[pct-l] Failed canister was Fire Permit

[Slyatpct at aol.com (Slyatpct@aol.com)]

In a message dated 2/20/2005 10:46:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
steve_peterson@sbcglobal.net writes:

> This whole fire permit thing is bewildering. It's been a "requirement" for 
> a 
> long time, yet every time I've gotten a wilderness permit, I've *never* been 
> 
> asked if I had a fire permit but I have been asked if I've got a certain 
> other 
> unmentionable large cylindrical item.
> 

Speaking of canisters from another list.  I'm not sure of the date or the 
accuracy (or if it's already been mentioned here) ....  but if it's true, it's a 
bummer.  What's wrong with rocks?

> Last summer while hiking on the JMT we carried our food faithfully in the
canisters rented from the park service. We grumbled...didn't like the weight
and figured that the American Park Service (we are Canadian) was just over
reacting...much like American foreign policy and their policy on Mad Cow
diseases and the border patrol people stopping me from bringing my home
dried hamburger, which I had planned to take on my JMT hike, over the border
...but I digress....) Near Vidette Meadows we saw the true cunning and

genius of Sierra Bears. Several people in the campground had clear plastic
bear canisters. I can't remember the manufacturer. The bear grew tired of
playing with the black canisters we had and turned his attention to the
clear cannister. Perhaps it was because he could see the contents. He began
to systematically push down on the containers using the muscles in his
shoulder and his weight. He kept pumping on the container until he was
finally able to pop off the lid!
>?? and eat the contents. He sought out the clear containers and left the
rest. Pretty smart bears. I wouldn't even consider hiking in the Sierras
without a bear cannister. Not only would your food supply be unsafe but you
would jeapordize the safety of all your fellow hikers.? We have ursacks as
well but I think they would be totally useless.? Even if the bear didn't get
your food he would crush it.?? Gimme dumb Canadian grizzlies and black bears
who still respect your food if carefully hung. Let's hope they never get as
smart as their American cousins.? As one sign near Lone Pine declared,
"Never under estimate an animal that can be trained to drive a motorcyle.
>
> Happy trails
>
> Brian