Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board bear canister

Was curious about the canisters. I understand that in high impact area's sometimes situations are exaggerated. Are they really necessary? Please keep it real. red gator

It is getting to the point where you pretty much are required to have them in most areas. If the bears don't make an issue out of it, the rangers will. Some bears have figured out how to beat the counterbalance method. Another factor is a lack of good places to rig up a counterbalance/ lack of knowledge on how to set one up properly.

If you don't feel like buying a bear can, they can be rented...

Bears and animals aside, what's the skinny on the rangers. Is it mandatory to carry them? Is the penatiltiy for violation drawn and quartered?

Fines and ejection from the park are most common. If you get caught expect to at least be ejected.

These days there are often two rangers on the Mt Whitney trail at the same time. One hangs out near the sign saying you are entering the Mt. Whitney zone or up in Bighorn park or outpost camp.

Another is up by Trail camp. So it is not easy to miss them.

If you get caught without a bear canister they will turn you around. That would really ruin your day, and would not be worth it. This last year many many people said they ran into one or both of them when they were on the trail. And these days, that can include early or late in the day.

"Bears and animals aside, what's the skinny on the rangers. Is it mandatory to carry them?"

One of the things I hate the most about Whitney, is having to carry the rangers. Personally, I hate carrying them downhill even worse than uphill. Thank goodness that they are usually very fit, with a low body-fat content! WHEW!

Yes, but doesn't muscle weigh more than fat? I would want a tubby ranger.

Hmmmm...if you stay home you won't have to carry a BRC.

BTW, skinny little ranger girls with the hairy legs are the best ones to carry. Young and cute.

Bill