[pct-l] Bear Canisters

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon, Dan,



Reserving a bear ‘can for pick-up at Hiker Heaven is an established,
reliable method which does not impose a per-package charge – many thanks
Donna – but it does necessitate carrying the darn thing an extra 250 miles
to where it is ruled necessary.   Having a ‘can shipped to you at Kennedy
Meadows -- a major resupply point -- is convenient, and 250 miles closer,
but one must pay a per-package charge; probably one charge for the normal
resupply box plus a separate package charge to receive the ‘can.  The extra
charge isn’t a big deal; maybe a round of beers.



If you resupply from home one option is to have a ‘can sent to you there
before you depart, so it can be included with your resupply box to Kennedy
Meadows.  The charge for Priority Mail boxes is flat-rate based upon volume
rather than weight so if the ‘can is sent to KM stuffed full of food it will
only occupy a small additional volume. I’ve done that with my Garcia, both
to myself and to those to whom I’ve loaned the ‘can, and it’s worked well.



A corollary advantage to that method is one can spend some time at home
practicing packing the thing so you won’t waste time on the porch of the KM
General Store wondering how you’re going to get two pounds into a one-pound
sack.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 11:18 AM, dan kayser <yoyodadio at msn.com> wrote:

>
> I am planning my 2011 thru hike and I am wondering what is the best method
> for traveling through areas requiring bear canisters.  1) Buy from BearVault
> then send home when finished 2) Rent a bear canister 3) Do with out.  I
> would prefer to avoid using a bear canister if at all possible.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
>
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