Or use the end of your unopened knife if you carry one of the very small Swiss Army knives. Generally though I just use my thumb but in cold weather the plastic is a little stiffer.
Hey Frozen, Marmalade here. As a person who’s completed the PCT and also lives in San Diego and is out on section A or B almost every week weather permitting I think I have a lot of experience in the desert portion of the trail. I would suggest maybe going to 1 1/2 liter bottles instead of 1 liters. Gives you more water carrying capacity and let bottles to deal with in your pack every day. You don’t have to fill them if you do t need too. Also gives you more room for other things in your side pockets. In terms of the bear can I’ve used them many many times. For me the easiest way is use the handle end/edge of your spoon which means you may have to carry somewhere outside your bear can. Maybe on a caribeaner. Anyways enjoying your videos and looking forward to your impressions of the pct compared to the AT. I think you will be pleasantly surprised as well as surprised that it’s not easy like everyone seems to think. Probably the most beautiful of the three though for sure! Good luck! Marmalade
As others have said, something slim and stiff (old gift card, credit card, driver's license, etc.) slid in between the lid and the catch makes it super easy to open. I usually use the nail file on my Victorinox Executive since that's always close at hand.
wedge a card in between the lid and the little blue notch it will twist right open. i recommend using a gift card or hotel key card instead of credit card or id because sometimes it can scratch ur card a little. but give it a try and you will see its so easy to twist open with a card wedged in-between the notch
Using the Koozie for keeping your oatmeal warm is a good idea. I bring a few of those little black binder clips to keep the oatmeal packet closed. I use them to hang my wet clothes out to dry too.
my advice on the bear can.....just get a Bearikade. Easier to open, easier to pack (wider opening), lighter. I love mine so much I just hike with it all the time even when not required - not having to worry about finding a tree and getting a proper hang is so nice. You're spending how much money just doing this hike? What's another $300.
I'm good with the Bear Vault. I get what you are saying though and considered it but. It's only a couple ounces difference and will fit my v strap better.
Exact same cook setup I use, minus the cozy. I have a HMG cozy my hubby got me for Christmas one year. And I keep my pot setup in a Lite AF cookpot bag.
Add my vote to using the plastic card to open the bear vault. I found that works the best even with cold hands. I use an old Amazon gift card that's been spent.
Bear vault, agree with end of spoon or lighter to press in. Another tip- put a small sticker on the top of the lid where the tabs are. You will always place it in the right spot for opening without searching for the darn tabs. Whether you set can between your feet, or what I do is sit on ground with can between my legs. Another tip- if it is going to freeze overnight, set your can upside down, less chance the lid freezes.
Nice video Frozen! That bear can is a pain to open - I splurged for the Berikade one. For the Washington section food requirements - you can still hang your food and be in compliance 👍
I cannot wait for your hike to begin! I really enjoyed your AT hike, but I enjoy watching PCT hikes more so your video style on the PCT is going to be great!
I used the BV475 on the SHT last fall just for the hell of it. Perfect size and worked great. Appreciate the good tips in this thread about how to open more easily!
Nice gear! Best of luck on the PCT Frozen! I live near the Big Bear section of the trail so lmk if you need a ride somewhere. Happy to help. You can't go wrong with Soto. I have the Windmaster and just put the arms around the stove and wrap the whole thing in a microfiber towel so it doesn't rattle and scratch my pot. The Amicus will work fine for ya. My tip for opening the bear vault is to carry an extra card with you (thick like a credit card but not one you use) and slide it in between the locking point when you go to turn the lid free.
Thanks for sharing your food and cook system for the PCT. For the bear can, only lock it at night when you go to bed, no need to lock it throughout the day. If you're worried about the lid unscrewing if carrying outside your pack, then just lock one of the two. On my PCT thru, I was similar to you for the water. I carried three 1-liter bottles plus a 20oz Gatorade bottle for mixing Gatorade in. Then I had a Platypus 1L and 2L soft bag, similar to the Evernew you have. I never used both of those at the same time, but found it easier to use the 1-L bag if that's all I needed. Oh, last I heard, there is a 40 mile water carry between Tehachapi and Kennedy Meadows South, unless there is water at Walker Pass. That would depend if you went to town at Walker Pass or not. I didn't.
When opening the cannister have the two tabs close but not touching before you press the side in. That is what catches on mine. Then once it is open make sure to fill it with Dottie's Chicken and Dumplings and some Texas state fair chili.
On the lid problem, try rubbing a little silicon or teflon grease with a q-tip around the top of the container and the threads. On trail you might have to re-lubricate (re-fresh) it with a touch of vegetable oil. Cheers!
Use an old plastic card to slide between the latch and the lid and it will slide right open. I made a little pocket with duct tape on the lid and keep the card there so it's always handy.
Put a paracord on entire the outside of the lid with a slip knot that will tighten put a tent stake thru the loop of the sinch and creat torsion to creat even tension around the whole lid at once and it should open easier. kinda week the tent stake counter clockwise aginst the lid to open Let me know if ya want a vid
With my Soto Windmaster, I use a small Micro-biner to clip the Triplex pot stand to the stove. Very light and I won’t lose it. The larger 4-plex pot stand is too big and heavy for a solo hiker.
I had two (almost) one liter Nalgene bottles and the rest of my capacity in collapsible "bottles". Total capacity was just over 5l. I started last day of April but had fairly cold/wet first month so probably not representative conditions in South California. Still, rarely needed to use any of the collapsible capacity and usually only for short stretches from last water source to a dry camp. I needed the full 5+ liters only once (on the rim walk) and to me 2 liters in bottles and the rest collapsible was a much better mix than four liters in bottles would have been.
Really hard to tell. Personally I'd switch at least one of the bottles to a collapsible one. I'd feel comfortable with 5L total, but everyone is different when it comes to water usage and I never had an extreme heat period as it was a couple of years ago. Maybe you know already, but I learned fairly quickly how much water I'd need for say every five miles in the fairly dry climate of the PCT. Then I'd adjust up a bit if it was really hot, but also felt it was fine to arrive thirsty at the next source if I knew it was reliable. I'm not into planning too far ahead but on the PCT I tried to have an idea about water sources at least for the next day or so. That way I could see if a dry camp was inevitable or could by avoided by adjusting the milage up (or down). If it was unavoidable then I'd always cook dinner and drink a lot at the last source before the dry stretch.
I used your suggestion to soak my water filters in vinegar overnight and OMG! They’re like brand new again with the flow rate. Thank you so much! They were about to go in the trash because they were all so clogged with minerals.
Not me just realizing I can put a bladder on TOP of my pack 😣 If I don’t need my bear can while day hiking…and starting the 46 this year…..that will definitely work! I love your channel - have learned SO MUCH. I’ve been so busy and I am SOOO far behind. Can’t WAIT to follow along! I know a friend of a friend starting NOBO in April. Can’t wait to hear all about BOTH your hikes 😊
Great video! I haven't used a bear canister yet. We are going to the Smokies and somewhere else around there in early May. Most likely I won't film very much of that trip like last year. It's more of an enjoyment hiking trip for us. The AT will still happen for us someday. 2028 was our projected year.
Ironically the middle size bear cannister is "just right". 😂 watching from Christchurch, New Zealand. Followed your AT hike so looking forward to the PCT! 😊
Nope I'm not. It's just a discount code. I get kick backs on LiteAF, Zpacks, and amazon links if you wanna use them though. If you don't want to save the money on PackitGourmet don't use my code, I don't care.
Looking good. The 4 plex is a bit annoying but the pot sits a bit lower than the Amicus so theoretically better fuel efficiency. I should have picked up the Amicus for the convenience and size. The igniter fails on the Windmaster.
Most piezo igniters fail at high altitudes. So much that I just carry a Bic lighter or spark lighter and never use the Piezo, no matter what stove I’m using. At lower altitudes, I’ve never had issues.
How about a giant rubber band? Or glue some rubber patches to the lid sides. Even some inexpensive (and light) bands to wrap round your hands might be enough. It’s friction you need. 👌
Just crappy tasters choice stuff packets. I've been through the expensive brands but they always tasted burnt to me. I like a light to medium roast and very open to suggestions for coffee that's easy to get on the trail.
I’d love it if you could show us how you use your smartwater bottles with the sawyer. If you connect the two, how does the air escape from the bottom bottle while the water flows from the top one?
You connect the sawyer to the bottle with the unfiltered water and squeeze into the empty water bottle. It's not directly connected to the empty bottle. If you're going to use this way, might want to mark the unfiltered bottle so you know that bottle is the one to always use for unfiltered water.
Polished bowl is the only way. Lick clean, wipe on shirt, good to go. That's a cool stove. I run a Soto Windmaster and recognized the burner till you flipped those supports up. I'm gonna check that one out. That being said I , luckily, still have the original 3 prong supports. The Soto burner itself is fantastic though. Pack it gormet nice, shout out to Shug, in the north, formally of the south, gorge adjacent. He's the first one I saw recommending their food. Whoo buddy.
Just a heads up, the Amicus stove doesn't have a regulator so you'll lose performance once the fuel gets low and it's cold. I've been looking at the Fire Maple Polaris. It's almost the same design and price as the Amicus but with a regulator.
You definitely need a lot of water in that desert. Glad you found a way to open that bear canister in the comments that would suck being all hungry after a long hard day and can’t get the thing open. You and Sintax77 are a lot alike would be cool to see you two get together sometime.
nice setup. its a BV it will be fine no one will know. the 475 is surely as strong as the others. the small one is way too small. Roxana and i can put 5 days worth (2people) in ours so you should be fine with the smaller one. YOU CAN DO IT. your thumbs will get it open it is not so bad and it loosens up a little after you use it some. i have used it in extreme cold often enough. kinda stupid ours the big one is actually the BV450/500 (what?) yeah. stamped on the bottom is BV450/500, makes no sense at all it is actually a 500. hopefully it will not be super cold when you hit the sierra. April is cold but it does warm up nicely in the daytime. big rain headed our way this weekend that will up the snow some but still overall we are a bit below average for the year, you'll be fine. big plus, tons of water there will be creeks everywhere you wont have to carry water far.
I've been looking forward to your comments man! I read on the FB groups and reddit that 10 feet of snow is expected this week in the Sierra. Worried about it but we'll see what actually happens. I'm probably going to arrive in (and have to go through) the Sierra in mid to late May. I don't have the option to wait until June 15th so still watching the snow reports and weather every few days.
@@FrozensAdventures even with ten more feet we would only be at about average depth which means most of it is melted off by May, you'll be fine. There will be some snow but nothing like last year's debacle
Shhhh. Don't tell anybody, but I slept with my food without any problems in SoCal, Oregon and Washington. I didn't do the Sierra (injury). In northern Washington you will want to hang to avoid mice.
Isn't that 5 liters of water capacity? You're one bottle is dirty. Unless you're assuming coming from civilization where all 6 liters are clean and bottles clean/new.
I push on the lid of the bear cannister with back of my lighter and turn.
good one ill remember that. i find my thumbs can usually do it and it gets easier with practice
Great idea!
EDIT: THIS WORKS PERFECT! Thanks!
Or use the end of your unopened knife if you carry one of the very small Swiss Army knives. Generally though I just use my thumb but in cold weather the plastic is a little stiffer.
Use the end of your spoon handle to help open the bearcanister.
i use a plastic card to place between the latch on the bear can and simply rotate till the lid comes off
Hey Frozen, Marmalade here. As a person who’s completed the PCT and also lives in San Diego and is out on section A or B almost every week weather permitting I think I have a lot of experience in the desert portion of the trail. I would suggest maybe going to 1 1/2 liter bottles instead of 1 liters. Gives you more water carrying capacity and let bottles to deal with in your pack every day. You don’t have to fill them if you do t need too. Also gives you more room for other things in your side pockets. In terms of the bear can I’ve used them many many times. For me the easiest way is use the handle end/edge of your spoon which means you may have to carry somewhere outside your bear can. Maybe on a caribeaner. Anyways enjoying your videos and looking forward to your impressions of the pct compared to the AT. I think you will be pleasantly surprised as well as surprised that it’s not easy like everyone seems to think. Probably the most beautiful of the three though for sure! Good luck! Marmalade
As others have said, something slim and stiff (old gift card, credit card, driver's license, etc.) slid in between the lid and the catch makes it super easy to open. I usually use the nail file on my Victorinox Executive since that's always close at hand.
wedge a card in between the lid and the little blue notch it will twist right open. i recommend using a gift card or hotel key card instead of credit card or id because sometimes it can scratch ur card a little. but give it a try and you will see its so easy to twist open with a card wedged in-between the notch
For the bear canister I use a plastic card to slide in between the lid and notch as I twist open, Any smooth and hard surface item will work.
Ordered 3 meals and a dessert for my upcoming trip. Thank you for the discount. Looking forward to trying some new meals.
Using the Koozie for keeping your oatmeal warm is a good idea. I bring a few of those little black binder clips to keep the oatmeal packet closed. I use them to hang my wet clothes out to dry too.
my advice on the bear can.....just get a Bearikade. Easier to open, easier to pack (wider opening), lighter. I love mine so much I just hike with it all the time even when not required - not having to worry about finding a tree and getting a proper hang is so nice. You're spending how much money just doing this hike? What's another $300.
I'm good with the Bear Vault. I get what you are saying though and considered it but. It's only a couple ounces difference and will fit my v strap better.
Looking forward to following your journey, Frozen
First maybe?! I was just telling my friend how backpackers always just use smart water bottles and he was shocked lol
Exact same cook setup I use, minus the cozy. I have a HMG cozy my hubby got me for Christmas one year. And I keep my pot setup in a Lite AF cookpot bag.
Add my vote to using the plastic card to open the bear vault. I found that works the best even with cold hands. I use an old Amazon gift card that's been spent.
Hold the bear barrel on the ground between your feet, then twist off the top.
Bear vault, agree with end of spoon or lighter to press in.
Another tip- put a small sticker on the top of the lid where the tabs are. You will always place it in the right spot for opening without searching for the darn tabs. Whether you set can between your feet, or what I do is sit on ground with can between my legs.
Another tip- if it is going to freeze overnight, set your can upside down, less chance the lid freezes.
Nice video Frozen! That bear can is a pain to open - I splurged for the Berikade one. For the Washington section food requirements - you can still hang your food and be in compliance 👍
I cannot wait for your hike to begin! I really enjoyed your AT hike, but I enjoy watching PCT hikes more so your video style on the PCT is going to be great!
Me 2!
Loved hearing you on Trail Tales this week too!
Yes, always fun talking to Kyle
I used the BV475 on the SHT last fall just for the hell of it. Perfect size and worked great. Appreciate the good tips in this thread about how to open more easily!
Nice gear! Best of luck on the PCT Frozen! I live near the Big Bear section of the trail so lmk if you need a ride somewhere. Happy to help. You can't go wrong with Soto. I have the Windmaster and just put the arms around the stove and wrap the whole thing in a microfiber towel so it doesn't rattle and scratch my pot. The Amicus will work fine for ya. My tip for opening the bear vault is to carry an extra card with you (thick like a credit card but not one you use) and slide it in between the locking point when you go to turn the lid free.
I use the end of my Gerber Dime to push the indents in to get the lid off.
I used 2liter Evernew bags last year on a kayak trip. They are amazing and never any leaks. I made a zero weight duct tape handle to help pick it up.
Thanks for sharing your food and cook system for the PCT. For the bear can, only lock it at night when you go to bed, no need to lock it throughout the day. If you're worried about the lid unscrewing if carrying outside your pack, then just lock one of the two. On my PCT thru, I was similar to you for the water. I carried three 1-liter bottles plus a 20oz Gatorade bottle for mixing Gatorade in. Then I had a Platypus 1L and 2L soft bag, similar to the Evernew you have. I never used both of those at the same time, but found it easier to use the 1-L bag if that's all I needed. Oh, last I heard, there is a 40 mile water carry between Tehachapi and Kennedy Meadows South, unless there is water at Walker Pass. That would depend if you went to town at Walker Pass or not. I didn't.
When opening the cannister have the two tabs close but not touching before you press the side in. That is what catches on mine. Then once it is open make sure to fill it with Dottie's Chicken and Dumplings and some Texas state fair chili.
On the lid problem, try rubbing a little silicon or teflon grease with a q-tip around the top of the container and the threads. On trail you might have to re-lubricate (re-fresh) it with a touch of vegetable oil. Cheers!
Use an old plastic card to slide between the latch and the lid and it will slide right open. I made a little pocket with duct tape on the lid and keep the card there so it's always handy.
Someone posted about using the back of a lighter, found it works very well!
Put a paracord on entire the outside of the lid with a slip knot that will tighten put a tent stake thru the loop of the sinch and creat torsion to creat even tension around the whole lid at once and it should open easier. kinda week the tent stake counter clockwise aginst the lid to open Let me know if ya want a vid
With my Soto Windmaster, I use a small Micro-biner to clip the Triplex pot stand to the stove. Very light and I won’t lose it. The larger 4-plex pot stand is too big and heavy for a solo hiker.
I had two (almost) one liter Nalgene bottles and the rest of my capacity in collapsible "bottles". Total capacity was just over 5l. I started last day of April but had fairly cold/wet first month so probably not representative conditions in South California. Still, rarely needed to use any of the collapsible capacity and usually only for short stretches from last water source to a dry camp. I needed the full 5+ liters only once (on the rim walk) and to me 2 liters in bottles and the rest collapsible was a much better mix than four liters in bottles would have been.
Do you feel based on your experience that I can do away with 1 of the water bottles and just keep the 5L capacity?
Really hard to tell. Personally I'd switch at least one of the bottles to a collapsible one. I'd feel comfortable with 5L total, but everyone is different when it comes to water usage and I never had an extreme heat period as it was a couple of years ago. Maybe you know already, but I learned fairly quickly how much water I'd need for say every five miles in the fairly dry climate of the PCT. Then I'd adjust up a bit if it was really hot, but also felt it was fine to arrive thirsty at the next source if I knew it was reliable.
I'm not into planning too far ahead but on the PCT I tried to have an idea about water sources at least for the next day or so. That way I could see if a dry camp was inevitable or could by avoided by adjusting the milage up (or down). If it was unavoidable then I'd always cook dinner and drink a lot at the last source before the dry stretch.
I used your suggestion to soak my water filters in vinegar overnight and OMG! They’re like brand new again with the flow rate. Thank you so much! They were about to go in the trash because they were all so clogged with minerals.
Yea! It works pretty good
You'll enjoy that Soto stove. Boils really fast! It does get a little wonky if you over tighten it though.
Good to know!
Not me just realizing I can put a bladder on TOP of my pack 😣
If I don’t need my bear can while day hiking…and starting the 46 this year…..that will definitely work!
I love your channel - have learned SO MUCH. I’ve been so busy and I am SOOO far behind. Can’t WAIT to follow along!
I know a friend of a friend starting NOBO in April. Can’t wait to hear all about BOTH your hikes 😊
I use the cap off a pop bottle between the led and the lock. Figured already have a cap on the extra bottle why not.
I never take the pot supports from my Soto Windmaster, and I use the wide one. The stove fits into my pot for protection.
Wish you the best on you PCT endeavors.
On the bear can, put some anti-slip tape around the lid (and some glow-in-the-dark tape around the can) 🐻
Great video! I haven't used a bear canister yet. We are going to the Smokies and somewhere else around there in early May. Most likely I won't film very much of that trip like last year. It's more of an enjoyment hiking trip for us. The AT will still happen for us someday. 2028 was our projected year.
Ironically the middle size bear cannister is "just right". 😂 watching from Christchurch, New Zealand. Followed your AT hike so looking forward to the PCT! 😊
😂 Thanks for your continued interest!
Come on frozen, I've been here awhile...you are getting a kick back for that food.
The "Kickback" is free food, like he said. 🤙
Nope I'm not. It's just a discount code. I get kick backs on LiteAF, Zpacks, and amazon links if you wanna use them though. If you don't want to save the money on PackitGourmet don't use my code, I don't care.
Looking good. The 4 plex is a bit annoying but the pot sits a bit lower than the Amicus so theoretically better fuel efficiency. I should have picked up the Amicus for the convenience and size. The igniter fails on the Windmaster.
Most piezo igniters fail at high altitudes. So much that I just carry a Bic lighter or spark lighter and never use the Piezo, no matter what stove I’m using. At lower altitudes, I’ve never had issues.
How about a giant rubber band? Or glue some rubber patches to the lid sides. Even some inexpensive (and light) bands to wrap round your hands might be enough. It’s friction you need. 👌
Yes cleaning pots on the trail is a pain. What coffee do you carry with you?
Just crappy tasters choice stuff packets. I've been through the expensive brands but they always tasted burnt to me. I like a light to medium roast and very open to suggestions for coffee that's easy to get on the trail.
That's what's wrong with my life! I don't have a polished bowl spoon! Thanks Frozen!
It will change your entire life!
that food bag makes the one i used on the AT look tiny lmao its wild
I’d love it if you could show us how you use your smartwater bottles with the sawyer. If you connect the two, how does the air escape from the bottom bottle while the water flows from the top one?
You connect the sawyer to the bottle with the unfiltered water and squeeze into the empty water bottle. It's not directly connected to the empty bottle. If you're going to use this way, might want to mark the unfiltered bottle so you know that bottle is the one to always use for unfiltered water.
Polished bowl is the only way. Lick clean, wipe on shirt, good to go. That's a cool stove. I run a Soto Windmaster and recognized the burner till you flipped those supports up. I'm gonna check that one out. That being said I , luckily, still have the original 3 prong supports. The Soto burner itself is fantastic though. Pack it gormet nice, shout out to Shug, in the north, formally of the south, gorge adjacent. He's the first one I saw recommending their food. Whoo buddy.
Just a heads up, the Amicus stove doesn't have a regulator so you'll lose performance once the fuel gets low and it's cold. I've been looking at the Fire Maple Polaris. It's almost the same design and price as the Amicus but with a regulator.
You definitely need a lot of water in that desert. Glad you found a way to open that bear canister in the comments that would suck being all hungry after a long hard day and can’t get the thing open. You and Sintax77 are a lot alike would be cool to see you two get together sometime.
Cold soaking is the way to go
Maybe for some. But it's not really for me.
That's fair. The ultralight mentality doesn't come until the third trail
Ok if you say so.
Grease on threads will allow sand/dirt to stick in the threads…which can cause the threads to lock 😳
nice setup. its a BV it will be fine no one will know. the 475 is surely as strong as the others. the small one is way too small. Roxana and i can put 5 days worth (2people) in ours so you should be fine with the smaller one. YOU CAN DO IT. your thumbs will get it open it is not so bad and it loosens up a little after you use it some. i have used it in extreme cold often enough. kinda stupid ours the big one is actually the BV450/500 (what?) yeah. stamped on the bottom is BV450/500, makes no sense at all it is actually a 500. hopefully it will not be super cold when you hit the sierra. April is cold but it does warm up nicely in the daytime. big rain headed our way this weekend that will up the snow some but still overall we are a bit below average for the year, you'll be fine. big plus, tons of water there will be creeks everywhere you wont have to carry water far.
I've been looking forward to your comments man! I read on the FB groups and reddit that 10 feet of snow is expected this week in the Sierra. Worried about it but we'll see what actually happens. I'm probably going to arrive in (and have to go through) the Sierra in mid to late May. I don't have the option to wait until June 15th so still watching the snow reports and weather every few days.
@@FrozensAdventures even with ten more feet we would only be at about average depth which means most of it is melted off by May, you'll be fine. There will be some snow but nothing like last year's debacle
Shhhh. Don't tell anybody, but I slept with my food without any problems in SoCal, Oregon and Washington. I didn't do the Sierra (injury). In northern Washington you will want to hang to avoid mice.
You’re not cold soaking?!?
An old credit card works perfect.
Isn't that 5 liters of water capacity? You're one bottle is dirty. Unless you're assuming coming from civilization where all 6 liters are clean and bottles clean/new.
bear cans suck!!!