Bear Canister Questions

My Bearikade bear canister is shipping out today. I am looking for 'link's for info on how to best pack different food items. Preferrably with pictures.

I bought the weekender model which they state it holds enough for about 6-days for one person. If I can get five days worth that'd be fine.

I've always repackaged stuff into ziplocks of various sizes but am wondering what people have been able to stuff in this model of bear canister.

This completely depends on the shape and volume of the food you are packing into it. I'm not sure how others pictures would help you. The biggest problem is usually stuffing square items into a cylindrical container. Pack things tightly and fill up all of the volume and the more you will be able to pack.

To save posting this twice

You need to get the air out of all packaging, including if you repack in zip lock bags. Get a straw and zip the bag with only the straw left, suck air out, quickly pull out straw and zip completely. If left in original package, prick a hole with a pin, squeeze out air and put a piece of scotch tape over the hole.

I am packing right now for a 9-day trip in my Bearikade Weekender- and it ALL fits-- 1.2 lb per day, 2,250 cal per day, to be supplemented by fishing. I cut out circles of wax paper and place between each 2 days food. Keep all the condiments on top (or other items that you use daily such as tea bags).

I have also labeled my can "heavy" on one side and "light" on the other. Because I have to carry my can vertical in my pack, it is important to have the heavier items closer to my back. This really does make a difference in the comfort of carrying. If you are lucky to be able to put your can in your pack horizontally, this is not such an issue.

This is a new one to me--I'll have to try it (even if it means getting organized )

BTW, a half-step between buying a vaccuum sealing system and evacuating standard ziplocks are the Ziplock vacuum bags.
Ziplock Vacuum bags

They work pretty well (not widely carried, though).

Cheers,

Depends on the food and the person. I had room for a bottle of wine in a platypus, and six days food, and trash/hygiene stuff, in a weekender I rented.

Follow Oregon Mouse's tips and you'll do better than 6 days easy.

I have gotten by with food for a nine day trip, first days meals outside of course. I believe Wandering Daisy had a thread a year or two back, maybe she linked to it in her post. Never bothered to add up the calories, I don't lose too much body weight, but get tired some days, so maybe I need a few snacks during the day, which could cut me back to a eight day trip. I repackage freeze dried meals and measure out trail mix, cereal, bulk items for daily consumption. If you eat it or it goes on your skin, it goes in the canister per FS regs.
Duane

WD,

Hey thank you for that extra good bit of advice about the air issue. The people like you who have actually used this type of bear canister is what I needed to read. I quess bagels and cream cheese are out. :>)

Just remembered another thing. The Bearikade is almost but not totally waterproof. Be sure to set it upside down when storing outdoors. Also, be sure to dry it out a home between uses. It has some metal that can rust. I also carry an extra penny to open it, just in case I loose my sporke which I use most often to open it.

I use the screwdriver blade on my knife to open it. I tried carrying 4 nickels and lost them all!

That "heavy" and "light" side is a great idea, W_D, and I'll use it from now on!

Heh, darn nickels.

I keep a washer on a ditty sack drawstring for the task. Haven't lost it...yet.

Oh yeah, sometimes those Dzus fasteners need greasing and spring-bending. They can get cranky.

Cheers,