[pct-l] Bear Canister requirement

[wjj2001@yahoo.com (AsABat)]

In trying to answer some of Joanne's questions, I've quoted PART of Inyo's
and SeKi's web pages (as of July 30, 2001) below.
The short answer is:
- Yes, bear cans are required on some parts of the PCT (see below).
- SeKi provides an exception for thru-hikers in some cases, if they camp at
and use bear boxes.
- Inyo does not appear to have any exceptions.
- There are approved panniers for horses which might take care of your horse
feed.
- I have read that leaving anything in a wilderness bear box other than
while camped there is prohibited, but can't find the cite. This would
include prohibiting food caches, trash, and left over corn pasta.

Hope this helps,
AsABat

--------------------------------------------------------------

INYO NATIONAL FOREST WILDERNESS FOOD STORAGE REGULATIONS
http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/inyo/vvc/bear/bear_wilderness_regs.htm

If you are starting from, exiting on or entering areas accessed by the
following trails on the Inyo National Forest, bear-resistant canisters for
backpackers and bear-resistant panniers for stock users are required from
May 25 through October 31.

Be aware, any trail may lead to areas where a canister is required depending
on the itinerary of your trip.  Check for food storage requirements before
your trip by looking at the maps below or calling a Forest Service Ranger
Station.

Rush Creek (Silver Lake)
PCT/John Muir Trail North (Agnew Meadows)
River Trail/ Thousand Island Lake (Agnew Meadows)
Shadow Lake Trail (Agnew Meadows)
Minaret Lake (Minaret Falls)
John Muir Trail North (Devils Postpile)
Beck Lake (Devils Postpile)
Fern Lake (Devils Postpile)
Duck Pass/Purple Lake (Coldwater)
Deer Lakes (Lake George)
Mono Pass, south side of Pass only (Rock Creek)
Little Lakes Valley (Rock Creek)
Bishop Pass (South Lake)/Dusy Basin
Treasure Lakes (South Lake)
Kearsarge Pass (Onion Valley)
Main Mt. Whitney Trail (Whitney Portal)
[Note: Maps are provided on their website which show that some of the
affected areas extend beyond the landmarks listed above.]

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
http://www.nps.gov/seki/snrm/wildlife/food_storage.htm

Special Backcountry Restrictions
SEKI-approved bear-resistant food storage containers with the capacity to
store all food are required from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through
October 31 at the following locations:

* Rae Lakes Loop through Paradise Valley to Woods Creek crossing, through
the Rae Lakes Basin and the 60 Lakes Basin into the Charlotte Lake area, and
south along the Pacific Crest Trail to Forester Pass. Also included are the
Bubbs Creek drainage and associated trails and cross-country areas from
Kearsarge Lakes and Center Basin to Cedar Grove, and all other drainages
feeding Bubbs Creek east of, and including East Creek. This also extends
south to the Kings-Kern Divide.
* Dusy Basin which includes all camp areas from Bishop Pass to the junction
with the John Muir Trail in LeConte Canyon and all cross-country areas in
Dusy Basin and Palisades Basin.

Parties traveling through the Rae Lakes area on trips not beginning or
ending at Cedar Grove, Kearsarge Pass, Baxter Pass, or Sawmill Pass must
either use SEKI-approved bear-resistant food storage containers or camp at
sites with lockers.

Current SEKI-Approved Bear-Resistant Food Storage Containers

Canisters:
- Approved - Backpacker Model 812-C Garcia Machine
- Conditionally Approved - Bearikade/Kodiak-Kan
- Conditionally Approved - BearCan
- Conditional Approved REVOKED - Ursack Ultra

Panniers:
- Approved - DeCarteret Aluminum Stock Panniers
- Conditionally Approved - Berner Bear Box
- Conditionally Approved - Bear Aware Panniers
- Also Permitted - Steel salvage drums with a security lid may be purchased
until panniers are purchased.
 1) Dozier Equipment Company [Model K-1035, 8 gallon open head)
 2) Lab Safety Supply Company (Model 9M-9117, 8 gallon open head)

BEAR BOX LOCATIONS IN SEKI ARE LISTED AT
http://www.nps.gov/seki/snrm/wildlife/wildlife_data/lockers.rtf




_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com