Geared up to leave Kennedy Meadows South

Moving onto the Sierra mountain range means it's time to pack the bear cannister for the first time. There was tangible stress in the air as people tried to figure out how to get enough food in their can. Some questionable techniques were seen (see picture two).

A bear cannister is a requirement for upcoming sections. It is a tool used to protect a hiker's food from bears, and to protect bears from hiker's food. The saying is "a feed bear is a dead bear." If bears become habituated to gaining food from hikers, they can become dangerous and risk having to be destroyed.

A bear cannister has a lid that requires thumbs to open, is too round for a bear to carry off, and has a diameter that a bear can't get their jaws around.

We headed just two miles back on trail to a campground where a trail magic event was taking place as a celebration of life for Meadow Ed, the original PCT trail angel. We head deeper into the Sierra tomorrowLäs mer