[pct-l] Bear Spray

[Bob Bankhead]

Realistically speaking, the trail from Red's Meadow/Thousand Island Lake through Lyell Canyon in Yosemite is the only place on the PCT where you might actually have to use bear spray (if you get careless). I suspect the NPS will soon have to implement a permit system for bears wanting to invade campsites and picnic baskets.

To me, Yosemite has always been the outlier in National Park policies, at least here in the West. However, given the number of apparently clueless, uncaring, and/or inconsiderate visitors with which they have to deal each year, I can understand the ultra-conservative stance taken by park management. There are simply too many people jammed into too tight a space, all competing for a limited amount of resources. That leads to all kinds of anti-social behavior.



-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Julia Haskin
Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2016 10:34 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear Spray

Follow-up: bear spray is prohibited in Yosemite, as it’s classed as an “other weapon”. That’s probably where the confusion is coming in. :-) (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weapons.htm <http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/weapons.htm>)