We don’t stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking.
- Finis Mitchell
https://lighterpack.com/r/6yyu2j
It was a bear vault....just did a loop recently that included the Thomas Knob shelter and did some research prehike and found this review on hikingupward concerning the loop:
"We began our week long backpacking adventure with great anticipation. We stopped at the ranger station and were told of some bear activity around Rodo Gap Trail and Thomas Knob Shelter. The Nation Forest Service has placed an electric fence with a bear proof metal box inside the fence at the Thomas Knob Shelter and just north of the shelter they placed an electric fence but without the bear proof box. We camped north of the shelter and placed our BV450 Bear Vault inside the fence. One other couple placed their BV450 in the fence along with another individual placing a Bear Bag. Awaking Tuesday morning to our surprise out Vault was outside the fence and all our food eaten except for the coffee and the lid bitten and clawed open. The other couples BV450 was opened in the exact same manner and their food eaten. So, nothing to do but hike out with one nutrition bar between us and return home to re-supply. We reported this to the ranger station and they took pictures telling us they would make a report to the NFS. Grayson Highlands and the surrounding territory will always be favorite but be aware a bear or bears can open the BV450 Bear Vault."
The more important fact is that the electric fence didnt work at all.
No bearcan is bear proof.
Even to approve for grizzly I a its 1 hr of bear-play.
Given time, a bear will get into any cannister, which is why the rangers at yosemite say keep it close and drive any bear away by shouting, banging pots, etc.
The more important fact is that the electric fence didnt work at all.
No bearcan is bear proof.
Even to approve for grizzly I a its 1 hr of bear-play.
Given time, a bear will get into any cannister, which is why the rangers at yosemite say keep it close and drive any bear away by shouting, banging pots, etc.
although you can likely find coin in dirt at well used campsites
this is true and reminds me of my trip up to big schloss one year...
my dad dropped me off at the bottom trail so i could make loop (cant remember trail name) and i was feeling like crap and throwing up...
one of the first campsites i saw, that was about 300 yards from the trailhead at road, i could spot a coin in the dirt from about 50 feet away or so..
also, could see, while it was worn and matched surroundings, that it was a wheat penny.....
I found coins at several campspots on jmt
Possibly dropped bearikade "keys"
For sure, was merely answering what a couple people in this thread asked. I do find it interesting it was able to power through the fence or figure out how to bypass it. When I hiked past the TK shelter, I noticed the fence was intact and theres an actual bear box inside of the fence as well.....
Just for the record, I just got back from doing part of ME (Rangeley to Monson) and although it appears to have been completely unnecessary I carried my bear can the whole time. I don't know what my point is here other than to say that it's not a big deal carrying one in my opinion.
AT: 2007-2019 (45 sections)
JMT: 2013
The times they may be changin’. See:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc...d=FSEPRD591471
Cosmo
I been sayin for years
1. It would happen eventually
2. Its the right thing to do to reduce bear-human interactions and protect bears, in THEIR home
The only possible argument against, is humans are lazy and selfish, and prone to destroy everything they come in contact with