Bear Canisters For The PCT
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 10
Jackie
I have significant arthritis. I have found plenty of ways to hike long distances and enjoy it, but sitting down on the ground is an issue for me. I have a lot of difficulty getting up. It is quite painful. But when I carry my chair which weighs 2 # that is a lot of weight. I have switched out a lot of my gear for more expensive things so I can get that chair in. lol. There is a chair which weighs slightly over a pound and would work for me, but that is still a pound. I am still wondering if carrying a bear cannister instead of a bear bag would work well for me, and replace that chair. Yes, it weighs more than the chair, but would serve more than one function. But the con is the function it would replace, like a z packs bear bag weighs almost nothing, and the 1# chair would still weigh less than the bear cannister. lol. A friend of mine hung her bag, got up and found the bag just shredded and the contents on the ground, and mostly eaten, and what was not eaten was ruined. They found no bear tracks, so not sure what got her bag, and how it got to it hanging well away from the tree. And, she just did the PCT last year and had problems in the dessert finding a place to hang her bag, and even though her tent was closed, somehow a mouse got into the tent and chewed through the pack and urinated on some of the food. So, she is a bear can convert, and uses it as a seat as well. So, I guess it depends on what we prefer. I am thinking I am going to get a bear can and try it. If I hate it, I can always go back to the other.
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I have significant arthritis. I have found plenty of ways to hike long distances and enjoy it, but sitting down on the ground is an issue for me. I have a lot of difficulty getting up. It is quite painful. But when I carry my chair which weighs 2 # that is a lot of weight. I have switched out a lot of my gear for more expensive things so I can get that chair in. lol. There is a chair which weighs slightly over a pound and would work for me, but that is still a pound. I am still wondering if carrying a bear cannister instead of a bear bag would work well for me, and replace that chair. Yes, it weighs more than the chair, but would serve more than one function. But the con is the function it would replace, like a z packs bear bag weighs almost nothing, and the 1# chair would still weigh less than the bear cannister. lol. A friend of mine hung her bag, got up and found the bag just shredded and the contents on the ground, and mostly eaten, and what was not eaten was ruined. They found no bear tracks, so not sure what got her bag, and how it got to it hanging well away from the tree. And, she just did the PCT last year and had problems in the dessert finding a place to hang her bag, and even though her tent was closed, somehow a mouse got into the tent and chewed through the pack and urinated on some of the food. So, she is a bear can convert, and uses it as a seat as well. So, I guess it depends on what we prefer. I am thinking I am going to get a bear can and try it. If I hate it, I can always go back to the other.
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Daniel
I have a BV500, once I excepted the fact of the matter. I just adjusted my load out and cut the weight by finding lighter gear. I have to say, it dose have a few additional uses, as you pointed out. I've used it as a stool, a table, washing machine, water can, and sometimes I even carry food in it! But all kindling aside, my osprey Aether 70 with BV500 base weight comes in at 23lbs. I also like that it's a great place holder in my pack when I'm trying some new style of packing gear and I know exactly how much space for food I need. I repack all my freezedry and dehydrated food and I have no problem going eight/nine days at a time. Just thought I would throw that out there, I like my BV500 and don't mind carrying it.
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I have a BV500, once I excepted the fact of the matter. I just adjusted my load out and cut the weight by finding lighter gear. I have to say, it dose have a few additional uses, as you pointed out. I've used it as a stool, a table, washing machine, water can, and sometimes I even carry food in it! But all kindling aside, my osprey Aether 70 with BV500 base weight comes in at 23lbs. I also like that it's a great place holder in my pack when I'm trying some new style of packing gear and I know exactly how much space for food I need. I repack all my freezedry and dehydrated food and I have no problem going eight/nine days at a time. Just thought I would throw that out there, I like my BV500 and don't mind carrying it.
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Dick
A side note for bear canisters; always put the lid on when you are not adding or taking out items. We just finished backpacking in the Eastern Sierras, and my daughter left the lid off to the side for a minute or two. During that time, a Deer Mouse hopped inside and spent the night locked inside the canister. We found much of her food spoiled by chewing, urine and feces. Very bloated, trembling mouse was deposited on a boulder, were it stayed trembling for over an hour, before it could crawl off. Incident left us a bit short on food, plus a lot of cleanup. Not sure mouse learned not to eat people food, it appeared to know a canister was a food source.
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A side note for bear canisters; always put the lid on when you are not adding or taking out items. We just finished backpacking in the Eastern Sierras, and my daughter left the lid off to the side for a minute or two. During that time, a Deer Mouse hopped inside and spent the night locked inside the canister. We found much of her food spoiled by chewing, urine and feces. Very bloated, trembling mouse was deposited on a boulder, were it stayed trembling for over an hour, before it could crawl off. Incident left us a bit short on food, plus a lot of cleanup. Not sure mouse learned not to eat people food, it appeared to know a canister was a food source.
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Gregory
Some people get carried away with their external pack mounting and strapping of bear canisters. If you fix the straps to the canister in order to ensure they don't slip off, then you've created the perfect hold for bears to run away with the canister. The bear may still not be able to eat what's inside, but neither will you. Stitch a few lengths of strap together to form a cradle that envelopes both the round and flat parts of the canister, but do not attach it to the canister.
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Some people get carried away with their external pack mounting and strapping of bear canisters. If you fix the straps to the canister in order to ensure they don't slip off, then you've created the perfect hold for bears to run away with the canister. The bear may still not be able to eat what's inside, but neither will you. Stitch a few lengths of strap together to form a cradle that envelopes both the round and flat parts of the canister, but do not attach it to the canister.
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Elettra
Thanks for the video. May I know what to do with the canister after the Sierra? Where can I mail it to while I finish the trail? I have the same question for all the gear I use only on a section of the trail (for example ice axe. What to do with them when you don't need them anymore? Considering I'm from Italy and don't have any relative or friend in US. Thanks: )
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Thanks for the video. May I know what to do with the canister after the Sierra? Where can I mail it to while I finish the trail? I have the same question for all the gear I use only on a section of the trail (for example ice axe. What to do with them when you don't need them anymore? Considering I'm from Italy and don't have any relative or friend in US. Thanks: )
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Michael
When I looked at these on REI, one of the comments said they're banned in one area, the Adirondacks, because the bears are chewing right through them. I'm not planning to hike in that area at the moment, but I'd rather get something else if these can't actually withstand a determined bear. Have you heard anything about this?
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When I looked at these on REI, one of the comments said they're banned in one area, the Adirondacks, because the bears are chewing right through them. I'm not planning to hike in that area at the moment, but I'd rather get something else if these can't actually withstand a determined bear. Have you heard anything about this?
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Carl
Ranger checked me for bear can. last year in May 2018 on my La Push 3rd beach to Oil City hike. I use the BV500. 2. 9 lbs 700 cubic inches. Washington state you can rent a bear can for free with your hiking permit. . black, heavy, smaller. 614 cubic inches. 2. 12 lbs. beer keg looking cans. 8. 00 per night in 2018.
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Ranger checked me for bear can. last year in May 2018 on my La Push 3rd beach to Oil City hike. I use the BV500. 2. 9 lbs 700 cubic inches. Washington state you can rent a bear can for free with your hiking permit. . black, heavy, smaller. 614 cubic inches. 2. 12 lbs. beer keg looking cans. 8. 00 per night in 2018.
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Frank
Hey Dixie I noticed you suggested the Wild Ideas Bearikade Blazer but I didn't think that was an approved Canister for the entire PCT. I thought the only two Wild Ideas canisters approved for the PCT were the Weekender and the Expedition. Would taking the Blazer honestly cause any problems in your opinion?
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Hey Dixie I noticed you suggested the Wild Ideas Bearikade Blazer but I didn't think that was an approved Canister for the entire PCT. I thought the only two Wild Ideas canisters approved for the PCT were the Weekender and the Expedition. Would taking the Blazer honestly cause any problems in your opinion?
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Neda
I have to use a bear can on most every hike I do - Ive grown to love it. The weight is the weight, but its so nice not to have to hang. your food wont get crushed. no squirrels no marmots, no dead bears. albeit obsessively packed, I went into the sierras for 6 nights with the BV400. just for comparison
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I have to use a bear can on most every hike I do - Ive grown to love it. The weight is the weight, but its so nice not to have to hang. your food wont get crushed. no squirrels no marmots, no dead bears. albeit obsessively packed, I went into the sierras for 6 nights with the BV400. just for comparison
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Paddle
Nice review! BV are less authorised since bears are sometimes able to chew them but the others are great in my opinion. I used the big 716ci Counter Assault keg and the small Bare boxer (did some reviews. But the major deal here is to be safe. Thanks for sharing your tips and reviews
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Nice review! BV are less authorised since bears are sometimes able to chew them but the others are great in my opinion. I used the big 716ci Counter Assault keg and the small Bare boxer (did some reviews. But the major deal here is to be safe. Thanks for sharing your tips and reviews
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