[pct-l] new thru-hiker bear question

[Slyatpct@xxxxxxx (Slyatpct@xxxxxxx)]

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In a message dated 2/9/2003 9:21:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,
reynolds@ilan.com writes:

> I agree that a thruhiker [not me] can reach Red's Meadow from before Tully
> Hole and reach Donahue pass from Agnew meadow thus not camping in the bear
> canister zone. On the other hand what is the big deal of carrying an extra
> 1
> pound 12 ounces for 100 of a 2700 mile trip? That's more foolish.
>

Tom, I think your bear phobia or thru-hiker envy is getting the best of you.
If a thru-hiker can reach either bear boxes or resorts, why should they carry
a bear cannister?


> In general the extended hiking range of a thruhiker allows him/her to
> rationally and logically, if not legally, plan the hike thru bear territory
> to avoid bear activity

  Therefore, sleeping with your food is a crutch for those thruhikers who can
> but will not protect the safety of the rest of us.
>

Generally most thru-hikers only sleep with their food when it's safe and/or
not required.

> If I had my way I would hand out jail terms for thruhikers sleeping with
> their food but let slide the thruhiker who stealth camps and simply hangs
> his/her food bag from a convient bush. If the bear comes the thruhiker's
> haking range allows a quick resupply.

Just where would you restrict and jail thru-hikers from sleeping with their
food?  I'll agree it's foolish for a thru-hiker, or anyone else for that
matter, to sleep with their food when there's a storage device nearby.

Sly