[pct-l] Bear Canisters, continued...

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

> It looks like hiking from Kennedy Meadows to VVR in one go (i.e., not doing
> Kearsage Pass / Lone Pine) will take somewhere from 10-12 days. If that's
> accurate, it would appear the only viable bear canister option would be the
> Bearikade Expedition, which, at 900 cubic inches, is the only option that
> can hold more than 7 person-days of food.Yes, "however", a bear canister is not 'required' until Cottonwood Pass, PCT mile ~750 (47 mi. past KM) -
so that two or three days of food can be outside of your canister...
Seki still honors the "thru-hiker exemption", though they do not advertise it - thrus (with a valid permit) can utilize 
the backcountry 'bear boxes' for the first two or three nights - so that food can be outside your canister, as long as 
it is "within arms reach" while hiking (must be "properly stored" in canister and/or bear box while 'camping')...

One can make it through from KM to VVR 'legally' with a Garcia, Weekender, or BV500 if one so chooses...
One can also select dense, high calorie foods to pack in your canister - think rice & bean powder over
macaroni; you don't want to pack 'air' to maximize the volume usage of the canister...

Happy trails!!!
Jim (PITA)