Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Do they rent bear canisters at whitney?

It's clear that bear canisters are required in the Whitney Zone, but I can't find any info on rentals. Are they rented there? Yosemite rents the Garcia 812 bear canisters. Kind of bulky. I'm curious, how high up on the trail as anyone seen bears?

If you are doing an overnight on the main Mt. Whitney Trail, you will be required to carry a bear canister. You can pick one up at the Interagency Visitors Center when you pick up your permit. They also have some to rent at the Whitney Portal Store, near the trailhead.

I saw the canisters at the Visitors Center. They are great big black things, and I think they are Garcia 812s (not sure). Most of the bears are at Whitney Portal, and they come through there on a VERY regular basis. I didn't see any bears when I stayed at the Portal, or when I hiked Whitney. Based on postings I have seen on this site, they rarely go over 10,000 feet, but sometimes they do. Don't let the bears worry you. They are all black bears, and will avoid you if they can. If they are freaking you out, follow safe practices and just carry a loud whistle or an air horn, as they hate the noise.

If you don't want the big bulky black thing, buy the smaller clear one from Bear Vault...it is about 3/4 lb. less than the Garcia.

In twelve years of going to Whitney Portal and up MMWT, I have seen one bear, in 1999 on Whitney Portal Rd. above the Family Campground. Yogi decided it was in his/her best interest to bust out some auto glass for a bit of jerky.

If you have an Adventure 16 in your area they rent bear canisters.

I bought a Bear Vault Solo for @ $50. They are small, clear and have a very wide mouth. You could buy one and put it on e-bay if you don't intend on using it again.