[pct-l] Thoughts on Bear Spray

[elee at microsoft.com (Eric Lee (GAMES))]

Shane wrote:
>
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?
>

On the PCT it's definitely unnecessary weight (IMHO).  Black bears in
that area may be geniuses at stealing food but they're not known for
initiating aggression against people.  Well, reasonable people, anyway.
As has been said here before, once a bear gets your food it's no longer
your food, it's his food, and you'd be wise to let him keep it.

It's considerably more debatable whether bear spray is worth carrying in
grizzly bear country, but that's beside the point since the PCT isn't
grizzly country.

Eric