Appalachian Trail Visitors encouraged to carry Bear-Resistant Food Storage Containers

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is recommending that all overnight visitors carry bear-resistant food storage containers as a vital part of their backpacking gear.  This policy comes after a multi-year increase in human-bear encounters at Appalachian Trail campsites.  By using a bear-resistant container, hikers will help minimize their chances of a negative bear encounter on the Trail and help prevent more bears from becoming habituated to humans as a source of food.