Changed my whole approach after a ranger chewed me out on the JMT last summer

He told me my bear canister technique was trash - I was leaving it too far from camp. Now I keep it 100 feet downwind and it's way less hassle. Anybody else get schooled by a ranger?

2 comments

2 Comments

leohart1d ago

Oh man, that ranger was totally right (even if it stung to hear it). I got the same treatment from a ranger in the Winds last year after I stupidly left my bear can like 20 feet from my tent because I was exhausted. He basically gave me the full lecture about how bears will just drag it closer if they smell anything, so now I always go for the full 100 feet downwind too. It's way more peace of mind honestly, and I've started sleeping way better knowing my food isn't practically under my pillow. Plus I learned the hard way that "close enough" is never close enough with bears, you know?

abbyr961d ago

Pulled my can close one night and woke up to a raccoon. Learned fast.