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Do I really need a bear canister in RMNP?

flynn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2002 · Points: 25

If you (generic you, nobody specific) know how to pack, say, a cook kit, coffee mug or anything else hollow, you can effectively make it disappear. When you pack it with food now and trash or stinky socks later, you never even know it's there.

Whether or not bears roam above treeline generally depends on whether or not they read the same bear book you did. Right now, they're hungry, having not eaten since about November, so if they're gonna get weird, they're gonna do it now.

Lastly, even if you don't encounter a bear, you are guaranteed to encounter much more aggravating, thoroughly determined little pack-eaters. The bear barrel stops them unequivocally. That alone may make it worth carrying.

Elliott Crooks · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 10

Bear canisters can be useful against non-bear marauders as well. Next to last time I bivi'd at Chasm Lake, we hung food & other stuff off the overhanging side of a boulder. Local mouse rapelled down the cord, & we lost food, webbing, & my best sun cap. Next time canister worked great.

Jason Maurer · · Colorado · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 790

Oh! I thought you meant BEER canisters...

If your Bivy-ing above treeline this be the only canister I'd use..
Works really well..
Helps take that edge off while waiting for your high alpine bear attack...

Brad6260 S · · Kentucky · Joined May 2013 · Points: 5

The #1 Choice of marauding bears from coast to coast!

Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520

We saw two bears with cubs while we were out there, one near the Bear Lake trailhead, and the other on the way back from Glacier Gorge.\

Carry the bear canister

Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520

Up at the boulderfield does seem kind of ridiculous, though. Although I agree with others that keeping marmots out of your food just may make the decision to carry a canister worth it.

Jeremy Riesberg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 5

I bivied at the boulder field last year. We hauled up a bear can because we were told too. Never again. No bears live at 14k feet. And speaking of bad beta, we asked about water on the hike and if it was better to bring a filter or to haul. The rangers said the nearest was Chasim lake.. So we hiked up with 6 liters.. They mentioned nothing of the 3 melt water creeks we had to cross. So you're a ranger and this is your job? Why the bad info?

Brian Stevens · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 2,137

I bivied up by Ship's Prow this past July and was specifically told by the RMNP ranger that I got my permit from that we DID NOT need bear canisters for our bivy even though it said we did on the permit.

A.Constantine · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 5

We camped at the boulder field at the end of August. When we got our permit, they were very adamant that we needed to have a bear canister, and the ranger claimed that there had been a bear sighting at the boulder field the week before.

Furthermore, when we arrived at the boulder field, a ranger actually stopped us and required that we prove we had a bear canister before we could continue to our site.

Even further more, there was one particularly cute and OBNOXIOUS rodent who has clearly been fed way too many times (c.f. cute) by people, and as such, no longer has any fear of people WHATSOEVER. He will crawl right into your bag right in front of you. He will enter your tent. He will not run away if you yell at him, growl at him, run at him, or even hit him with a rock. When my wife kicked him out of my pack, he took one step back, gave her a look, and made a "hmph!" type of sound in annoyance. The attitude on this creature! When you go climb, he will chew through your tent, tarp, or pack if you leave them at the boulder field (trust me). I'd bring the bear canister just for that little guy alone.

FYI.

Mtnbyker76 Gray · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2016 · Points: 0

Bear cannisters are needed if only for the marmots, pics, and yes, a Pine Marten. This is a verified sighting, so it's true. Must be easy prey up that high above treeline. I was stopped by Rangers, and was happy I complied. Peeved off though, when two other packers came up late with no cannisters or permits. Next March I'm going to have my finger keyed on the sights I want! Lol

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

Bear cannisters are somewhat of a pain (heavy and bulky) but:
1. Keep critters, large and small (Mice, marmots, squirrels, etc) out of food
2. Keeps food dry if it rains
3. Allow you to take more "fragile" foods that might be crushed if you shoved them in your pack

Last time I backpacked in RMNP (Wild Basin area), we were confronted by a rather aggressive young park ranger, who insisted we show him our bear can and our permit, which was still attached to our tent (we were on our way out). Had to basically unpack and repack our backpacks. He was unappologetic and told us "If there's one more bear incident, we're going to shut down the trailhead", even though we did everything we were required to do ("preaching to the choir").

Vanilla Drilla From Manila · · Goiter, CO · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 50

I used an ursack for going into the alpine. I had to correct the ranger at the station, that indeed, no bear proof cannister was needed in the alpine. Prolly would want to follow the rules on the cannister for below tree line as well.

Chad Miller · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 150

It's interesting the requirements that occur in overused outdoor areas. I've been backpacking in bear country (griz and black) for over ten years without a bear canister without issue. Of course this requires you to be educated and proficient at keeping a clean camp and knowing how to hang your food/ toiletries.

Michael Sammartino · · Eagle, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 0

I've come across bears in the alpine at RMNP before, just so you know.

More importantly though, bending the rules puts you, wildlife, and climbing access at risk. Regardless of how "stupid" the policy is, it exists for a good reason and it's best to adhere to it so that everyone can continue to have the opportunity to climb and camp in the alpine.

Vanilla Drilla From Manila · · Goiter, CO · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 50
bear cannister rules

Here. These are the rules. Have fun.
Chad Miller · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 150

Just remember that the canisters can keep critters out but it won't keep the same critters from moving it. Even small animals can knock a canister quite a ways while trying to get into it. Keep that in mind when picking a spot to leave your canister 100 yards away from your camp site.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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