[pct-l] deodorant/mothballs

[Edward Anderson]

Alexandria,

Reinhold mentioned mothballs. He's right. That's one odor that repels bears rather than attracting them. I have used them in bear country for about 20 years. I used them during my ride (by horse) of the PCT. I first learned of them from friends who are canoeists and who have taken several trips in Alaska and the Yukon. In parts of the Yukon, I was told, that moth balls in cotton tobacco sacks (2 or 3 in each) are called "bear charms". I usually carry about 20 of these. I store them in an OpSak when not in use. I also store my food and my horse's processed food in OpSaks and am careful not to get food smells on the outside of the sacks. At night I surround my saddle and saddle bags and all of the food sacks with bear charms. I also surround my tent at a distance of about 10 feet. I would like to point out that, while bears are repelled by moth balls, rodents are not. Fortunately, not even rodents can smell food stored inside an OpSak.
Have a great hike - and leave out the deodorant. Sweat is the smell of honor on the PCT. 
MendoRider



--- On Sat, 4/3/10, Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net> wrote:

> From: Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>
> Subject: [pct-l]  deodorant
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net, aalarsen at uwalumni.com, "Hiker97" <hiker97 at aol.com>, "patti kulesz" <peprmintpati88 at yahoo.com>
> Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010, 10:30 AM
> Alexandra,
> Bears are attracted to odors and they do not discriminate
> against cosmetics.
> You will be a favorite target.
> You might be better of sticking a moth ball into each
> ear(just kidding).
> Bears do not like moth ball odor.
> The moth ball odor will overpower your body odor and even
> keep the moth away.
> Sleep tight, for you need not fear the bears tonight.
> 
> JMT Reinhold
> -------------------------
> Alexandra wrote:
> 
> random question maybe, but does anyone bother bringing
> deodorant on the
> trail? I find it hard to imagine life without it, but my
> boyfriend is of the
> opinion that it really won't make a difference, and I'm
> starting to worry he
> might be right!
> Any input is appreciated!
> 
> Alexandra
> 
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