KevinR, if you could make the trip mid June and make a report, it would be a most appreciated contribution!
Kokopelli, the only thing you need to worry about with the Whitney Portal bears is one sneaking up while you are getting ready to go, and grabbing your backpack and running with it. They're notorious grab-and-run thieves, and have never even touched anyone. If you are starting your hike in the pre-dawn darkness, assume they are close by and waiting for you to step away from your pack. Here's a quote from the North American Black Bear Center
website, page title "How dangerous are black bears?":
That timid attitude still serves black bears well now that people have spread across North America. Startled black bears run away, often to a tree. By contrast, a startled grizzly may charge and occasionally attack, making grizzlies over 20 times more dangerous than black bears.
Thanks to Ken for posting links to this site.
