[pct-l] Bears

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon,

For those not familiar with “black bears”, first they are not always black.
In fact, along most of California’s PCT they will probably be light brown
or very blond – like a Labrador retriever dog.  Real black “black bears”
are increasingly found in N. Cal, and through Oregon and Washington.  I
mention that because someone seeing a tawny flash of fur through the brush
could easily believe they’ve seen a cougar.

Bears don’t want hikers, bears want hikers’ food.  They are timid and will
avoid people who maintain control that food.  However, if a bear does get
his paws on a food sack – literally and figuratively – they will then
defend what is now “their” food so it’s best not to try to take it back
from them.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=265401
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=167914

Except within the SIBBG controlled area I sleep with my food sacks.  Once I
did carry one of my Ursacks for a while – one without the metal liner --
but quickly gave up on the idea as too heavy and not necessary.

Steel-Eye

-Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

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

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/