bear-proof canisters

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PB Wilson

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According to the Adirondack Park authorities backpackers must carry their food in a bear-proof canister and not rely on food bags because the bears have become so adept at stealing hiker's grub. The rangers warned folks earlier this year about the change and said that they would escort backpackers back to the trailhead to either go home or rent one and then hit the trail.

I believe that it's the same way in some national parks.

I got a smaller-sized one although it's bigger than I'd like. I guess that if it was any smaller a bear could get a purchase on it and possibly get it open. Anyway, it's impossible to put in a daypack or even a smaller, narrower overnight pack and because of the design, it's a challenge to lash it on without upsetting the balance of a pack.

I see the point especially in the parks where bear activity due to camper's negligence has led to the death of bears. Hopefully if the bears learn that hikers and campers are not an easy source of food, they will look elsewhere for their grub. Otherwise it's a real PITA.

Thoughts?
 
Yep, bear proof cannisters are inconvenient.

Speaking of which, I've been meaning to try to bring my innovative design for an improved cannister toward production. I'll have to get back on that....

Try to dwell on the good side, I guess. They make great stools, "washing machines", refrigerators, etc.
 
I bought an Ursack a number of years ago when they first came on the market. It's cool to me, but not to several national parks or the rangers in the Adirondacks.

My gripes with it are that it may keep bears from completely taking my food, but they can mash the hell out of it and make an enormous mess of hummus, freeze dried noodles, dried apricots, hot cocoa, teabags, lip balm and sunscreen. Also, some small rodents chewed the hell out of different parts on one trip. Their teeth are well suited to chewing through this extra tough fabric.:grumpy:
 
I have the Garcia Bear Canister that REI used to stock (doesn't seem to be on the site anymore). I have had good luck with it, and it has survived several bear and raccoon scuffles. I won't go up into the North Georgia mountains without one, since thanks to people, the bears up there are way too smart.

The first time I went backpacking with my now wife, we went up to Jacks River. We put our food in a backpack, strung it up about 30-40' off the ground on a stout tree limb with paracord and tied it off on the tree. The friggin' bear untied the paracord, got the bag down, opened all the zippers, and ate all the food he could get to. We had no food, which sucked, but it was only ~12 miles back to the car, so we were just nice and hungry by the time we got back.

I knew it was a bear instead of a human because of the claw marks on the tree where it was tied, the bear slobber covering everything, and the giant teeth and claw puncture marks on some of the food containers.

Anyway, after that, I bought the Garcia and took it with us every time. I just set it on the ground away from the campsite, with the food in one of those odor resistant bags. I pile a few rocks around it and just leave it there. I have seen bears and raccoons smack it around with no luck. They eventually just give up and go get food from one of the other campers who have their food tied up in a tree. :D
 
PB Wilson said:
I bought an Ursack a number of years ago when they first came on the market. It's cool to me, but not to several national parks or the rangers in the Adirondacks.

My gripes with it are that it may keep bears from completely taking my food, but they can mash the hell out of it and make an enormous mess of hummus, freeze dried noodles, dried apricots, hot cocoa, teabags, lip balm and sunscreen. Also, some small rodents chewed the hell out of different parts on one trip. Their teeth are well suited to chewing through this extra tough fabric.:grumpy:
Click to expand...

Why cant you just put it up into a tree?
 
We rented a couple last time, not knowing they were required. I still hung them up in a tree and didn't have a problem.

I won't go off on a tangent on how asinine it is having to pack extra bulk and weight. And that I went through a couple decades of backpacking without a bear can with not a single problem. (Okay, not much of a tangent anyway)
 
Large diameter (8"-10") PVC pipe with one glued-in end plug and one screw-in plug. For the screw-in, get the type of plug that fits inside, and finishes flush with the end of pipe. Drill one hole (not two!) in the end of the plug for a rope or, better still if you can afford the weight, chain. Some company used to make something like this back in the 70's and they worked well for us despite the best efforts of a couple of Yellowstone and Yosemite bears!

Stitchawl
 
tknife said:
I won't go off on a tangent on how asinine it is having to pack extra bulk and weight. And that I went through a couple decades of backpacking without a bear can with not a single problem. (Okay, not much of a tangent anyway)
Click to expand...

Yeah, it just depends on where you are. I have been places where I could leave a sandwich outside on a rock overnight and have it still sitting there in the morning. I have also been places where bears know how to untie knots and unzip zippers. :)
 
benchmadebob said:
Why cant you just put it up into a tree?
Click to expand...

I have, but the bears in certain parts of the Adirondacks are quite adept at getting stuff out of the trees. They have learned to work in teams. The rodent damage was when I was camping in a spot without suitable trees.
 
I have several, including those from Garcia and some made out of 8" PVC pipe. For backpacking, I use the Ursack. It's OK in Yosemite if you have the metal liner. Generally I use it without the metal liner. I put the food in the highly scent impermeable zip-lock style bags sold by REI and Ursack. I counterbalance hang the bag when possible. When it has to stay on the ground, I put a few paradichlorobenzene mothballs around it and a very thin sheet of plastic over the top. So far the scent impermeable liner bags have kept varmints from smelling the food and me from smelling any mothball scent on the food. I've used this setup in CA, MT, and AK with no bear or varmint problems.

DancesWithKnives
 
several local hikers here returned a URSACK to Mountain Equipment Coop. Apparently a bear had been adept at standing on the sack and biting the fabric open. It was shredded.

I like the hard bear canisters with the coin lock (use a coin to twist open the lock). They are also the only legal bear canister for National Provincial and USA parks.
 
I have the coin lock Garcia expedition size cannister but it is pretty heavy to carry. I use it for horse/canoe/raft trips, along with the home-made PVC containers.

Yosemite and a couple other US parks approved the Ursack as long as it has the metal liner installed. Even with the liner, mine was still way lighter than the Garcia.

I've found that if you suppress the food scent, the bears/varmints generally won't launch a determined assault on your container. When you add the repellant value of the mothballs, I've had many bears just walk right by (both black and brownies) without even a close sniff.

I'm sure the Ursack has a higher failure risk than the Garcia but it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make on any pack trip of more than 2-3 days.

DancesWithKnives
 
It is something I have had to get used to in the Sierras, where they are required in many areas. Rangers can ask to see them in the back country, and if you don't have an approved model, you can expect a $150 fine or more. I have been asked several times. No homemade versions are acceptable. And even then, bears have learned how to get into some of the approved models. Note that the Ursack with liner is no longer on the approved list. I have a Garcia and Bearvault, and I want to get a Bearikade.

They do make very handy stools, and it is nice not to have to hang food.

http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/approvedcontainers.htm
 
Bushman5 said:
I like the hard bear canisters with the coin lock (use a coin to twist open the lock). They are also the only legal bear canister for National Provincial and USA parks.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for those northern parks but in the US the BearVault is legal. It's built like a big jar and the lid unscrews, no tools required.
 
lambertiana,

Thanks for bringing to my attention the 2008 change in status of the Ursack. It's no longer on the SIBBG list, pending resolution of the lawsuit filed by Ursack. On Ursack's website it says their product is still legal in many Sierra areas "including Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Inyo, and parts of Yosemite." Guess I'll have to carry my Garcia if I go to SIBBG areas before the legal action is resolved. I generally avoid national parks like the plague but some of my pals schedule backpacks there and I enjoy hiking with those folks.

I really like the looks of the Bearikade but haven't bought one because my other units have worked so well (until now, anyway).

Thanks,

DancesWithKnives
 
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