[pct-l] Bear canister requirements in Seki for 2009... FYI update

[Stephen]

FWIY,
There's never been a bear storage locker along LaConte and thelat is at 
Woods Creek as you noted. There is one right along the trail on the right 
and another at a lower camp to the left and down just before you cross the 
suspension bridge.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <enyapjr at comcast.net>
To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 8:01 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Bear canister requirements in Seki for 2009... FYI update


> FYI / FWIW...
>
> Because the SIBBG webpage for Seki states bear canisters "...will be 
> required throughout both parks in 2009",
> but Seki's webpage states "It is likely that a formal requirement to use 
> these containers throughout all of the park
> wilderness area...  ...as early as 2009", I emailed Gregg Fauth, Seki 
> Wilderness Coordinator, with some questions...
>
> "...answers to your questions are provided below - they are not wholly 
> definitive, but these issues are being discussed
> in depth by park management and final decisions are yet to be made."
>
> Will bear canisters be required along the entire length of the PCT through 
> Seki (Siberian Outpost to Piute Pass trail)
> in 2009?
> "The issue of a parkswide canister requirement is still being discussed - 
> I suspect we will not have a final answer for
> 2009 until early April.  Please watch our website for any updates - 
> <www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/wilderness.htm>
> - Wilderness Food Storage link."
>
> The SIBBG/USFS Sierra Food Storage maps for 2007 and 2008 both show a 
> "bear box" symbol near the Bishop
> Pass trail in Le Conte Canyon (PCT mile 831), but neither the Seki bear 
> box webpage nor the climber.org bear box
> web pages show or list it...  Is there a 'public' bear box in Le Conte 
> Canyon, or is it mistakenly shown on the SIBBG
> maps (being a bear box solely for the Le Conte Ranger Station perhaps)?
> "There is no public food storage locker in the Le Conte area."
> (Note: the 2008 map does not show the Woods Creek crossing bear boxes (PCT 
> mile 801), but they are still on Seki's
> bear box page...  Another email sent for clarification and request to 
> ensure the 2009 map is corrected, if needed.)
>
> What will the status be for the "thru-hiker exemption" in 2009?  Reason 
> for asking - the last listed bear box (nobo on
> the PCT) is at Woods Creek crossing, PCT mile 801, whereas the northern 
> park boundary is at PCT mile 854 -
> 53 miles without a known public bear box...
> "The preferential status given to long distance through hikers is also 
> being discussed in concert with potential
> canister regulations."
>
> Will more bear boxes be made available North of Woods Creek crossing?  - 
> Or is the 'plan' to do away with the
> existing bear boxes (relying solely on bear canisters), and if so, how 
> soon?  Are any bear boxes currently on the
> PCT to be removed in 2009?
> "The long term status of food storage lockers is under discussion as well. 
> There is no plan to do away with
> existing lockers or to add any more, though there may be some case by case 
> removal of nonfunctional or
> unneeded lockers.  This is a complex issue and park management is weighing 
> the alternatives.  I would suspect
> that for the next few years they will generally remain status quo."
> (Note: wonder what the definition of "unneeded" will be?  If bear 
> canisters are 'required', then, theoretically, no public
> bear boxes will be 'needed'...  Asked for possible clarification in second 
> email - but do not necessarily expect a
> definitive answer any time soon.)
>
> Yosemite no longer permits 'hanging' food anywhere in the backcountry - 
> will Seki do likewise?
> "This directly relates to your first question and has the same answer."
>
> I'll pass along any other pertinent info as it is clarified...
> Happy trails!!!
> Jim / PITA
>
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