[pct-l] Stealth camping

[Paul.C.Griffith at bankofamerica.com (Griffith, Paul C)]

Speaking of cannisters:  I found that my new Garcia just fits in the bottom of both my GVP G5 and my Golite Breeze.  While it weighs 2.75 pounds, that's not much more than a full water bottle.  In the well-watered Sierras next month, my pack will still be a lot lighter than it was hauling five quarts thru SoCal last month.  Maybe I'll smear some cheese whiz on it so I can watch the bears bat it around ;-)  I expect total pack weight with 6 days resupply will still be under 20 pounds.  For me, it's worth the weight to not worry about rangers, bear boxes, eating a Snickers at night, or, of course, bears.  (I know the Bearikade Weekender is almost a pound lighter, but it's $195 - the difference is close to my $10 an ounce rule for weight reduction, but I seldom need to carry a cannister).  I tend to hike until either I or my batteries burn out, then lie down and sleep - no time to hang food, search for boxes, or find the perfect stealth site.  It seems odd to carry the can when all my other gear is so minimal, but for me, I'd rather not worry about it.  Maybe after doing one Sierra trip I'll know better whether I can do without it. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Courtway [mailto:scourtway@bpa-arch.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 8:47 AM
To: Nancy Sexton; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Stealth camping


greetings,

I just wanted to add one thought to my half light hearted dire bear warning
:
IMO, stealth camping on your trek is the difference between hiding from
bears,
eyes shifting as you crash through trees looking for that stealth grotto
with the bed
of soft pine needles we all read about, hearing bears around every tree....

or

carrying a light cannister and camping at beautiful lakes and majestic
meadows
with the views everybody treks into the sierra to enjoy, without a care in
the world
about bears, even, a bring 'em on attitude !!!

blackie did not read THE PCT THRUHIKER'S HANDBOOK.

Steve



----- Original Message -----
From: "Nancy Sexton" <pumpkin1@thegrid.net>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 7:21 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Stealth camping


> Hi everyone,
> We are planning to stealth camp on our hike from Tahoe to Mt. Whitney, but
having never done it, I have a question. How far off trail do we need to go
to avoid bears? Do we just need to be quite a ways from the nearest
established campsite and a little ways off trail? Any hints for locating a
good stealth site? There are three of us, with three tents, so we will need
to find fair sized sites. What about above tree-line--are there any soft,
comfortable places? Thanks for your help--I don't know how we would have
prepared for this hike without the list!
> Nancy, for The Women who Run with the Chipmunks
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l