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Posted by SteveTheFolkie on April 2, 2007 at 2:15:18 pm EDT
In reply to Re: Bear canisters revisited (please) posted by Karman on April 2, 2007 at 12:46:30 pm EDT

I was on the tuscarrorra trail when I lost my food. Sunday before last I was about 40 yds from a sow and her cub - I happen to like bears. In the San Juan mountains (southern Col.) I ran into what the locals called kamakazie bears - you'd hang your food from a line strung between two trees - they'd climb above the rope and leap out at the bag - trying to claw it on their way down - it was interesting to watch (and a great reason to NOT camp under a bear bag!).
You have to look at what's going to attract bears to your campsite - and it's the smell of food - the uncooked food that you're hanging from a tree is really secondary - it's the dishwater or uneaten food that gets tossed into the weeds that really brings 'em around. If using a scent proof liner bag eases your partners mind and gets 'em into the woods more often - go for it. It may just be psychological - but what the heck! Attacks by black bears are danged rare (unless you try to mess with a cub OR get in between a sow and a cub) -
The best defense, however (in my opinion) is to keep a clean campsite - dispose of uneaten food correctly - and hang your cook kit along with the food bag (which can also alert you to rodents messing with your food - nothing like opening a food bag to see a terrified chipmunk looking up at you to make for a memorable morning!).
Years ago I was backpacking with two of my kids (my son was probably 12 at the time, his sister 9) - they were in a tent - I was under a tarp. Apparently nature called - my son looked out the back window of the tent - saw a bear wandering around - and decided that he could hold it until morning ... he timed it to perfection - telling me just as I'd taken a mouthful of oatmeal - that was in Caledonia - right along the AT - where there is a LOT of human traffic - I'm sure that bear had gotten some tasty treats over the years ...

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