High Sierra Topix

Got my permit today for Ediza Lake trip end of September. Can't wait. Heard it is going to be a little colder than I was expecting but I should be good with gear to stay warm.

I looked at a Bear Vault this weekend at REI and it seemed awfully big for two people for two days. Are there smaller ones? There were also some ziploc type bags that claim to work the same. Will those work instead?

Hi there

There are two sizes of the Bearvault. The 450 is called the weekender, and we can get 2-3 days worth of food in it--that's for the two of us. And after we bought it, we then bought the 500, which is much larger, more expensive, but also holds enough food for the two of us for five days.

Ediza Lake is lovely...you will have a great time.

These are the bags that I was talking about. Does anyone know if the rangers will let this pass or if anyone has used them?

http://www.rei.com/product/758707/loksa ... s-20-x-125" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Those bags are no replacement for a bear vault, and won't pass the ranger test. They will help prevent the attraction of bears to your camp by odor, but if a bear is nosing around your camp they will be attracted by the sight of a loose bag, and so the odor-barrier is not enough.

All that said, when I travel in areas where bear boxes are not required I used those bags for some measure of protection. I also admit that on the first night on a long trip I sometimes can't quite fit everything in my box, and then I use one of those bags. But it is a violation and to be minimized.

OPsacks aren't odor proof, if y'ask me... when a critter can detect food in a sealed metal can, plastic that you've handled with the same hands you handled food don't stand a chance.

Bear canisters from the approved list are on Yosemite's website. Ediza isn't in Yosemite - but you should absolutely have the cans. The bears hit us TWICE one night just down the creek from there.

While not at Ediza, I watched this fluffy brownie inspect four different campsites, one by one, sniffing at each bear box along the way, in broad daylight. If you meet up with the likes of him you will be glad you had a box.

And congratulations on heading to Ediza, one of my favorite spots on the face of the globe.

nice pics, kpeter.

Sox, just embrace the can. Help save a bear.