Bear Conflict Avoidance
   . . .and Promise of Bear Precautions to be Taken

READ BEFORE SIGNING

When making a solo trip though country where Grizzly and Black bears are common, it only makes sense to be "bear aware".  By far the best protection against bears is "safety in numbers".  Bears seldom, if ever, attack a group of six or more people. For few teams in this race is that an option.
By signing this document you are asserting that you know about the risks that bears pose, and how to mitigate them.  Any advice is this document is trivial compared to the knowledge that competitors already have.
The risk from bears is predominantly when camping.  To mitigate the risks, the generally accepted advice is to have your tent, your food storage area, your food preparation area, and your boat in well separated places, and to maintain a clean camp.
This may mitigate, but does not eliminate, the threat from bears.
It is also wise to store food and cooking equipment in a bear proof manner.  For more complete information see the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Web Page.
Bear proof storage should be used for all food and cooking equipment throughout the race.  Bear proof storage MUST be used for all food and cooking equipment while in the Yukon Charley National Preserve.  The Yukon River passes through the Yukon Charley National Preserve between Eagle and Circle.
Bear proof storage means storing all food and cooking equipment either in bear proof containers or hanging all food and cooking equipment at least ten (10) feet from the ground, and at least four (4) feet from any tree. Hanging food in this way is very difficult given the vegetation in the area, and bear proof containers are recommended.

I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND HAVE RESEARCHED AND UNDERSTAND THE RISK OF BEAR ATTACKS AND HOW TO MITIGATE THEM. I AGREE TO STORE MY FOOD AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN A BEAR PROOF WAY USING INTERAGENCY GRIZZLY BEAR COMMITTEE (IGBC) APPROVED CONTAINERS OR TO HANG MY FOOD AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE APPROVED FASHION, AT THE VERY LEAST WHILE IN THE YUKON CHARLEY NATIONAL PERSERVE.

X_______________________________________DATE SIGNED:____________________
             (Participant's Signature)

X_____________________________________________________________________________
             (Participant's name and address.  Please print)