Date:         Thu, 23 Sep 1999 21:59:02 -0700
Reply-To:     "Tom L. Neal" <jneal@NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Tom L. Neal" <jneal@NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Re: westies in Yosemite..Dealing with bears
In-Reply-To:  <62385189.251c2f73@aol.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

> lowdown on food in westfalias in Yosemite??  Is food ok if kept in the
> refrigerator?  I assume you have to remove coolers, even if they can't be
> seen, yes?
> Or does everything have to come out, even barbeques, charcoal, candles, etc..
> What's the general consensus?

Fortunately, there is a real simple principle in Yosemite, and much of the
rest of the Sierras: Assume the bears will go after any and all food and
other THINGS THAT SMELL, like toothpaste and deodorant or containers that
have held food at some time, wherever they are. If it's in a half inch
thick steel Yosemite food box, hung from a bear cable, or in a plastic
bear cannister, they won't get it.  Anywhere else, like a westie fridge,
they will.  They've even figured out how to get the cub to go up the tree
and knock down the formerly clever
rope-with-a-bag-on-each-end-with-a-drop-rope-with-a-loop.  Too bad, since
it's such a clever trick with a carribiner and a couple of special knots.
I have personally experienced most of the variations of what works and
doesn't work. I have a pack with two big bear bites in it from two water
bottles that previously had very small amounts of lemon Crystal Lite in
them.  The bag was, of course, placed all night against a log 20 feet from
my tent.  Please take the above thoughts seriously.

Cheers, Tom Neal