I am wondering if a bear can is needed for the complete JMT or if it is just needed for the Whitney zone. Or is it needed throughout a certain elevation for the whole trail? If it is only needed through the Whitney zone I was hoping to drop it off at the first mail drop.
Aaron Williamson
When I hiked it in 2005, I saw bears (and evidence of bears) intermittently throughout the whole trail. If (when) I do the trail again, I would definitely bring a can the whole way.
Eric
I would have to agree with Eric. The risk is great that a bear would find and eat your food which would be bad for both you and the bear. I’m planning to carry one the whole way when I do the hike this summer. I also understand that it is a hefty fine if you get caught without a canister.
shelly
Bear cans are required through out most of the JMT but not all. The JMT traverses two National Parks (Sequoia-Kings and Yosemite) and two National Forests (Inyo and Sierra). Each of these are separate jursidictional areas and most of the bear can requirements follow the boundaries of these Parks or Forests.
It is all Federal lands and bound by Federal laws. Proper food storage is a Federal law under 36 CFR 2.10 (d). This applies whether it is a developed campground or the back country wilderness.
As Shelly states, in bear can required areas, it may be a hefty fine if caught without a canister. In areas where a canister is not required, then it is the law enforcement officer’s interpretation of Federal law on how well you stored your food.
Remember, food storage is a 24 hour requirement. It is not just a night time thing. If you take a break, lay your pack down and a bear gets your food, you probably just broke federal laws.
The JMT is very remote. Loosing your food to a bear would not only ruin your trip, it could mean a couple of days without food while you hike out the nearest exit.
It just doesn’t seem to me to be worth it to not carry a bear can on this trail even if you are in specific areas that don’t require it. Remember, you’re not only protecting your food, you’re protecting the bears too.
Jim
I just bought a Bear Vault 400 from REI. Was going to rent but they are $59 during the sale so I just went ahead and bought one. I think the sale ends on the 13th
Darren
For anyone doing a JMT thru-hike, you can rent for a flat rate of $55. Below is the response from my online rental request which I just submitted.
We will ship one Bearikade Expedition portable food canister on August 13th in order to meet your need date of August 17th. We will apply the flat rate of $55 at the end of your trip.
–
Allen DeForrest
Wild Ideas, LLC
Managing Member
Doug
During my 2005 hike, both rangers that I saw along the way, were more interested in seeing the cannister rather than my permit.
TRIHIKER
From the Yosemite website at http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/wilderness/bfoodstorage.htm
“You can rent a Garcia Backpacker bear canister wherever you pick up your wilderness permit. The cost is $5 (for up to two weeks). Reservations are not available, nor are they necessary.”
Scott V.
Speaking of canisters, the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group has just announced that the S29 Ursack Hybrid (S29 model Ursack plus aluminum liner) has been conditionally approved for use in the area through which the JMT passes. Total weight of the S29 Hybrid (bag plus liner) is 22 oz. Here are links to the SIBBG Approved Food Storage Containers page and the News page of the Ursack web site for more details.
Snowbird