[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [pct-l] JMT permits

On Sat, 16 May 1998 20:49:34 EDT RavingUU <RavingUU@aol.com> writes:
>anyone know if its still possible to get a permit for the mt.whitney
zone for
>late august/early september?

They (the concessionaire) told me two months ago that all the permits
were reserved then thru Sept 2; Howeve-er, people do cancel etc. Here's
the toll-free reservation # for the latest low-down ( wait on the line to
talk to a Real Person): 1-888-374-3773. BTW, I've had luck just walking
into the Lone Pine RS mid-week (especially in dubious weather) and asking
for/getting a lest-minute cancellation permit; not a good idea if you're
absolutely wedded to going up Whitney, however....

>also, whats the deal on these "required" bear cannisters? "required"
meaning
>you get kicked out if you dont have one, or that you get a pat on the 
>head from the inyo rangers? is stealth camping not a possibility bc of
this?

   Jeremy, I expected better of you, sigh...
    Canisters (rather than proper hanging/bear boxes/defending food) are
required only in certain areas now - the one I am sure of is from the
Kearsarge Pass TH (Onion Valley) to the Pass - there are bear boxes after
that, at the Kearsarge Lakes, Rae Lakes, Charlotte Lake etc. BTW, for
awhile earlier this year, somebody at the concessionaire was sticking ads
for an aluminum bear canister (you've probably read  ads for it on this
list,  too) in with the permits - until the FS got wind of it. The "new"
canisters cost a bit less than the Garcias (which can be rented lots of
places), but hold less stuff. They're not bear-tested at all, and Lone
Pine was livid about the implied endorsement.
    What you "get" if you don't keep your food from bears (that means
canisters in canister-only places) is a hefty fine; the District judge
has a "hanging-judge" rep - only a fool would want to mess with him.
There are rangers all over the Kearsarge Pass trail, since it's so
popular, and anybody on it (or near it - it's on a ridge or just below)
can be seen a long way off.; so much for planning on sneaking around
(oops, Stealth, sorry). Ditto the Whitney Trail - but I don't think
canisters are required. You *do* have to guard your food at all times; in
the past few years, bears have moved up past timberline because of the
easy pickings.          bj

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
* From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List | For info http://www.hack.net/lists *

==============================================================================