[pct-l] new thru-hiker bear question

[yogilists@xxxxxxxxxxx (yogi hicker)]

I don't mind doing this again.

Congratulations Rich on finally realizing your dream!!  The PCT is an
amazing experience, the scenery is beautiful, the people are fantastic.

What to do with your food:  Most (not all) thru-hikers that I've met sleep
with their food.  I don't remember ever seeing anyone hanging a bear bag
from a tree.  Some people use URSACKs.  The best thing to do is this:  cook
dinner a couple hours before you camp, then camp away from water, not at an
established campsite, and as high in elevation as you can.  Many hikers
collect a pile of rocks before going to bed, with the intention of throwing
the rocks to deter any bear from coming around.  Although I've put together
several rock piles, I've been lucky and never had a bear show up while I was
sleeping.

Bear canisters are required in the National Parks, I think, although very
few thru-hikers actually carry them.

Topics on this list seem to go in cycles.  If you look back through the
archives, you'll find a lot of information on a variety of topics.  Feel
free to email me off-list if that's easier.

yogi





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