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[at-l] Re: Cooking attracts Bears

kahlena wrote:
> 
> Robinson, Nancy wrote:A great story snipped...

Wow! What a time you guys had...
Maybe I'm wierd, but I'm jealous...lived in Pa all my life and have
never been able to get within 20-30yds of a bear.  Except for the ones
that get spotted and treed in town that is.

> If you like to camp with black bears remember this: Cooking attracts 
>bears.

At first read, this made sense to me...no flame intended.  In my quest
to reduce my pack weight so I can do more miles, I have been toying with
the idea of going back to a no-cook menu.  Allthough I have carried a 
stove..gotta have my coffee) I really did not spend too much time or 
effort on cooking.  A typical three day would be fueled by
bread, butter, salami, cheese, PB,Ritz,cream cheese, smoked salmon, 
tuna, pretzels, nuts, fruit and CHOCOLATE.  But the thought of eating 
this stuff month after month on a thru did not appeal to me, so I have 
spent the last six months or so developing dehyd-meals and have turned 
into an adeqate camp cook.  (make a mean chili!!!)  

Now I realize the bennies of a good hot meal and am reluctant to go
back to the no cook regiem.

Anyway...back to your point.  If you look at my menu above, I think
these things would be smelly enough to attract the bear you mentioned
without cooking them.. Perhaps, steam does carry the scent farther
but I'm not sure why it would.  Also you wrote:

> We stopped at the Horseshoe trail junction to eat a few snacks
> when off to the right on the yellow trail we heard crashing and 
>thrashing.

Unless these snacks were cooked, it seems your second encounter proves
my point...hikers attract bears....whether they cook or not.

So to change rule number one....
Don't eat...it attracts bears...Rice cakes only..the plain ones..even 
bears have standards  <<<VBG>>>

Great story....thanks for sharing!!!			Kahley
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