>>1191010>>1191035>>1190960>the guy was a troll>since when does LNT involve using bear canistersNo sorry to disappoint anons, but in fact I wasn't trolling. Leave No Trace is more than just leaving a clean campsite, it's a lifestyle in the backcountry. Hanging bags and floating your food are great ideas in concept, but motivated wildlife, not just bears, can and will get your food. I have been on trips in the ADK where pine martens, squirrels, and the like have gotten into bags that were thought to be out of harms way. Bear canisters are not only a fool-proof way that prevent wildlife from getting into your food, but more importantly they are used to prevent wildlife from associating humans with a free meal. By not choosing to use bear canisters you run the risk of the creating nuisance wildlife.
Just because you and other people have success with a method that don't involve a bear can doesn't make it an ethical choice. Even though the Western Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness (where y'all are planning to camp) doesn't mandate the use of bear canisters like the Eastern Zone, the NYSDEC still recommends their use for the reasons I explained above.
