[pct-l] Thoughts on Bear Spray

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

Definitely unnecessary weight. Having ranched in Grizzly country around 
Yellowstone, I've carried it abut now no longer consider it. Carry instead 
no-weight knowledge of where bears are apt to be when and then be somewhere 
else. Learn not to cook where you sleep, not to sleep with your food, etc. 
For the spray to be effective, the bear has to be very close to you. Even 
blinded they can do a lot a damage thrashing around. Better to avoid the 
encounter in the first place.

Murphy says that the one time you will want it, you will be seaprated from 
it and unable to reach it anyway.

The only place you might consider it - assuming you are really scared of 
bears and not confident in your ability to avoid them - would be north of 
Stehekin, That is the southern-most extent of the Grizzly's range. If that's 
the case, you're better off staying out of bear country.

Wandering Bob



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "shane wohlken" <darkbodhi@yahoo.com>
To: "PCTA-L" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 11:03 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Thoughts on Bear Spray


> Just curious if those who have done all or parts
> of the PCT feel bear spray is an essential pack
> item, or simply unnecessary weight?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Shane
>
>
>
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