[pct-l] Sleeping with food everywhere except the Sierra???

[Stephen Adams]

For my own peace of mind I've replaced my old nylon stuff sacks with one Ursack to carry all my food stuffs in when hiking outside the canister restrictions.  I think canisters are pretty much the norm now in the Sierra.  
As a side note, On my recent Fall trek in the Sierra I used the Ursack, and was really glad I had some protection as I was really surprised at the amount of bear sign I was seeing in the high country.  I saw tracks on every pass including Taboose, Cartridge, and Mather, as well as along most of the trail I used, high or low.  
I've hiked now with the Ursack a few times in areas I don't worry too much about and have never known of any bear problems where canisters are not required.  Probably slept a little easier.  I've used nothing but my regular sleeping bag stuff sacks for most of the last twelve years without any issues, but I can say I've worried a few times even though I'm hella good at countering the sacks.  I rarely stayed below 11,000 feet but sooner or later i've had to to complete some big loop hikes.  
I have also used the hideous ABS black canisters.  Gosh I hate carrying those things.  But the bottom line there, and I think this is really important, you can throw down and camp, or wander around anywhere and not worry about being hassled by bears or the man. There is actually a sense of freedom involved with using a canister.  Still have to be careful not to place them where they can be knocked away and gone down a creek or ledge.        
On Dec 6, 2009, at 10:35 AM, dsaufley wrote:

> Remember, the point is to save the bears, not the appeasement of rangers.
> When you get down to it, the rangers are all about saving the bears. 
> 
> Attitude is everything, and it can make one's load easier to bear (pardon
> the pun).
> 
> L-Rod
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Brett Cosner
> Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 10:11 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Sleeping with food everywhere except the Sierra???
> 
> Ok so I'm sure food storage topics are discussed often, but I wanted to hear
> an informal poll on the following.
> 
> I'm getting the impression that most thru-hikers sleep with their food
> without incident.  When in the Sierra they do this at stealth camps.
> 
> On my sobo hike this summer I'm thinking of keeping my food with me at night
> until I reach Sonora Pass where I will be picking up a canister.   I'll use
> the canister through Kennedy Meadows to appease rangers and be responsible. 
> 
> 
> How did you store food?  Did anyone experience a bear taking food that they
> slept with, or getting a ticket for not carrying a canister?  How was your
> experience???
> 
> Thanks
> Brett
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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