[pct-l] Bear cannisters, etc.

[jim at mccrain.net (Jim McCrain)]

Wacky Wack Wrote:
Hi everyone!
 
I am planning a JMT hike in september, but I have never hiked through areas with high bear activity, and Yosemite's reputation naturally makes me a bit apprehensive.
 
Has anyone rented a canister from the park service there?  Can you tell me please how wide its opening is, so I can plan for what food to bring?  What do you do with things like cooking pots and thebackpack - things that may potentially smell of food, although there is none inside.  I would like to keep them in my tent because I wouldn't want the backpack to remain outside, even on a tree.   
Would you recommend to get bear-spray?  If so, what brand/where to get it?  And lastly, if you can shed any light on how to bring a stove on an airplane, it would be great.  Last time I tried this, it was confiscated from me by the airline.  
 
Any other tips on the area are appreciated and welcome!

Dear WackyWack,
Please don't take offense at this, but since it is already September 1st,I can only hope that you are talking about hiking in September 2006.  Ifnot, then you are probably not goin to enjoy your trip very much.  You are askingquestions that should have been asked many months ago.  These questions arethe very basic questions needed to even begin planning a trip along the JMT.
This being said, here are a few answers:
You can rent the Garcia (heavy) cannister from almost any permit office along theJMT corridor.  (You DO have a permit, don't you?  They are required.  But then again,so is the use of bear cannisters.)  Some of the agencies also rent the "Bearikade."Most of the cannisters available are about nine inches across, or slightly less at the mouth.
Planning for food?  How many days are you going between resupply points?  Cooking pots must be very clean before you put them away at night.  If they don't fit in yourbear cannister, then you need to put them in a bear box.  (These are located strategicallyalong the JMT, in the "high use" "active bear" areas.)  Do the same with your stove.NEVER HAVE OPEN FOOD IN YOUR PACK!!  You WILL get food odor in it, and this WILL attract bears.Do NOT store anything with a food smell in your tent.  This WILL attract bears towards your tent!
Don't worry about bear spray.  You will be tasty enough without putting all of that seasoning on yourself.  (This is said in jest, as it has been shown that when people get nervous, they tend to either point the spray in the wrong direction or forget about little things like wind direction.)  Don't do anything to agravate the bear.  Remeber, if the bear doesget your food, he will then assume that it is now his!  He WILL fight to keep it.
Pack your stove with your checked baggage.  Do NOT try to carry any fuel with you.  Buyit when you get to your destination.  If you are carrying empty white gass fuel cannisters, make sure they are VERY empty and do not smell like fuel.
I am not trying to dissuade you from hiking the JMT.  I have done it many times, and look forward to going back next year.  Just make sure you do a LOT of research and planningBEFORE you decide to go.  This is a long and remote trail, and you had better be ready for any and all eventualities.  Good Luck and enjoy the hike!
Cheers!
Jim