[pct-l] Thru-Hikers and cans (was Scary bear story &nothanging food)

[dude at fastmail.ca (dude)]

I am offering alternative solutions, so don't call me "part of the 
problem".  That's an easy 'cop-out' response that dosn't solve the 
problem either.  

There are lots of other solutions:
- bigger fines for tourists who feed bears.
- more education for tourists
- bear boxes in areas with "problem" bears.
- allowing hikers to protect their food with weapons
- re-introducing hunting in certain areas
- forbid food in the backcountry.
- forbid backcountry travel completely.
- forbid overnight back country travel.
- re-engineer the bear can to be lighter and more compact
- put electric fences around problem backcountry camping areas.
- require all backcountry travelers to saok their food in habanero salsa

Obviously, many of these alternatives are in jest, but it serves the 
point that there ARE other options and we are not trying them.  You can 
call me "part of the problem" if you like, but I submit that there is 
nothing wrong with dissent and/or healthy debate.  What if our 
forfathers had never dissented against King Geroge?  

peace,
dude

 


> dude, dude, dude.
> 
> if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
> 
>> Why is this the *only* acceptable solution?  As long as I keep my
>> food away from da bears, haven't I complied
> 
> the cans are the only FAILSAFE way to keep the food away from the
> bears, and ignoring the requirement 'cause you like chasing bears
> around at 3:00 a.m. is up to you.  And when your methods fail come
> back to the list and tell us why, and how "geez, if I had a can that
> wouldn't have happened".
> 
> go bears,
> s.c.
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "dude" <dude@fastmail.ca>
> To: <scourtway@bpa-arch.com>
> Cc: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 2:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Thru-Hikers and cans (was Scary bear story
> ¬hanging food)
> 
> 
>>> you've written that like it's a bad thing 2 folks who are in charge
>>> of the area implemented the rule.  The fact remains that if everyone
>>> carried and properly stored their food in a can, the "bear problem"
>>> would go away.
>> 
>> Not True!  As I've stated before, as long as Joe Touron continues to
>> feed  the bears in Yosemite his gorp and candy bars, the problem will
>> continue.  What's worse is that after the bears in Yosemite valley
>> get bad due to Joe Touron, they "reward" the back country users by
>> relocating the bear to a backcountry area that is only accessed by
>> the people who do their best to keep food away from bears anyway.
>> 
>> 
>>> Smarter folks always have to adjust the way they do
>>> things due to the actions of the not so smart.
>> 
>> I agree.  This is just how the world works, but that doesn't mean
>> that we should just roll over and take the solution sthat is
>> presented to us as if it were gospel.  There is more than one way to
>> skin a cat.
>> 
>>> It's mandatory for a
>>> hiker to have a backpack if they go hiking for extended periods,
>> 
>> Says who?  I did the JMT in 2002 with a fanny pack only.
>> 
>>> the
>>> bear can should be considered essential equipment as well as soon as
>>> the bears come out of their dens for the summa' in the hot areas
>>> they've learned to take down hangs.
>> 
>> Why is this the *only* acceptable solution?  As long as I keep my
>> food away from da bears, haven't I complied?
>> 
>> 
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