Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Ursack's Allowed?

Haven't been up the mountain in a while.

Back around say, 2005 or 2006 I bought a Ursack S29 Hybrid (with the aluminum liner). Was allowed "conditionally" that year. Then the next year, wasn't any more and used the Garcia.

Heading back up again this June and on Ursack website under FAQ's (under PCT question) it says, "The Forest Service Order for Inyo National Forest for 2009 allows Ursacks. It says: food must be stored in a container designed to prevent access by bears. In the past, Inyo has specified only SIBBG approved containers. That is no longer the case." (Note: FAQ updated recently, above text is current)

Can't find any useful information re this on www.fs.usda.gov. It points you at "http://sierrawild.gov/bears/" which in turn points you back at "www.fs.usda.gov". You go in a circle.

Yosemite/SEKI aside, just thought I'd confirm my understanding of the Ursack FAQ as it apples to the main Mt. Whitney trail: That bear canisters are no longer limited to the SIBBG containers and I *can* use my old Ursack S29 Hybrid.

Thanks!

Hey Man! Great to see you post. It's been a while. Yes you interpreted it correctly. The Ursack is fine. I like them because of the weight and bulk savings however if a bear tries to get in to your Ursack you run the risk of your food getting smashed. A canister will help avoid that issue. Either an Ursack or Garcia is fine though.

Thanks Kurt! Appreciate the update!