I know this has been gone over before but has there been any changes with the Bear vault exchange program? As I understand it, the only way to exchange my BV200 is to plan a hike in the Rae Lakes drainage basin. Seems to me if the bears there can figure it out, then the bears in Yosemite shouldn't be to far behind in the learning process. Shouldn't all canisters be exchanged if there is a known possibility of a failure?
I have yet to have any problems with my canister but I will hopefully be attempting the JMT next summer and passing through the area in question. They do have campsites with bear lockers in this area to store my canister but this may limit a few of my choices.
One option I've been considering is planning a warm up hike earlier in the year to Rae Lakes and taking care of the exchange at that time.

Maybe, but in the eyes of the SIBBG the BV200 is adequate everywhere but in the Rae Lakes area. They call the shots.

There are two boxes at Rae Lakes, at least last time I was there in '06. The complete list is here

I exchanged my BV200 in July of '06 at the Lone Pine interagency visitor center. According to the BV website you can still do that while supplies last. I would call in advance to make sure that an exchange is available. Should be no problem if your permit is for the Rae Lakes area or a JMT throughhike.

Hey intrek. I'll stay agnostic for now on the question of what Bearvault should or should not do, but I didn't quite get the second half of your question/proposal.

You could plan a trip to Rae Lakes in advance so you can score a new canister, but if you're going to do the whole JMT (which includes Rae Lakes), why not just pick up the new canister then?

Call Bearvault. If you are doing the JMT, all you need to do is send in the lid from your old BV and they will send you a new updated BV. Your old one will be lidless, so you can use it for storing something else.

That's what I was told from my neighbor who spoke with them in person. I have an old BV and haven't sent the lid in yet.

You may need to scout around to find those bear boxes at Rae Lakes. Be sure to bring some chicken for fajitas, there was a package of flour torillas in the box I used a year ago.:)