[pct-l] Winter Climbers and Any Thrill Seeker!!

[csiechert@hotmail.com (Carl Siechert)]

> Why don't these "problem" areas install bear boxes in the popular
campsites?  I Hiked from Tahoe to

I agree; that would solve a lot of problems. My guess (and it's only a
guess) is that there are two reasons:

* Budget. NPS and USFS recreation budgets are way down from the days when
they put in all those picnic tables and other accoutrements you mentioned. I
know that in SEKI, some of the bear boxes are paid for the Sequoia Fund
(formerly Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Foundation). But I think
it's a low priority item even for them.

* Wilderness. What with trails, signs, and campsites already in place, I
know a lot of people wouldn't agree that bear boxes detract from the
wilderness experience. (In fact, they may enhance it: you won't see the
blight of shredded food packages scattered about, stuff sacks and abandoned
ropes in trees, and Tom's dayglo bear canisters.) But I think I heard that
rationale given as the reason there aren't bear boxes in Yosemite back
country.


That still doesn't solve the problem for those of us who travel cross
country and prefer to avoid those popular campsites--but I think it'd be a
huge step in the right direction.