Attention: 2011 nobo PCT thru-hikers...
Announcing the fifth season of the PCT Perpetual Bear Canister Loan Program...

2011 nobo PCT thrus - are you on a tight budget or have limited finances, or are you
coming from outside the USA or from an area in which you won't have ANY use whatsoever
for a bear canister after your PCT thru-hike?
You may be able to borrow a bear canister for your PCT thru-hike for 'free' (except
return shipping & insurance)...
The loan program is currently NOT done on a 'first come - first served basis', but
rather on a show of 'some' need, however small...

For those that can easily afford to purchase a bear canister, BearVault has an excellent
buy program (formerly a rental program): a BV500 for $65 including shipping to Kennedy
Meadows (or Tuolumne Meadows or Echo Lake) - that's the lowest price on the internet
when shipping is included, plus they send it to you right on the PCT...
See <http://www.bearvault.com/bearvault_pct.php> for full info...

If you think you might qualify for a 'free' bear canister loan for your 2011 nobo PCT
thru-hike, please contact me off-list via email (subject: PCT Bear Can Loan) - and briefly
explain your reason or need to borrow a bear canister for your PCT thru-hike... I'll be
glad to answer most of your questions regarding the loan program...
Sorry, but the loan program is not set up for sobo thrus nor JMT hikers.

Thank you.

Happy trails!!!
Jim "PITA" Payne