Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#161170 - 01/26/12 12:23 PM Bear containers
rm56 Offline
member

Registered: 06/12/11
Posts: 60
Loc: Northern CA, Placer co.
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

Top
#161172 - 01/26/12 12:44 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
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

Top
#161174 - 01/26/12 12:57 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
PerryMK Online   content
member

Registered: 01/18/02
Posts: 1391
Loc: Florida panhandle
Originally Posted By rm56
Is there a Bear can that is small that would work for one person for a one night backpack outting?


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.

Top
#161194 - 01/26/12 04:18 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: PerryMK]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
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!
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#161195 - 01/26/12 04:26 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
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.


Edited by skcreidc (01/26/12 04:28 PM)

Top
#161209 - 01/26/12 06:14 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
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.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#161211 - 01/26/12 07:04 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: BZH]
rm56 Offline
member

Registered: 06/12/11
Posts: 60
Loc: Northern CA, Placer co.
The Ursack seems to work judging by the video. Do you know why Yosemite does not allow them?

Top
#161212 - 01/26/12 07:07 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: lori]
rm56 Offline
member

Registered: 06/12/11
Posts: 60
Loc: Northern CA, Placer co.
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?

Top
#161214 - 01/26/12 07:33 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
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.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#161215 - 01/26/12 07:35 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
Originally Posted By rm56
The Ursack seems to work judging by the video. Do you know why Yosemite does not allow them?


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.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#161218 - 01/26/12 07:47 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: OregonMouse]
PerryMK Online   content
member

Registered: 01/18/02
Posts: 1391
Loc: Florida panhandle
Originally Posted By OregonMouse
There's the small size Bare Boxer Contender.
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.

Top
#161221 - 01/26/12 07:51 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
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!
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#161223 - 01/26/12 08:00 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: rm56]
aimless Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
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.

Top
#161226 - 01/26/12 08:07 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: aimless]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
Originally Posted By aimless
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.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#161227 - 01/26/12 08:11 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: PerryMK]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
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.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#161236 - 01/26/12 09:59 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: lori]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Bear Vault is another important player, out of San Diego, CA.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#161237 - 01/26/12 10:10 PM Re: Bear containers [Re: OregonMouse]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
Yep! I forgot about them, which is funny, I had to ask him for a new lid for mine.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum