[pct-l] lightweight packs and bear canisters

[metam01 at earthlink.net (Monty Tam)]

I hiked with a ranger on her way to her assigned headquarters/post.  One
day before there would have been no ranger.   She said, in Kings Canyon
thru-hikers are not required to carry Bear Canisters.  She did check for a
thru hiker permit and almost ticketed a non thru hiker for not having a
bear canister.  With his attitude about her asking, I think she was too
kind.

There were lots of boxes west and south of Kersarge pass.

No rangers on the west side of Mt. Whitney.  Ranger on top of Whitney said
it would still be a couple of weeks before they staffed the local station.
Instead of asking for my Whitney permit like he was doing with others, he
asked, "Are you a thru hiker?"   I don't know if it means anything, but
after I said yes, he didn't ask for a permit.

Tuolumne was scarey.  I'm glad I hiked in with a canister.

In both Kings Canyon and the Whitney area there were lots of bear boxes.

Map for bear boxes?  Does anyone have a map of bear boxes along the John
Muir?

Warner Springs Monty


> [Original Message]
> From: Paul <cactus_paul@earthlink.net>
> To: Matt Bradley <bodhisattvavow@hotmail.com>; <metam01@earthlink.net>;
PCT-L <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: 2/9/2005 8:28:52 AM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] lightweight packs and bear canisters
>
> My experience has been that Rangers will check for Bear canisters between
> Glen Aulin and Tuolumne Meadows more than any other place in the Sierras.
>
> The PEDestrian
>
>
> >Monty,
> >    When you refer to not camping within 7 miles of Tuolumne, are you
> >referring to the benefits of stealth camping or are you saying that the
> >rangers won't mind if you don't have a canister that far out?  I
definitely
> >plan on restocking often in that section. FYI, I just tried to fit the
> >Bearvault inside my Breeze and it really messes up the nice pack
> >organization I had previously.  I tried it with the foam pad lining the
> >inside as I normally have it.  The Bearvault takes up almost the entire
> >inside space.  I will still try it with the pad stowed elsewhere but it
> >looks as though the straps on the top might be the best option.  Or I
could
> >try using a different pack for that section but that would add pounds to
> >the
> >one section of the hike where I'm already carrying the added weight of
the
> >Bearvault and an ice axe.
> >FWIW
> >Peace and Love,
> >Matt
>
>