So that story about the guy who was dragged off by a bear in his sleeping bag isn't true?
Strider:
Good and bad news. Basically, I don't know of anyone who's actually been "dragged off." Bad news: I do know of a number of injuries to people who sleep with their food -- though none where I've thought the reason is that they're sleeping in the clothes they cook in. I think almost everyone does that and if it were a risk factor, we'd see a lot more injuries.
[hope to see you on the trail in a few weeks!].
Other notes: I don't think it makes a huge difference to be so-called "stealth camping" (gotta tell ya', that phrase grates on me...). Camping off trail will definitely reduce the odds of encountering bears but, in some areas like Bubb Creek, much of Yosemite, other crowded areas, it's probably close to the same odds. The main thing nowadays is a cannister. I hate to say it, because I don't like the weight either, but they work. The Bear sacks may sort of work, but if a bear runs across it, he'll spend hours trying to get into it. You'll still be up all night chasing bears away, which kind of defeats the purpose... .
Also, one of you mentioned RJ Secor sleeping with his food. That is the absolute dumbest thing anyone can do. I believe he does it as do a few others, especially PCT hikers. But every case of an injury has involved food, either in the tent or immediately by the person in the sleeping bag. Every case. And, worse, once a bear picks up the habit of breaking into tents, they keep doing it whether there's food or not. So the actions of one bozo reverberate for quite some time.
As another note, RJ was in a serious accident two years ago but seems to be recovering well:
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/news/SS_2 ... JSecor.asp
g.