(Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
User avatar
cgundersen
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1338
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:07 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by cgundersen »

Hi M and MM,
I'd tend to guess that the reason the gentleman (and, as I reach the elderly stage, he doesn't look too elderly to me!) depicted got battered is because the bear in question had tasted too much human grub (due either to folks flaunting or ignoring the regulations). Most of the bears I've come across have been pretty shy (in other words, they have ambled off once I started making an obnoxious racket). So, even though I greatly resent the addition of the extra bulk and weight to my pack, I understand the requirement for the bear cans and like MM will continue to abide by the regulations even though I tend to camp in areas that seldom are frequented by bears. At least, I've never run across a bear above treeline. Have you (and, yes, this should probably be a separate thread)?
CG

PS. I agree that 9 days in one bear can is incredible, either you don't eat much, or it's all peanut butter.
User avatar
MountainMinstrel
Topix Expert
Posts: 464
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:09 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Sonora

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by MountainMinstrel »

cgundersen wrote:\PS. I agree that 9 days in one bear can is incredible, either you don't eat much, or it's all peanut butter.
I am not a big eater but I did not starve either. Started with a 24 once water bottle on one side then layered in one package of instant oatmeal, two Folgers coffee bags, two tablespoons of peanut butter and honey (in baggies), a cliff bar, 1/2 cup of gorp, and a single serving MountainHouse meal for each day. Finally, I put the sugar, creamer and tortillas of the top. The first day's food was not in the can so really there was only 8 days in there, and the bag of other smellies would not fit until the second night but it worked.

BTW, I gained weight on the trip :crybaby:
Just an old musician who loves the Mountains.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by maverick »

You must have a very slow burning metabolism, and I am towards the opposite end.
My daily routine is oatmeal(mixed with dried blue berries, protein powder, and walnuts)
in the morning or a Pemmican Bar, I drink 2 nalgene bottles of Cytomax during the hike,
4-6 bars (Cliff, Luna, Probar), 2 tortillas with 2 almond butter packets, 1c gorp and 2-3 oz
jerky.
Then a freeze dried dinner with tortillas and some chocolate.
This can be much more depending on the terrain and length of my trips.
User avatar
cgundersen
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1338
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:07 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by cgundersen »

Hmmm; after posting on Maverick's new food topix thread, I realized that I habitually count days for two people (my wife & me). So, since we get roughly 6 days worth of food (for the two of us) in one Bearikade, I guess that 9 days is not so extraordinary. But, is it necessary to stash the 151 in the can? Do bears drink (rum)? Or, do you just not want to risk it?
cg
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by rlown »

for me, the 151 stays out. no bears have taken it yet (not that they wouldn't, but a poly bottle in the can would take up room for real food. 151 is expendible. [-o<
User avatar
MountainMinstrel
Topix Expert
Posts: 464
Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:09 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Sonora

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by MountainMinstrel »

All I know is that I have been hassled by a ranger for having my 151 out. He told me that it needed to go into my can or a bear box. If push came to shove, I would either leave it at home, or out of the can. However, the thought of a 300lb bear after the consumption of 750 ml of 151 is a bit scary. :drinkers:
Just an old musician who loves the Mountains.
quentinc
Topix Expert
Posts: 890
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:28 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Los Angeles

Re: (Long Delayed) Trip Report -- August 2008 -- Miter Basin etc

Post by quentinc »

My backpacking diet is remarkably similar to Maverick's and I lose weight on every trip (unfortuntely I usually make up for it when I return). Makes for a heavy pack though (especially with the carrots and hummus I add in).
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 122 guests