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[pct-l] whoa, whoa!! Sierra Food Storage
Yes, that is correct. If you use the bear boxes you do not need to carry a bear canister. Of course, individual Rangers may have their own idea of what is/is not required.
Interpreting the regulations is tricky. Following is a copy of what I've currently printed in my book regarding Sierra food storage. I've hesitated to post this on PCT-L, because Sierra food storage is one of *those* topics which I stay far, far away from. Hopefully, this thread won't get too far out of hand. Please note that my recommendations are for NORTHBOUND PCT THRU-HIKERS, not for any other hikers at any other time of the season. Okay, here's the excerpt from the book:
----------------------------------------
Sierra Food Storage
In some National Parks, hikers are required to use bear canisters to store food overnight. Every few months this topic is heavily debated on PCT-L, and I?ve never seen a clear answer that says: "between point A and point B on the PCT, hikers are required to use bear canisters." The areas in question seem to be Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park: http://www.nps.gov/seki/snrm/wildlife/food_storage.htm
Yosemite National Park: http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/bfoodstorage.htm
Sierra bears and food storage: http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/index.htm
SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
The PCT enters Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park at mile 753.3 and exits Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park at mile 854.4.
As of September 2005, the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park website (listed above) shows the following information regarding food storage regulations in the Park (I have added the italics):
"Through hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail with a valid wilderness permit must use portable, park approved, bearproof food storage containers or camp at sites with food storage lockers and use the lockers. "
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
The PCT enters Yosemite National Park at mile 929.0 (Donohue Pass) and exits Yosemite National Park at mile 998.1 (Dorothy Lake Pass).
As of September 2005, the Yosemite National Park website (listed above) shows the following information regarding food storage regulations in the Park (I have added the italics):
"You must store food in a bear canister:
? Within seven linear miles of any park road
? Above 9600 feet
? Within ? mile of the shoreline of Benson Lake
This requirement does not apply to food that?s being transported or eaten."
MY INTERPRETATION OF THE REGULATIONS
I am not an expert on this and my word is not the law. However, based upon the statements which I have italicized, it seems clear to me that if you are in an area that requires a canister, it is required if you are CAMPING in that area, NOT if you are HIKING THROUGH that area.
NO CANISTER HIKING STRATEGY
If you are not carrying a canister AND you are in an area which requires a canister, plan your days so that you camp where there are bear boxes. A bear box is a large, heavy metal box which a bear cannot open or move.
753.3 ENTER SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
760.3 Bear Box - Rock Creek Crossing
766.3 Bear Box - Crabtree Meadows
Bear Box - Crabtree Ranger Station (this is on the Mt Whitney side trip)
770.4 Bear Box - Wallace Creek and High Sierra Trail Junction
774.3 Bear Box - (approximate mileage) - 10-15 minutes before Tyndall Creek
775.0 Bear Box - Shepherd Pass Trail / Tyndall Creek
784.5 Bear Box - Center Basin Trail
Bear Box - between Center Basin Trail and Vidette Meadow
787.3 Bear Box - Vidette Meadow
788.0 Bear Box - Junction Up Bubbs Creek
790.2 Bear Box - Charlotte Lake (off the PCT)
794.8 Bear Box - Rae Lakes
796.7 Bear Box - Arrowhead Lake
800.8 Bear Box - Woods Creek
854.4 LEAVE SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
929.0 ENTER YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
942.7 Bear Box - Tuolumne Meadows Campground
948.7 Bear Box - Glen Aulin
998.1 LEAVE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Mile 800.8 to 854.4 ? the last 54 miles of Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP ? is where the problem lies. There are no bear boxes that I know of along this stretch of trail. It?s also a very remote section of trail containing three difficult passes: Pinchot, Mather, and Muir. I would be surprised if you saw a Ranger in this section during northbound PCT thru-hiker season. You?ll probably see signs of bear in the lower elevation of these 54 miles, especially in the Evolution Valley area after Muir Pass.
Once you enter Yosemite, you?re good to go because the regulations state that bear canisters are only required above 9600 feet. The trail drops below 9600 feet many times in the 50 miles between Glen Aulin and the northern Park border. If you run into a Ranger, simply state that you?ll camp below 9600 feet and hang your food. You better know how to hang food and have a food rope in your pack to prove it!
In 2001-2002-2003, I never saw a bear in the Sierra. I did see a Ranger each year. Each time, the Ranger stopped to talk to me, asked what I was doing for food storage, and went on his/her way. Every time, I did not have a bear canister with me. Perhaps I was lucky to not be issued a ticket. Other hikers I knew were not so lucky.
I heard from several 2004 northbound PCT hikers that the bears were very active in the Sierra in 2004 and that the Rangers were very aggressive in issuing tickets. My advice to hikers who choose not to carry a bear canister is this: Choose your campsites carefully. Double-bag your food bag with a couple garbage bags. If you see a Ranger, DO NOT show any thru-hiker attitude. Be polite and friendly. Ask them about trail conditions (people of authority LOVE the chance to be the person "in the know"). When they ask what you?re doing for food storage, begin by stating that you never camp where you cook. You cook dinner a couple hours before camping and then look for a stealth site ? a place where it appears nobody has camped before.
Bears are creatures of habit. They will return to locations where they have obtained food in the past. The Rangers are trying to protect the bears. A fed bear is a dead bear. If you can show the Ranger that you?re doing everything possible to NOT attract bears AND that you are aware of the regulations, he/she may show some leniency.
One last thing: I recommend printing the Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP and Yosemite NP regulations from the web addresses listed above. Carry the regulations with you. The Yosemite Rangers are the aggressive ones. The Yosemite regulations CLEARLY state that you do not need a bear canister in Yosemite IF you use lockers and camp below 9600 feet. If the "be nice to the Ranger" strategy I outlined in the previous paragraphs does not work, then show them your copy of the regulations.
----------------------------------------
yogi
www.pcthandbook.com
Mike Saenz <msaenz@mve-architects.com> wrote:
"BearVault 110b and 200
Visit www.bearvault.com for product details and contact information or
call Tel / Fax 866-301-3442
September 12, 2005 -- The SIBBG has not rescinded approval of the
BearVault, BUT it is not allowed in the Rae Lakes area of Kings Canyon
National Park - until further notice. One or more bears have figured out
how to open the BearVault - and have opened at least eight canisters. It
may be only the earlier version that is the problem - the SIBBG and the
manufacturer are looking into the problem. In the meantime, we are
asking hikers to either use a different type of canister or use a
locker. "
whoa, Whoa, WHOA! Does this mean SIBBG will allow storage in the boxes
IN LIEU of carrying a can????
Shweeeet!
TIC...
Michael Saenz, Associate Partner
McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e | P l a n n i n g | I n t e r i o r s
MVE MVE Institutional MVP International
w w w . m v e - a r c h i t e c t s . c o m
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of bearvault
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 7:24 AM
To: 'john coyle'; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Re: Bearvault
John the SIBBG has updated their web site with information on this area;
visit
http://www.sierrawildbear.net/foodstorage/approvedcontainers.htm
Currently it looks like this bear(s) has opened only the BV200/110B
models; although there have been a few failures of the newer BV250/300
models which are (mostly) attributed to not fully closing the lid; we
rely on the people telling us whether or not they closed the lid
correctly. These failure are so far limited to this one area.
We will look into how we can make the BV250/300 models even stronger
during the off season; as well as tackle the issue of lids not being
closed correctly due to slightly oversized lids.
Jamie
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of john coyle
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 9:29 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Re: Bearvault
On Sept 14th Mike Saenz wrote:
I assume Fisher is well fed under supervision of a
veterinarian/nutritionist and may not be as motivated as the Vidette
bear. Some (both on this List and on the trail) have speculated that,
since the bear can see thru the BearVault, he's more tenacious in his
efforts to open them. One guy on the trail last week suggested that we
spray paint our BearVaults so the bears can't see the goodies inside.
Not sure if this is a valid idea or not...
I hope your comment, John, regarding capturing the Vidette bear and
keeping him in a zoo is tongue in cheek.
It would be a shame to punish the critter for being clever. I know I'd
rather live in Vidette Meadow than in a zoo...
Mike- You're right, my comment was mostly meant to be tongue in cheek
and basically making fun of Fisher's container busting abilities. If
the Vidette bear continues with this behavior, and I see no reason why
it wouldn't, probably the best solution would be to re-locate it to a
remote wilderness area where it no longer comes in contact with people
and their containers. Of course, there is always the possiblity that it
would migrate back to its original area. I hope this bear is not a
female because then it would teach the behavior to its cubs which would
start a whole chain reaction of container popping.
The Bearvault people are not going to like hearing this, and I know they
moniter this list, but last weekend at the Sacramento REI on Exposition
blvd. I overheard one saleperson discouraging folks from buying
Bearvaults due to this situation. There are actually three REIs within
twenty miles of me; I live in a REI Bermuda triangle, except instead of
airplanes and ships, my money disappears with alarming frequency to buy
hiking gear!
I have a Bearvault, I like the product, the Bearvault people seem
ethical, surely they can re-design the container to prevent it from
deforming when it's laid on its side under pressure. They must be
working on it now.
John Coyle
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