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Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 29th, 2007, 04:31 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Niels
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Posts: 4
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

Kind regards,
Niels

  #2  
Old June 29th, 2007, 04:57 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
PeterL
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Posts: 1,471
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

On Jun 29, 8:31 am, Niels wrote:
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

Kind regards,
Niels




The only thing you need to worry about is running into other hikers on
the trails. Just don't leave food in your car.

  #3  
Old June 29th, 2007, 08:08 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
sally[_1_]
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Posts: 57
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

Niels wrote in news:1183131102.705426.119050
@u2g2000hsc.googlegroups.com:
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?


The bears in this area are vegetarians. They have been known to tear up
campsties looking for food, but they are not likely to attack people unless
you scare or threaten them (or their children). Same goes for deer and other
wild animals. Skip the pepper spray. Rocks have a longer range and are
readily available in the mountains.
  #4  
Old June 29th, 2007, 08:10 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
sally[_1_]
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Posts: 57
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

sally wrote in :
The bears in this area are vegetarians. They have been known to tear up
campsties looking for food, but they are not likely to attack people
unless you scare or threaten them (or their children). Same goes for
deer and other wild animals. Skip the pepper spray. Rocks have a
longer range and are readily available in the mountains.


P.S. I'm sure more hikers in Yosemite are killed by SUVs than by bears. Be
very careful when crossing the streets since tourist drivers are very
careless. Also, be careful of streams and lakes since several people drown
every year (including falling off of waterfalls right next to the danger
sign).
  #5  
Old June 29th, 2007, 08:54 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Peter Lawrence
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Posts: 31
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

sally wrote:
Niels wrote in news:1183131102.705426.119050
@u2g2000hsc.googlegroups.com:
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?


The bears in this area are vegetarians.


Uh, no. They're omnivores, but they rarely, if ever, attack humans
unless provoked. But the bears will raid one's camp (or parked car) at
night, especially if one didn't store away their food properly.

- Peter
  #6  
Old June 29th, 2007, 09:17 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Peter Lawrence
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Posts: 31
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

Niels wrote:
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

Kind regards,
Niels


The California Grizzly hasn't been seen or heard from in the past 80
years, so I wouldn't worry about those.

And in regards to the American Black Bear that do live in the Sierras, I
wouldn't really worry about those while doing day hikes. They generally
avoid humans during the day -- just don't get between a mother bear and
her cubs. And if you're camping, be sure to store away not just your
food, but other scented items (like toothpaste) properly in bear proof
storage lockers provided at most campsites, otherwise store them in bear
proof canisters. Also NEVER leave any food (or scented items) in your
car overnight too.

What you should be more concerned about is running into a hungry
mountain lion. While mountain lion attacks are rare, they will attack a
lone hiker (or jogger) unprovoked, especially smaller sized people. If
actually attacked by a mountain lion, the best defense is to fight back.
Having a strong hiking stick could come in handy in your defense.

The other predator you need to worry about while hiking in the Sierras
in July is the mosquito! During most summers, especially in June and
July, there will be very large swarms of them up in the high country
just waiting to suck some blood from you. Fortunately, it has been
reported that because of the dry winter and spring, that there are far
fewer mosquitoes lurking about this summer than summers past. Still,
carry and use as needed a good mosquito repellent like 3M Ultrathon.

- Peter
  #7  
Old June 30th, 2007, 12:18 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Eugene Miya
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Posts: 193
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

In article ,
sally wrote:
sally wrote in :
The bears in this area are vegetarians. They have been known to tear up

They are omnivorous.
campsties looking for food, but they are not likely to attack people
unless you scare or threaten them (or their children). Same goes for
deer and other wild animals. Skip the pepper spray. Rocks have a
longer range and are readily available in the mountains.


Yosemite NP no longer encourages the throwing of rocks at wildlife,
since the members of a Boy Scout troop stoned an adolescent bear to death.
While the incident is regarded as an accident by the local judge,
resorting to smaller rocks may be a deterrent.

P.S. I'm sure more hikers in Yosemite are killed by SUVs than by bears. Be
very careful when crossing the streets since tourist drivers are very
careless. Also, be careful of streams and lakes since several people drown
every year (including falling off of waterfalls right next to the danger
sign).


Glen Denny's photo of Chuck Pratt juggling and balance walking the railing
at the top of Vernal Fall (300+ ft). is on the Patagonia web site.


--
  #8  
Old June 30th, 2007, 12:21 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Eugene Miya
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Posts: 193
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

In article . com,
Niels wrote:
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?


Good sense.
Just don't corner one.
Keep a clean camp/car.

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)


Depends how experienced you are.
If you are small frame, mountains lions are likely to be a problem
at lower elevations. They have been reported in West.

Do not step on rattlesnakes.

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?


I'm doing Tower or Merced peaks with my climbing partner just slightly
earlier.

--
  #9  
Old July 2nd, 2007, 11:27 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Keith Willshaw
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Posts: 62
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon


"Niels" wrote in message
ups.com...
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

Kind regards,
Niels


The main precaution you need to take is to make plenty
of noise, bears dont like surprises but if they know your
coming they'll clear out.

Keith


  #10  
Old July 3rd, 2007, 04:04 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Bill Johnston
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Posts: 4
Default Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

On Jun 29, 10:31 am, Niels wrote:
I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

Kind regards,
Niels


I don't think the risk is very high- unlike Yellowstone, with its
fairly dangerous grizzlies, CA only has black bears, which are much
less aggressive. The main thing you don't want to do is leave food in
your tent or in your car. The Yosemite bears are very used to people
and have learned to tear cars open like tin cans if they see goodies
inside (I've seen some pretty spectacular photos of the resulting
damage). Plus, if the rangers see a parked car with a mere candy bar
in the front seat, it will get towed (this happened to someone when I
was there).

 




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