Charlotte Dome early Sept......help on any "bear concerns" beta in the area, THX!

Charlotte Dome early Sept......help on any "bear concerns" beta in the area, THX!

We will be there first week of Sept, just checking how concerned we need to be about bears at the campsite below the face. We will bring the obligatory bear cannister. 

Will we die if we just bivy at the campsite close to the route?

Thx in advanced!

The black bears in CA are harmless to humans, you'll be fine. 

They are completely harmless goofballs. You most likely won't see any bears, but if you do, give them their space. Just store your food appropriately for the area and its all good. I think just this year marked the first time EVER that a human death had been attributed to a black bear encounter in California. So, be more concerned about lightning strikes than any danger of bears.

David Awrote:

The black bears in CA are harmless to humans, you'll be fine. 

But humans are sure harmful to bears. If they develop a taste for human food, they’re likely to become a problem and may end up getting shot. Do the bears a favor and make sure they can’t get your food. A bear canister is required in that area. 

My usual concern with seeing a bear is if the bear is a mama. If a black bear does not retreat with the usual yelling and arm waving that probably means you are between her and her cubs. At which point one just needs to exit stage left (sometimes stage right). Otherwise exercise proper food storage.

Out of curiosity has anyone used one of these sacks before: ursack majors?

Jabroni McChufferson wrote:

For what it’s worth there are bear boxes at Charlotte lake. 

Also, if they're coming from the west, at the Charlotte Creek/Bubbs Creek campsite.

We hope to camp as close to the base of the S Face as possible.

Allen Sandersonwrote:

...Out of curiosity has anyone used one of these sacks before: ursack majors?

I've used Ursacks for close to a couple decades and appreciate their light weight. I think they work extremely well, especially with the aluminum insert. Unfortunately, Ursacks are NOT legally approved for use in some areas.

Ursacks are great, but not perfect. I think the hard insert defeats some of the purpose. As such, I’ve found the best application being situations where bear is very unlikely, but marmots, raccoons, and other critters might cause problems. And as “stinky stuff” overflow on long trips where not everything will fit in the bear can.

I’ve seen two bears in SEKI, both hightailing it out of town once we were aware of each other. They haven’t been habituated like Yosemite or tahoe bears… yet. All the more reason to practice good bear hygiene. 

I heard problem bears were relocated to this area. Maybe I heard wrong. Anyone confirm? 

I've probably seen more bears along Bubb's creek than anywhere else in the Sierra so there can be lots of them in the Summer up there.  I have an old picture somewhere of one sniffing my head when I was sleeping without a tent.  That being said, the other comments are correct that they're pretty harmless, but they might try to get into your food so plan accordingly.  Black bears are the only species of bears that usually don't defend their cubs, their survival defense is to climb trees, not to fight.

Limpingcrab DJwrote:

I've probably seen more bears along Bubb's creek than anywhere else in the Sierra so there can be lots of them in the Summer up there. 

We saw one of the locals on our way from Road's End to Charlotte Creek.

Out of curiosity has anyone used one of these sacks before: ursack majors?

I also like these a lot in general, but for SEKI backcountry specifically you need to use one of these containers according to the NPS website. 

John, 

Just hang your food.  There are lots of trees at the statutory basecamp from the Eastside approach.  

Canisters are required in SEKI

splitclimberwrote:

Canisters are required in SEKI

This is not true as a blanket statement.  Canisters are required in specific areas of SEKI and during certain dates.  It's actually a fairly small portion of the land area that SEKI encompasses: 

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/FoodStorageRequirements_8x11_20150729-2.pdf

Thanks.  I did not know this

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/FoodStorageRequirements_8x11_20150729-2.pdf

They're required in the area of Charlotte Dome, and also by INYO who issues the permit (for Kearsarge).

The 2 lb penalty is a worthy contribution to keeping the bears alive, regardless though.

Matt Nwrote:

They're required in the area of Charlotte Dome, and also by INYO who issues the permit (for Kearsarge).

The 2 lb penalty is a worthy contribution to keeping the bears alive, regardless though.

They also make good camp stools, and the Bear Vault, which seals well enough to be set in water, makes a good refrigerator.

Theo Balboniwrote:

John, 

Just hang your food.  There are lots of trees at the statutory basecamp from the Eastside approach.  

I was surprised to see folks hanging their food at the eastside basecamp over the 4th, maybe this was you? We did see a large bear in the area and I'd probably be a bit more careful around there than most other places in the sierra

Thanks for all the feedback!

We changed plans and went to Tuolumne instead......still great climbing!