[ Post a Response | San Gorgonio Backcountry Bulletin Board ]
Posted by Hikin' Jim on October 31, 2009, 14:51:13, in reply to "Re: Bear Canisters"
71.106.171.231
Well, first the various scout, church, etc. camps have nothing to do with canisters. Entirely separate issue (unless they're leading BP'ing groups).
Second, of course canisters would work. The question is if they are necessary. Are there any "problem areas" for backpackers (outside of Vivian Creek)? No. Incidents? Sure. Problem areas? No. A "blanket" canister order would impose an unnecessary burden on those who BP in non-Vivian Creek areas. An Ursack is more than adequate in those areas. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying don't take bear precautions. I'm saying don't impose a blanket hard sided canister regulation. Use the canisters where you have to (Vivian Cr.) and the Ursack elsewhere.
Third, weight may not matter to you, but to some of us it's a vital concern. I've had a lot of injuries. The more weight I carry, the more my injuries are affected. Canister rules for me start placing areas of the wilderness off limits to me and many others like me. Brad, you're in WAY above average condition. Canisters really are a burden to an average middle aged office worker. Place the wilderness in effect off limits to more and more people, and let's just see how long the wilderness itself lasts. Seriously. Fewer visitors = less public support. If public support dries up, business interests will prevail. A blanket canister rule might actually harm the bears rather than save them. Think about it.
They don't have a blanket rule in the Sierra. Neither should we.
HJ
--Previous Message--
: How can you say that people are
: over-reacting about the Bear problem
: in the SGW ?
: IMO I feel there have been problems
: in other areas SF trail head, The
: group/christian camps on the boarder
: of hwy 38 there have been problems
: just like on Vivian creek trail and
: Forest Falls.
: Having entire regs isn't a bad
: thing. Its a start to improving the
: experience.
: I can't understand why one feels
: canisters won't work fine for the
: rest of the wilderness. Well they
: can but the most don't think the
: same as you. They like to be messy.
: creating problems. This is why it is
: so important to have this reg.
: I could careless about the weight
: issue. when I started backpacking in
: the 70's my pack used to weight
: nearly 50lbs+ on a overnight trip
: LOL Yes with age and injuries my
: back doesn't or can't take as much
: but it doesn't stop me Now days my
: same pack weights for a overnight
: trip about 20lbs big differrence so
: and extra few pounds is only going
: to make me stronger in the end and
: makinf for a better experience.
: All I know is that its going to
: happen Mandatory Canister Rule for
: the enitre San Gorgonio
: Wilderness...
: P.S. Canisters do WORK for the SGW
: and the wildlife your protecting for
: generations to come.
: So Use one Please !!!
:
: --Previous Message--
: I think people are over-reacting.
: Yes, there have been a lot of
: problems on the Vivian Creek trail.
: Maybe a canister requirement would
: be appropriate there, but there's no
: need for canisters elsewhere in the
: SGW.
:
: The real issue is that there are a
: lot of people who are taking no bear
: precautions at all. Non-canister
: bear precautions work fine in the
: SGW.
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Are there bears at all the camp
: areas
: in SGW? Havn't heard of any
: problems but the area of Vivian.
: maybe the problem lays with the
: residents of Forest Falls Feeding
: the bears?
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: From Halfway Camp CLOSURE thread
: below.
: Seems like most everyone here is in
: favor of a bear canister requirement
: for the SGW. The requirement is
: currently being discussed by local
: Forest Service officials. However,
: the FS system is usually reluctant
: to impose additional requirements
: and restrictions on the public
: without a very strong need and a
: voiced desire by the public. We all
: know there would be a few who
: complain about having to buy or rent
: a canister.
: And instituting such a requirement
: involves a considerable amount of
: time, red tape, and many levels of
: review and approval. Also, FS
: workload is overflowing and
: priorities have to be set. We can
: help them be aware of the public
: desire and set those priorities by
: simply sending a short polite note
: about our desire for a bear canister
: requirement, letter or post card, to
: Forest Supervisor's Office,
: 602 South Tippecanoe Avenue,
: San Bernardino, CA 92408. Mine is on
: it's way.
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Message Thread:
« Back to thread