Re: JMT trip 2018

[markskor]

Don't want to carry a bear can on the JMT?
Sigh...heard this all before - (too heavy, too cumbersome, never had problems before, know how to hang, will scare bears away...just not practical/doesn't work for me)...however it's not about you.
Yes, Rangers will check you out at a few places, as to whether or not you have a permit and if you are carrying a can on the JMT - BTW, a can is super-required on the Muir! The can requirement serves a purpose...protects the bear.

You can chance it, $700 fine (and an escort out) if caught - (good probability too). Sorry about your Ursack not being JMT sanctioned anymore, but (respectfully), if 1.5 pounds extra (Bearikade Weekender) prohibits your doing the Muir, there are other Sierra trails where carrying a can is not so required.

[Flamingo]

@whrdafamI? -- Carry the can. Not all rangers will check, but over the course of the JMT you have a nearly 100% chance that at least a couple rangers will check. I've done the JMT three times, and I was canister-checked every time. Besides, the canister has other functions too! It makes a nice chair, and when empty it makes a nice bongo for campfire drum circle. You'll love it.

[AlmostThere]

Look at how many ranger cabins are on the route.

Think about the fact that bears bothered us every night from TM to Reds.

Yosemite has a 5k fine for no bear canister (has to be on their approved list, NO URSACK, for a reason - many reasons).

Just use the #%$^# can. You are planning the BUSIEST route with the most habituated bears in the mountain range roaming on it. The Ursack only stands the test with bears that aren't really determined, sorry, they get tore up. Seen it happen.

[JWreno]

We always carry the cans. We have 3 expeditions that allows us to go 12 days without a resupply. They are expensive but we have owned these since 2007 and they get used for one or more trips every year since we purchased them. We probably will get 25 years out of them before we are too old to hike that much anymore. We also use them for hauling water far enough from a water source that we can sponge bath or wash and rinse out the clothing. We usually wash up at the end of each day before getting in our warmer gear for the evening. I enjoy my night's sleep a lot more than back in the days of hanging food and waking up to chase off bears multiple times a night.