Do I really need a bear canister in RMNP?
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Heading to RMNP in a week or so and it's the first time I am in "season" where the park folks say I must pack in a bear canister. |
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Do the right thing. If most overnight climbers jumped off a cliff... |
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Last time I was backpacking there I had two rangers check my pack for one. Luckily I had picked one up, since I am not sure what the punishment would be. |
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My advice is not to mess around with the rangers in RMNP. They are underfunded and looking for reasons to generate some revenue. Follow the posted regs and no trouble will come to you. Mess up and sacrifice a half day minimum in court (RMNP infractions go to federal court) when you could be climbing, fishing, drinking beer, whatever. The fine you would receive for a violation of their published policies would no doubt put a damper on whatever fun you were having too. |
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nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Quote: "Bear canisters are required at all backcountry campsites below treeline." |
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Ryan N wrote:I've always kept food in a sack away from camp and hanging in a tree.Bears are quite adept at getting food out of trees. Just a heads up. |
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no need to even risk conditioning bears to to go after your gear because you had food in it. just carry the canister and store it 100 yds downwind from your camp. inconveniencing yourself with the canister can save your life, another backpacker's life, and a bear who potentially gets into your food's life. |
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Ryan N wrote:Yea, like Jimmy said, their not needed if camping below tree line.Except that it's a Park rule to use them. |
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Ryan N wrote:Yea, like Jimmy said, their not needed if camping below tree line.He actually quoted that they ARE required for everything BELOW tree line. |
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FWIW, the bear activity did change in the last few years. In fact, one person was bitten through a tent in RMNP not too long ago. It's best to follow the rules, it'll make your trip a more relaxed one, too. They rent them pretty darn inexpensively at the Mountain Shop in Estes Park at the NE end of the lake, 2050 Big Thompson Ave. They have really pretty darn user friendly hours 8a-9p daily and very friendly staff. (970) 586-6548 or (866) 303-6548. estesparkmountainshop.com/. |
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Yes |
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C. Marchbanks, Did you agree to a search?! |
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and above treeline, there's marmots. and everywhere there are birds and smaller animals like mice, squirrels, etc. that will try to get into your food. Ravens are notorious food stealers, and they can open zippers to get inside your packs. |
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I've never used one up there, but both times have been above treeline. Rangers never said anything about them when I was getting permit from the BC office. |
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Haven't been there in backcountry since '99. When did they start the bear cannister rules? Has it got that bad now days in backcountry for bear activity? Wow. |
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Points well taken. |
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Bear canister for the Boulderfield or Chasm Lake? That is ridiculous. The park management is continuing to lose touch with reality. |
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You'll wish you had a canister for the marmots and pine martens at the Boulderfield. |
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Brad6260.......Do IT FOR THE BEARS!! Stop trying to rationalize breaking the rules for your convenience. Do it because it may save a bear from being habituated and later destroyed, because you we're thoughtless and lazy. |
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Mr. Chapman did you read guideline # 1? |
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Cor wrote:Did you agree to a search?!Rangers are not going to humor anyone with silly search, hide 'n seek games. Produce a bear-proof container on demand, if required by permit, or get an escort to the trailhead and, likely, a citation. Same with the bivy permit; produce or walk out. Brad, talk to Barry Sweet, Mngr, RMNP BC Office (970-586-1242). Barry told me last summer there is no requirement for containers at many standard climber-bivy sites above treeline. And while you have Barry's ear, ask him if there's been any progress on the Frequent Bivy/Camper Program. The Program, once enrolled, was/is to allow people to obtain BC permits by email, snail mail or fax rather than the mandatory and burdensome walk-in during biz hours. Currently, as has been the practice for years, the ONLY way to obtain a BC permit is to show-up during biz hours at the BC Office, which can be a logistical problem and put a crimp in the day's schedule, e.g. no alpine start or perhaps arrive at BC Office by 5pm the night before. Either way, a wrench in the equation. RMNP BC permit info, rules and regs here RMNP has had a bear-proof container requirement since May '09. |