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

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

Actually there is a small bear box in Le Conte Canyon and has been for some time - but it has always been for the sole use of the Le Conte Ranger Station (and it's hidden well off the trail about 70 yards from the RS location, IIRC)...  There isn't and never has been a PUBLIC bear box on the PCT/JMT North of Woods Creek (in Seki), however...  Just trying to get Seki/SIBBG/USFS/whoever to change the info before the 2009 map is released (plus correct the 'missing' Woods Creek crossing bear boxes not shown on the '08 map, too)...

Thanks.  Happy trails!!!
Jim / PITA

----- Original Message -----

From: Stephen 

To: enyapjr at comcast.net, pct-l 

Sent: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:30:22 +0000 (UTC)

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



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: 

To: "pct-l" 

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 - 

> 

> - 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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