Bear Boxes - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Why can’t the ATC and hiking clubs take measures to install bear-proof metal boxes at some shelters where the bears are being such a problem? Why force hikers on the AT to carry a heavy food canister which may be necessary in only a few places? Why permit a nice Shelter like Woods Hole become virtually unused simply because the park service refuses to take steps to deal with the bear problem? The isolated areas like Blood Mountain, Watauga Lake, etc. are spreading. Does the ATC want the trail to become unused by hikers and reserved exclusively for the wildlife?

Woody

1 Like
#2

“Does the ATC want the trail to become unused by hikers and reserved exclusively for the wildlife?”

One can hope! Wildlife could use a little more room.

Tim Owens

#3

Several of the AT shelters have “Bear Cables” already installed. Why not install them at the shelters in the PROBLEM AREAS, in order to open these shelters back up for hiker’s use? Another alternative to a Bear Canister is an "Ursack"http://www.ursack.com/product/ursack-s29-allwhite/.

Gorp-Gobbler

#4

One’s safety and well-being in the wilderness is not the Government’s responsibility.

More applicable to the West, but substitute “outdoors” for “wilderness”.

Booger

#5

Bear boxes may solve the problem of bears taking hiker’s food, but they do not make the bears go away. On heavily used trails such as the Raye Lakes Loop in the Sierras, bears hang around the boxes. They become more and more habituated to humans and show little fear. Not good for the bears or the hikers.

Turtle Walking

#6

The ATC lacks the authority to decide issues like this. To get a bear box at a certain shelter the trail club would have to ask for permission of the primary land owner. In bear country the land owner is the US Forest Service or the National Park or a half dozen or more other government agencies. Non of these government places can agree on a common strategy for the future. The trail clubs will balk because of expense and the hassle of hauling it up there and cleaning it out. All along the trail the current trend is to reduce infrastructure of all kinds. Most think that the trail has reached it’s carrying capacity and added amenities will only add to the numbers. Over the life of the trail the population of the Eastern half of the US has more than quadrupled and most of the open country is now gone. This has created the “deli to deli” trail. The encroachment of civilization has reduced the amount of trail infrastructure needed for hikers. The ATC’s main focus is to collect money and use it for legal fees to fend off land use competition like pipe lines, and power lines crossing the trail.

Francis

#7

Why force hikers on the AT to carry a heavy food canister which may be necessary in only a few places?

I have thru-hiked and hiked on the AT for years and never once saw anyone carry a heavy food canister. In fact, I only hung my food bag in State and National Parks.

Canoeman