Bear containers

I have seen two sizes of Bear cans. I've heard of a kevlar bear bag but I don't think it is approved for Yosemite. Is there a Bear can that is small that would work for one person for a one night backpack outting? I'm planning for Yosemite in July and don't like the idea of lugging one of their huge cans just to go out one night. Besides that darn thing weighs 5 pounds! Thanks

you probably want a BV450, it weighs just over 2 lbs and is a good solo container for a couple nights (or more depending on how you pack):

http://www.rei.com/product/768901/bearvault-bv450-solo-food-container

The Ursack is the kevlar bag and is indeed not approved for yosemite:

http://www.ursack.com/

Bearikade is lighter than the BV but significantly more expensive: http://www.wild-ideas.net/products.html

I think one of the issues with bear can design is that they be large enough so a bear cannot get its jaws around one. So one smaller that the two already suggested is unlikely.

There's the small size Bare Boxer Contender.

Agreed, you don't want Mr. (or Mrs.) Bear carrying off your canister in his/her jaws!

I think the relatively heavy Garcia only (Ha!...only...) weighs 3.3 lbs. I have 2 of these and for sure they are under 3.5 lbs. The others I've seen are under 3 lbs.

The other thing is that you can rent bear canisters.

go to the gear store and/or the grocery store in Yosemite Village. They sell the Bare Boxer Contender for forty bucks. It is the lightest and most affordable option on the list of approved canisters for both SEKI and Yosemite.

The Ursack seems to work judging by the video. Do you know why Yosemite does not allow them?

That looks like the way I'll go. I rented the larger container last June, but they are huge. Do you know if anyone rents the smaller Bare Boxer?

never seen it as a rental. You can rent all sizes of Bearikade by mail and return it the same way, tho. It's quite reasonable to do that - tho a lot of trouble for an overnight. I rent Bearikades for 5+ days.

Because for very determined bears, they do not work. There are pictures on a number of trip reports in the Sierra through the Yosemite region that show Ursacks ripped open - you can't rely on Ursacks in the Sierra.

This is the first I've heard of this brand. I checked out their website and did a quick online search but didn't find where they are made. Do you know where they are made?

I'm not anti-anyone, but I try to buy US products when possible. I suppose if I were French I'd want French made products. But I'm an American, so there you go. I believe both Bearikade and BearVault are US made.

The Ursack issue has been the subject of a lot of controversy and several lawsuits. The lawsuits have lost so far. Ursack claims that all the failures are user error, but National Park Service data contradicts that.

It does appear that in areas such as Yosemite where bears have been thoroughly conditioned that any bag is a pinata full of goodies, the bears keep working and working at the Ursack. They sometimes puncture enough holes in the sack so they get a good taste of the contents (mixing them with saliva) and even if they don't penetrate, they often crush the contents. Ursack doesn't consider this a failure but the NPS does--so do some users. In a few instances, such persistent bears have been able to rip the Ursack open.

Personally, I own two Ursacks (one for my food, one for my dog's food) and use them at all times except in places where bear canisters are required. I certainly would never use Ursacks around Yosemite bears, though, even if allowed!

Be aware that if you do not use an approved bearproof container in Yosemite and a ranger checks your pack, you will be subject to the revocation of your overnight permit and will very likely be fined. The rules are pretty clear and everyone is expected to follow them.

Fined up to $5000 per the ranger's discretion.

I know someone who's been caught two days out and walked back to his car, and fined. They will walk you out for not having a wilderness permit, not storing food properly, or for taking a dog with you. Yosemite is the most heavily policed wilderness area in the mountain range, I'd bet you. I've run into rangers on nearly every overnight trip and a good number of the day hikes.

Most bear canisters on the approved list are made in California. The Bare Boxer company is based in Westlake Village, the Garcia is out of Visalia, Bearikades come from Santa Ynez.

The Counter Assault Bear Keg is made in Montana.

Bear Vault is another important player, out of San Diego, CA.

Yep! I forgot about them, which is funny, I had to ask him for a new lid for mine.