[pct-l] ice axe and (oh no!) bear can

[medusaj at aol.com (medusaj@aol.com)]

So, specifically, you'd mail your packages to Kennedy Meadows General Store and mail them home from Echo Lake Resort, carrying those two items for a total of around 400 miles.  (I'm working from the big guidebook here, so forgive me if my details are sketchy.)  Is that correct?  And this is the stretch commonly referred to as the "Sierra Nevada"?
 
Also, I'm aware (from some source) that there are actually *two* Kennedy Meadows.  Is that correct?  Where's the other one?  Or do I have the wrong one?
 
Last question, and I apologize for bringing up the number one taboo topic:  Where is the most convenient, and economical, place to rent a bear canister?  I really don't mean to open up a whole new can (ha!) of worms here, but there's a reason that this gets brought up, and the reason is that new thru-hikers need to know about it.  If someone has a concise document somewhere with all the regulations, etc, (ie. "Sierra Bear Canister Regulations and What To Do About Them") or can refer me to a place in the archives or on the web where that could be found, I'd really appreciate it.
 
I've been following the list for a while and so far I've mainly seen arguments on the topic with fragments of information here and there.  I understand that bear canisters are needed to protect both the bears AND ourselves, and I've decided to do the responsible thing and figure out how to carry one.
 
Marzipan
AT04
 
 
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 16:40:52 -0500
From: Gary Wright <at2002@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] ice axe
To: George Ackerman <gea5775@yahoo.com>
Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Message-ID: <ab6f9cd838b9dd5ddbbf666db75af205@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed


On Mar 17, 2005, at 9:57 AM, George Ackerman wrote:
> Also where do we actually have to start using the bear canister?

Same as the ice axe, Kennedy Meadows to Echo Lake.

There are a wide variety of rules regarding bear canisters
in the wilderness/forest/national park areas on this section but
it isn't worth worrying about all those details if you decide
to carry the canister.  Just use it throughout this section.

Note:  This is not the only section with bears!  Just the only
section with bear canister rules.
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 16:40:52 -0500
From: Gary Wright <at2002@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] ice axe
To: George Ackerman <gea5775@yahoo.com>
Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Message-ID: <ab6f9cd838b9dd5ddbbf666db75af205@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed


On Mar 17, 2005, at 9:57 AM, George Ackerman wrote:
> Also where do we actually have to start using the bear canister?

Same as the ice axe, Kennedy Meadows to Echo Lake.

There are a wide variety of rules regarding bear canisters
in the wilderness/forest/national park areas on this section but
it isn't worth worrying about all those details if you decide
to carry the canister.  Just use it throughout this section.

Note:  This is not the only section with bears!  Just the only
section with bear canister rules.