[pct-l] bear bagging

Sun Jan 2 09:50:29 CST 2011

I can say first hand that throwing rocks at bears does not always make them leave, even a direct hit between the eyes. In that case I finally made the decision to charge the bear. I ran directly at it screaming as loud as I could and chased it a quarter mile. It worked, but could have worked out VERY badly. A bear in that same area injured a hiker the following year. Don't try this yourself. That was in 1997.

As for bear canister approvals, at least two manufacturers have had to redesign their products because bears got food from them because of user error. Not closing the lid correctly led to making lids easier to close. Using a bear canister as a pot to boil water in led to reinforcements in case joints failed as well as instructions not to do that. Product weight increased. In all cases the canister would have worked fine but the approval agency catered to the lowest common denominator asking that the canisters be as fool proof as possible.

AsABat
PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
Send water updates to water at 4jeffrey.net
-- 
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

"Kevin" <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi Melanie
>
>Here is the latest update from Ursack. I wish they would approve them.
>The weight difference is huge. I think the agencies managing the
>backcountry are not taking into account the hikers when making their
>decisions about what is acceptable food protection. Yes, a bear could
>probably get into an Ursack eventually. Do we need the 100%
>impenetrability of a rigid container? I don't think so, but it's not up
>to me. I hung my food for many years without trouble. Ill probably have
>a canister between KM and Echo Lakes, but it's not by choice. 
>
>http://www.ursack.com/ursack-update.htm
>
>I haven't yet decided to borrow, rent, or buy. I'm still hoping the
>Ursack will be approved for the small sections it's not yet allowed.
>What they aren't taking into consideration is how important my food is
>to me! They base their tests on allowing a bear unlimited attempts to
>get the food. When I hear the bear trying to get my food, you can be
>sure I will defend it! When I used to hang my food, I would put a pile
>of "bear rocks" next to me at night. I have yet to meet a bear that
>thinks my food is worth getting pelted with rocks. They will just move
>on to an easier reward. Bears are big, but they still retreat when you
>throw stones. Now that I think about it, I bet that would work for
>pesky rangers asking about me bear can. ;) I'm kidding about that last
>part, but it does make a point. HEHE
>
>I will reluctantly comply with the regulations, even if I don't like
>them. 
>
>
>Misspellings and typos brought to you by iPhone.
>
>On Jan 1, 2011, at 8:00 PM, Melanie Clarke <melaniekclarke at gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>> Dear PCT, or Chuck,
>> 
>> Why is the Ursack illegal?  I loved the Ursack.
>> 
>> Melanie
>> 
>> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 6:24 PM, CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net>
>wrote:
>> 
>>> Good evening, Mike,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> It is very rare to see any PCT hiker bag/hang food – anywhere. 
>Doing so is
>>> not allowed as a substitute for using an approved bear ‘can in
>designated
>>> areas.  The last time I bagged/hung food was on an Ontario canoe
>trip many
>>> years ago.  Usually I ditch the ‘can at Echo Summit south of Lake
>Tahoe,
>>> but
>>> once I did carry a non-approved Ursack for a while north of there
>because
>>> there were some curious bears in that general area.  Even then I
>didn't
>>> hoist it up; I just tethered it at ground level to a small tree.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On the remainder of the PCT north there are lots of bears but they
>keep
>>> their heads down and a hiker will be lucky to see one.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Steel-Eye
>>> 
>>> Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
>>> 
>>> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>>> 
>>> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 5:16 PM, Michael Pinkus
><mikepinkus at hotmail.com
>>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Hi All,
>>>> So, bear cannisters are required on some parts of the trail, I'm
>assuming
>>>> that you bear bag it on the rest of the trail? I only ask this as
>I've
>>> never
>>>> read anything about it anywhere. We bear bag everywhere here in
>Canada
>>>> unless you are camping when they're hibernating.
>>>> 
>>>> anyone?
>>>> 
>>>> cheers,
>>>> Mike
>>>> 
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