[pct-l] Re: Bear Cans (the diameter)

[dencisco at eos.arc.nasa.gov (Dave Encisco)]

Sorry I really haven't been following this thread because to me it's
much like setting a speed limit: either you obey or you don't obey,
your call.

Nevertheless, since they're now close to being mandated at all major
trail heads in the Sierra National Parks (and soon to be so for Sierra
National Forests I'm told), I decided to dig out the Bearikade I
purchased four years ago; which I've never used, and decided to start
carrying it this year.  My climbing partner continues to carry his
Ursack to defy the regulation (he's a registered Libertarian).

So, when I found that my Bearikade was recalled I sent it back to Wild
Ideas and they actually replaced it (for $25...but it was recalled!),
I asked Allen why the diameter of the can had to be so wide. Just an
inch less would allow me to easily slip the can into my pack; an inch
and half less would be ideal! Allen told me that his "...tooling for
table rolling of the cylinders has a fixed diameter. This diameter was
chosen to defeat Grizzly Bears which have a very wide jaw extent. The
Bearikade is used in both Grizzly and Black Bear territories."

Therefore the beef I have with the canister is: why do I have to
purchase a can that's Grizzly Bear proof? Why can't I just purchase a
can that's Black Bear proof? Secondly, why does the can even have to
pass the Grizzly or Polar Bear test at all? Are they planning to
reintroduce the Grizzly back into the Sierra? That would certainly
take care of the black bear population. No, this is just another big
hammer (or big bear) approach. Not an exemplary example of good
science.

No bite, just a bark.

Dave