Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board marmots

I have heard that you need to leave your tent and
pack open at trail camp while summiting, otherwise the marmots will chew holes in all your gear looking for food. Is this true? Thanks for your comments!

that would be pretty good advice. Always leave your pack open at camp. As for the tent I did not do that with mine in Aug. but that was my choice. In hindsight I probably would leave it open.

mice, too.

Despite hanging my food bag from a rope at Upper Boy Scout Lake two weeks ago, ol' Mickey jumped out when I put my hand in there to get out some GORP. Harvey

Be careful about hanging food instead of using the bear cannisters - the rangers go ballistic when they see that. They'll seize your food and leave a note that you can reclaim your stuff at their office in Lone Pine. Then they give you a ticket.

I kept my tent closed up, and my pack in my tent while I summitted from TC, and had no issues. All of my food was in a bear cannister away from the tent.
I know the marmots go after salt-laden things as well, like sweaty clothing, so maybe hanging that stuff in a bag wouldn't be a bad I-D.

-Laura

Interesting:
"Hanging" food at TC is considered a crime...ticket and confiscation...most importantly, makes the badges irate...justifiably too.
But, "Stashing" salt laden clothes in a stuff sack away from the critters...hung over the boulders...(legal?) and I even read a response here that says..."seems like a good idea."

They both look the same to me from afar...
So I ask, will they confiscate my gortex if there is no food in the bag?...Will they put it back?
Wilderness questions?

I saw about 5-6 bags hanging off the side of one of the ledges at TC when I was there in late August. Now, whether they were seen/ticketed/moved while they were there, I don't know. I saw the owners come and get their stashes after they returned from the summit that afternoon, and they didn't seem irate or upset as if they had gotten a ticket.
It's just a suggestion or thought. I figure, up that high, there aren't many options to hang stuff up, anyway!
-L

When I am in an area that requires a bear can, I use one. When not in a bear can required area, in general, I leave the bear can at home.
LBSL is in an area that does not require bear cans. In places like this it makes sense to protect ones food by hanging it from a rock.
I am not suggesting that one should not use bear cans unless they are required; it is a personal call. I have used cans in unrequired areas for protection, Titcomb Basin - Wind Rivers for one because of reported incredible tenacity and perserverance of the local fauna.
I do not think the Rangers are going to confiscate food that is hung in areas where cans are not required.

For the last several years, I've used one of the old Ursacks, in areas where cans were not required, and have enjoyed them fending off the marmots and mice. At 4 oz, it is sufficiently light that I won't worry. Or, one could use one of the newer versions, with the insert removed, if not in a can-required area, or with it in, if you are. It is versatile.

'Backpacker' magazine, 12.2006, p. 44:

"...You can marvel at...the marmot as you climb the dry 7.5-mile summit trail up California's 14,246-foot White Mountain - but be sure to wrap your vehicle in chicken wire to protect the salt-caked hoses and wiring..."

What?

Some years back I heard of marmots chewing hoses at Mineral King, and some people's solution was to use the chicken-wire.

But I have not heard anything recently. It may be an urban legend by now....

I did a google search for:
marmots chicken wire hoses
and it came back with 12,600 hits.

Maybe someone should call the Mineral King ranger station and ask if they are still doing it.

Here is the official web site statement:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/mkvc.htm

-----------------------------
Warning, Marmots!




Each spring and early summer, the marmots of Mineral King dine on rare delicacies in this alpine valley. Their fare includes radiator hoses and car wiring! Like bears, jays and ground squirrels, marmots have not only become accustomed to visitors, they have learned that people are a source of food.

In the parking areas some marmots feast on car hoses and wires. They can actually disable a vehicle. On several occasions, marmots have not escaped the engine compartment quickly enough and unsuspecting drivers have given them rides to other parts of the parks; several have ridden as far as southern California!

The whole thing sounds ridiculous, but it's true. If you visit Mineral King, especially during the spring, check under you hood before driving away. Let the rangers know whether or not your vehicle has been damaged. And don't forget, marmots also love to feast on boots, backpacks, and other equipment.