[pct-l] Bear Cannisters

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

Unfortunately, the Ursacks are not adequate protection from small critters.  There are stories on Trail Journals about Ursacks getting chewed through.  They can gnaw through with their razor sharp little teeth.  Here's what their website says in the FAQs:

"Is Ursack resistant to rodents, marmots, wolves, etc?
Ursack is highly effective against Marmots and raccoons. It should not be considered wolf or dog resistant. That's because they have sharp teeth and strong jaws. Bears have great strength, but their teeth are not sharp. Other rodents have varying degrees of success. Sometimes mice can chew very small holes, but very little of your food is likely to be taken. Some species of squirrels and (we have heard) pine martens have greater success, and may on rare occasion chew holes in Ursack."

Also, they sell Odor Proof ("OP") sacks, which are advertised as being 17,000 times more effective than regular plastics for blocking odors.  They're great for putting your cookset and smelly non-food items in that can't fit in your stuff sack.

Sounds like you are currently taking chances.  Not having food properly stored leads to bears that have to be shot. 

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
>Sent: Jun 26, 2008 6:26 AM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear Cannisters
>
>
>On Jun 25, 2008, at 8:18 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>
>>
>> The reason the Urasacks were not approved is because those crafty
>> Sequoia/Yosemite bears know how to defeat them.
>
>I only bought a small bear can thinking that would work, but my food  
>doesn't fit. I've been using an ursack since day one just in case any  
>squirrels or other rodents came along. I've been trying to put  
>wrappers and food I can afford to lose or that isn't as smelly in the  
>ursack and the rest in the bear can. It's the best I can do. I  
>haven't seen a bear or signs of a bear in the Sierras yet, except for  
>way back near Tehachapi. I have only gotten as far as Bishop Pass,  
>though.
>
>I'm planning to return to the trail this weekend, start at Mammoth  
>and take a nice detour on the JMT to Yosemite Valley. My hope is that  
>the popular camp sites will have bear boxes and I can use those in  
>this trouble area.
>
>I'm not trying to skirt the law. I just made a mistake in the size of  
>my can. A big one would have been better since they weigh the same,  
>but I didn't think I could fit a big one in my pack so I got the  
>small one.
>
>Anyway, after all that time spent hauling tons of water through  
>Southern California, a bear can weighs nothing.
>
>Diane
>
>
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