Archived Outdoors

Bear cables get a boost

out bearbagsBackpackers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can continue to keep their food and packs out of reach of bears, thanks to specialty license plate funds. 

 

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has partnered with Friends of the Smokies to provide $1,100 from specialty license plate funds to repair bear cables at two park shelters. Bear cables at the Mollies Ridge shelter and Cosby Knob shelter had become damaged by weathering and use over time.

With proper use by backpackers, the repaired storage system can help reduce the number of bears raiding shelter areas in the park. 

This is the third year the conservancy has provided money from the license plate funds to help reduce black bear access to backpacker food along the A.T. 

The two organizations have also partnered to renovate many of the backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies and to support several other efforts to address trail maintenance and hiker safety.

www.friendsofthesmokies.org or www.appalachiantrail.org/plates

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.