Re: [pct-l] Lightweight Packs

[Brick Robbins <brick@ix.netcom.com>]

At 05:31 PM 8/28/98 -0700, Tom Reynolds wrote:
>
>I have hiked with a bear canister since 1988. This is about 200 days in the
>wilderness. I have been visited by bears 6 times. That's about a 3% chance.

Your "guesstamate" is based entirely on your 3% figure. That 3% figure is from your own personal experience, and is therefore a "sample of one" which is invalid for any kind of statistical analysis. Any conclusions derived from this number are highly suspect.

I have hiked extensively in the area you mentioned (which is only a very small portion of "California') with a California PCT through hike, and 3 JMT hikes, as well as numerous shorter trips. I have NEVER had my food taken. I have only watched bears actively trying to get food a few times.

Maybe I'm just smarter than you are when it comes to picking a campsite, but my "sample of one" would yield 0%, not 3%.

>You may have a humble opineon but I have facts.

You have NO facts. You have an "opineon" that you are trying to pass off as a fact.

Your original post said "In California one must carry a bear canister."

Your use of the word "must" implies that there is a legal requirement to use a bear canister in California. This is simply not the case. 

Cary an extra 2.5# of weight if you want to, but don't try to force me to do the same.

Hike Your Own Hike.

-Brick

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