I am going on a backpacking trip just north of Mt. Whitney next mounth.:)
The ranger station that I was getting my permits from said that I need to use a bear can to store all my food in while on our trip. The bears have learned to get bags of food out of the trees.
Does anyone have any experience with these? Do I need to put those vacumm packed freezed dried backpaking dinners that you buy from sporting goods stores in there also, or just things that put off odor that will atract animals?

Also is there some place you can rent these or do I need to buy one:confused:

Thanks for the help.

How many people will read this as "beer cans"? I was going to suggest Dales' Pale Ale.:D

Check the outdoor stores around the park. They may rent some. Just did a search, bear canisters aren't cheap.

I was in Yellowstone NP a few years ago and the rangers were saying that some of the bears were able to open jar lids.:eek:

How many people will read this as "beer cans"? I was going to suggest Dales' Pale Ale.:D



Whiskey is much more buzz per pound.





Plenty of outdoor shops will rent the canisters, it should be pretty cheap, and, yes, keep everything in the canister, even the freeze dried and sealed packages, the bears, and other critters can still smell the food.

Ya, just call around to all the local gear shops most will rent them to ya. And yes keep EVERY thing in them, tooth paste, first aid shit, trash, all of it.

You could also look into Ursacks as a slightly lighter alternative, some places dont accept these as bear canisters though so check on that.

I second renting one if possible. They aren't cheap and they're a bitch to tote. Big time space eaters. I doubt the bears have figured out how to get the bags of food out of trees. My bet is that people have been lazy and half-assed about the way they're hanging their bags. If you hang it right, it'll be at least 12' off the ground and 5' away from the trunk of the tree on a limb that won't support the weight of a decent sized bear. I've never had a problem keeping my food from bears - it's those damned coons you gotta worry about.

I second renting one if possible. They aren't cheap and they're a bitch to tote. Big time space eaters. I doubt the bears have figured out how to get the bags of food out of trees. My bet is that people have been lazy and half-assed about the way they're hanging their bags. If you hang it right, it'll be at least 12' off the ground and 5' away from the trunk of the tree on a limb that won't support the weight of a decent sized bear. I've never had a problem keeping my food from bears - it's those damned coons you gotta worry about.

You've never seen bears flying out of trees, trying to get a hold of the bags? :D

I use one of these, it works great and doesn't take up much room. >>http://www.ursack.com/ursack-catalog.htm

if you go the rei web site it gives reviews for them.

How many people will read this as "beer cans"? I was going to suggest Dales' Pale Ale.:D

Check the outdoor stores around the park. They may rent some. Just did a search, bear canisters aren't cheap.

I was in Yellowstone NP a few years ago and the rangers were saying that some of the bears were able to open jar lids.:eek:

Yep Read the whole thing thinking beer cans, then said WTF.:confused:
I thought some places have the metal containers for your coolers. Same shit like where they lock up the trash cans. But it doesn't sound like you are staying at a major camp. IDK

I have an UrSack as well. I had a bear tear down a tree to get my food before but they can climb too. Early in a trip I still bear bag and put anything with sent in it but all the food/stuff that will fit in the UrSack. I didn't go with a can because of how much of a PITA they are to pack in a internal frame pack.

Don't bring beer...hard liquor is what to bring backpacking. I mixed some Knob Creek with some powered hot cider once...wow that was good!