Let's not forget that ANYTHING that has a scent should go in the bear can as well!! Tooth paste, Deo, scented soaps or lotions etc. Bears will go after those as well.
Promoting a product without turning your video into an advertisement for a specific manufacturer. The wellbeing of the wildlife and your fellow hikers seems to be your motivation. Well done, Sir!
Thanks so much! It sounds like you are concerned about the safety of fellow hikers and wildlife as well. I really appreciate it when people like yourself are responsible and conscientious when enjoying the outdoors. Stay safe out there ☺️
@jbro151 I have two. The first is a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister. It’s my lightest and smallest and fits in my 48L pack. I can comfortably pack food for a 3 night trip. The second is a Garcia Backpackers Cache which is a little larger and heavier. It requires a little larger pack. I’ll bring that one on trips where I’m not covering as many miles and want to have a few extra treats.
I’m so glad to see this post. Bear canisters are definitely a nuisance to carry and maybe not totally foolproof, but I think they are the best alternative to help a bear avoid becoming a “nuisance” that is then hunted and killed as a result of inexperienced or careless campers and hikers with ultralight tunnel vision.
It’s also a good idea if you’re an iPhone user to toss an AirTag inside your bear can. If you forget exactly where you put it or if a bear moves it, it could be the difference between losing your food or not.
Good video. Pretty much agree with all you wrote. I've used the Ursack Almighty without any issues, but not in a heavy bear area or where canisters are required (for good reason). I think of the Ursack as a "critter" bag, because hike after hike, camp after camp, it's really squirrels, ravens, field mice, and chipmunks get into everything, even with you sitting there. Yes, eventually a big bear can chew through an Ursack, at least easier than in a canister. But in places like the Cascades, the desert, coastal areas, where bears are not common, they work great. 1. Keep your bear canister/bag clean. Don't get greasy, smelly hands or drizzle from something like a Honey Stinger wrapper on them. Critters (and bears) will smell this from a long way away. 2. Always use an odor bag, or a doubled up gallon freezer bag to put your old food wrappers in. 3. The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, as you're going to eat it before sunset. 4. In an area known for bear activity, even if the bears are known to be non-threatening, do not leave your camp abandoned more than 50 feet, even if your food is 200' away in a canister. Bears are curious, and if you are not around, they might just rip into your tent, tear open your $400 down sleeping bag, poke holes in your sleeping pad, etc. to see what's in there.
Thanks so much for the tips! A few practical measures can make all the difference. Odor proof bags have been a recurring suggestion and they make a lot of sense. Not leaving camp unguarded is important, too. Within seconds a bear can wipe out $1,000 worth of gear 😱
A bear found my friend's Ursac. No, the bear didn't get in it, but everything inside was crushed and mixed beyond usability. So, I suppose it served its primary purpose of not teaching the bear that its efforts would be successful, but it didn't preserve the contents. Luckily, it was the last day of the trip.
"The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, " But you will need to store your stove, utensils and food trash in it.
We tested the first bear canisters in Yosemite in 1979. I did my backpacking before they were available, but avoided heavily-used areas and rarely had bear problems.
All through Boundary Waters and up into Ontario canoeing....Never had a bear problem. Always sleep under a large tarp, never in a tent, and always keep my food and gear close to me under the tarp. Most people really should just stay home where they feel safe!
I grew up camping in Yosemite Valley with my parents and siblings. At that time they still had the dump where trash from dumpsters was unloaded. We used to call it the "bear pit" because people used to drive up and park their cars to watch the bears rummage through the garbage! This was long before they had bear boxes and it was common, believe it or not, to keep your food in the tent or car! Only once did a bear get into the tent of my aunt and uncle who were camping at the site next to ours. My uncle threw a box at the bear and it ran off. I can't believe it used to be like that in Yosemite!
Such a well thought video Jeff. I've come to a lot of the same conclusions. Even whatever space they take up besides being offset by the fact that they can be used for storage is that the only space lost is the actual thickness of the can itself, not the cubic air space in them, so really, it isn't that much space that's lost. Another plus is that they're great of packing sensitive items that might be prone to being crushed and work as a hard case and for keeping hygiene products like toothpaste that attract wildlife.
Thanks, I really appreciate it! Great tips! I totally agree. At first, the canister was the big unwieldy object I had to wrestle with. Now, i don’t give it a second thought. Everything just fits 😎
Remember also that as you consume the contents from your canister you can utilise the empty space to pack any waste (packaging, leftover bits of food, even soiled paper towel or such if used during clean up etc) into the bottom, just keep a strong sealable poly bag to prevent any contamination or smell from the waste in your canister. Not only keeps your site clean during & after your stay but less possibility of smells attracting wildlife.
Thanks for the tips! That’s an important reminder that i wish I mentioned in the video. Anything other than food that goes in the canister needs to be protected from the food odors. 👍
I use a bear canister, plus you can get different sizes for different trips. I do hang my cooking utensils, pharmaceuticals, sun block ect. I love the reflective tape suggestion.
Some black bears in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park have figured out how to open some bear canisters, and it is thought that they are teaching one another. No kidding. The park now requires _all_ food and smellies to be hung, even if it is in a cannister. Per the official website: "Bear canisters are not required nor recommended in the backcountry. If you choose to carry a bear canister, it must be placed in your pack and hung in the cable system to comply with the park requirement." My cannister specifically states to _not_ hang it, as it may not take the shock of a drop. They say it's designed to be clawed and bitten, but not dropped. What to do, what to do.
Good to know! I’m constantly amazed by bears. There’s a famous bear in the Adirondacks that figured out how to open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister and Backpackers Cache. Been good so far, but who knows? Regarding Great Smoky Mountain, thankfully they set up cables for a secure hang. It’s difficult to get it right when utilizing trees. Thanks for sharing the info 😄
As a Californian, we have to live with the reality of bear canisters. I'm glad that Desolation Wilderness in Tahoe finally went with the requirement last year. Those pine trees have thin branches that point downwards and you're not going to get a proper hang. Ursaks need to be defended; otherwise bears there had learned to just keep picking at the same spot in the bag. They eventually tear open and food gotten into.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Unfortunately, I hear more and more about Ursaks getting torn open. I’ve also read about a bear in New York State that has learned how to open Bear Vaults.
@@jfowler I eventually went w/ a Bearikade Blazer. It was one of my last big upgrades... slightly more volume than a BV500 and ~$35/ounce for the difference. I usually stick it a bush overnight. So when you hear metallic tapping at night, you know that a bear is checking it out =)
@@jfowler , Yeah, it's a female bear and she's been teaching the other bears how to do it. I have to respect that bear. After a long day on a winter's hike, I sometimes struggle to open the lid with my freezing fingers on the Bear Vault. So that bear is smarter than I am. The other thing that some bears have learned to do is to roll the canister off a cliff to break it open. So you're really have to do a good job of anchoring or wedging it into something, like the crotch of a tree or a rock pile.
@@jfowler they can't open a bear vault while I'm running at them like crazy person with a stick. chasem like youre gonna eatem. They bluff charge as well.
I use a Bearikade which reduces the weight quite a bit. They are expensive but worth it if you're an ounce counter. They also have rental canisters which I did try first before purchasing. It was very easy. Happy hiking.
Thanks for your comments. We rented a couple of those, too. I love how light they are but I wish they would design one with a narrower diameter. That would make them compatible with a lot more packs.
Most people have trouble getting that rock bag over a high branch. I carry a hiking stick that is 45 inches long which I use as a catapult (also called Staff Sling), gives me more power and directional control to toss that rock bag right where I want it. I tie a loop on bear line that just fits over my hiking stick/catapult, 8 inches down the line is rock bag, then rest of line. Swing the catapult and stop the swing just before stick is straight up, rock bag flings off and makes it over high branch. May take a couple times to learn how to do it but once learned it is far easier.
Nice! Thanks for the tip. That’s the challenging part, getting the line where you want it. Especially when bridging your hang between two trees. Thanks for sharing!
Good idea about the reflective tape, I like that one. Bears are taught by their mothers people mean food, meaning we have food almost always. Once a bear is "trained" like this it is not likely going to stop the hunt for easy food. Bears that you can scare away from just your voice are most likely not used to humans, like the one you encountered returned multiple times is highly likely could attack if hungry enough. I spent years as a guide trying to keep people calm in bear country because there is some predictable habits but once they eat human food it is much more unpredictable. Be safe out there.
I’m glad you found it helpful! Welcome to the trail! I mostly backpack in the Southeast United States which has a growing population of black bears. So, bear canisters are a necessity for me. I’m sure there are other areas of the country where there is less risk of bear encounters. Personally, I like the peace of mind of having one along. 😄
I live a few hours from the AT in New England and the bears have learned how to take down hanging bear bags and slash through Ursaks. There are plenty of bear boxes, but they are sometimes full. And I had an habitual through-hiker named "Jazzman" steal food from my canister where it was stashed in a bear box in Massachusetts...after he took a 30-minute dump in the privy at midnight. He is one of the infamous, chronically-homeless backpackers constantly hiking trails and stealing from other hikers. He even stole one of my dirty Darn Tough socks before he bolted from that shelter early that morning. Not both socks. Just one. And yeah, he was a privy door slammer. Now I won't use a bear box if other hikers are at the site. I have heard of food theft from other hikers.
Camping in the boundary waters of Minnesota, I've always hung a kevlar bear bag, suspended between 2 trees. I'd say anything is better than nothing, but a bear canister would be a good idea as well, as it can float if it ever falls into a body of water; whereas a bear bag probably won't.
It sounds to me that you hang your bag the right way. That takes some skill! The bear canisters that I have are not watertight, so water will get in if submerged. However, I think it would float if there are some sealed backpacking meals or Ziploc bags inside. Thanks for the feedback! 😎
I have the Garcia bear canister. It will only fit vertically in my pack. As well, it takes up too much room inside of the pack. I will not strap the can on the outside. I do not like to strap items to the outside of the pack. Instead, I use the Nanuk 905 container. Similar in size to the Garcia but fits horizontally in my pack. I can store about 5 days worth of meals in the Nanuk. The Nanuk was Polar Bear Tested. But, not officially found on an approved US bear canister list. I trust the Nanuk will survive a bear encounter. As well, I use Nanuk products to protect other valuables. Thanks for the valuable information and shared experience. Be well. Be safe. Happy Trails!
I’m with you! The Garcia is pretty big so my go-to can is the UDAP No-Fed-Bear. It’s the perfect size for my typical 3 night trips and fits easily in any orientation inside my 48L pack. Thanks for mentioning the Nanuk. I’ll have to check that out 👍
The canister is definitely simpler and quicker. Less prone to user error too; many bear bags aren't hung "properly" so the bear can't reach (like the friend in the video)
Thank you. Straight forward and to the point. I am hoping that some brainiac comes up with a canister solution that is lighter and collapses when food/trash/smellables volume decreases.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a more packable and lighter solution would be great. It would definitely take some brains! Bears are so crazy powerful and determined.
My uncle and cousin and my dad and I were on the first day of a multiday canoe trip in the boundary waters in 1976. We hung our food in a bag. Right after my cousin and I had gotten in the tent a black bear came into camp. Nothing we did scared the bear, banging pans, shouting, etc. The bear started climbing trees until it found the one with the bag. It climbed above the branch and tried to break off the limb with its foot. When that failed it started to come back down. At that time, we decided that maybe we should retreat to the lake in our canoes. We stayed out in the lake for about 45 minutes until we heard the next campsite down the lake barking and making noise. When we got back into camp, we found that the bear had chewed the branch in half and ate all of our food. Lucky for us it was the first night of the trip, so we just paddled out in the morning, and we did not have to go hungry of several days. It did cut the trip short by 3 days. I can also answer the question do bears shit in the woods. The answer is no, they shit in the middle of your campsite.
Wow, that’s quite an experience! Amazing how bold, determined and smart that bear was. So, sorry to hear that trip was cut short. Glad everyone stayed safe and have a story to tell, though 😄
Great PSA, I'm sure this will help quite a few new backpackers. Especially in a world where most videos are focused on the gram counting you mentioned. I know we always follow the triangle rule as well. Where you make a triangle between your campsite (upwind), your bathroom area, and your bear box/cooking area. Really helps reducing the risk of them coming through your camp to knock around a canister they can't get into.
Thank so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s an excellent rule to follow. I am going to have to commit that to memory and apply it on the next trip. Stay safe! 😊
Black bear intelligence and retrieving food hangs is the main reason many NFS areas require a canister now. The Bear Vault is much better than Garcia Machine rented by the park service. I met some folks on trail in the Sierras and a guy told me how a black bear approached during lunch break and grabbed a pack. I've had to camp across three states in grizzly country with food hanging and it makes for light sleeping even with bear spray. So many people in certain areas today, I carry bear spray even in black bear areas because they are too accustomed to hikers.
I know, they are so smart! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Sharing the outdoors with these amazing animals is unavoidable making it so important to be educated and prepared.
In my many years in the back country, mostly in canoe areas we tried to cook a hot meal late in the afternoon long way from our intended camp spot. I have never had to use a bear canister but They seems to be much better solution that hanging your food. Smart bears soon learn to shake the rope tied to the trunk of the tree. Over the years I have found Ravins and racons a bigger problem and a lot smarter than bears. My worst problem are bears that come into camp and acted like the family dog and just hung around. When that happens, that tells me people have been hand feeding the bears and it is time to get the Hell out of the area.
I have had mama bears send babies up the tree to bite the rope. Hanging never works against determined bears. Treeline environments in the Sierras also lack large trees, and bears will go there to get camper food.
My tip is that not all bear canisters are created equal. The clear blue BearVault cans have been banned in the ADK region because they have been defeated by some bears there. You need to use the more resistant Garcia Backpackers Cache.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve seen a picture of one of those torn open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a Udap No-Fed-Bear and a Backpacker’s Cache. For my three day trips the Udap is the best size. Stay safe!
I took one of those Bearvault blue cans to Alaska, Wrangell St Elias, a few years ago and it got crushed and ripped open at the lid. We didn't see or hear anything. It was my first time using one and we were on the tundra for the first part of the trip so that was kind of our only option anyway. We had to satellite call for a food drop as we were in the middle of a 21 day hike.
Something else to remember when using a bear canister is to put everything in an odor-proof bag, such as an Opsak (regular ziploc bags don't count as they're not odor-proof). All food, used cooking items, and scented items should go in the bag, which goes inside the bear canister. This helps keeps bears from being attracted to your camp. If they can't smell it, they're less likely to be interested.
I constant carry food on me and eat snacks in my tent at night like nuts and meat Chomps. Do you guys just not eat snacks at night? Do you burn the wrappers?
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the video. I know the day is coming when the ATC demands that food is stored in a bear canister. This will make me sad for sure as they are indeed heavy. For overnight and some 3 day 2 night hikes I can get away with using the 425 BV which I believe is the smallest size they offer. Maybe the time to start getting used to these is now. They are also much easier to stash for the night a bear bag in a tree can take some time especially when you are tired. Thanks for sharing the video and stay safe!
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You might be right. As the bear population increases and they become more comfortable around people, it seems there is more potential for dangerous encounters. Stay safe out there! 😊
I started using a bear canister this year and while the weight and volume is a bit of a pain, as I try to go as light as possible, I have gotten tired of trying to do a good hang for the reasons you point out. One other thing I do is to put the food in an odour free bag and then find a low point in the landscape away from camp and so far no problem.
From what I have read it depends on which canister you use. A while back I was reading that in some parks the bears have actually opened up canisters. Not sure which brand of canister but one of them. Probably a better bet to check with the park your interested in and see if they have banned certain canisters. The other problem could be the use of designated campsites , the Bears know the food will be there or in that area when people are around.
Thanks for mentioning it! I think you’re right. There are published lists of which bear canisters are approved. Definitely a good idea to be familiar with which ones are allowed.
That would be the BearVault canister that a few bears have managed to open. If I remember correctly, the BearVault canisters are no longer allowed in the Adirondacks. Definitely check the list of approved bear canisters before you go someplace.
Don't tempt fate. Keep your contact down with bears. Don't leave a canister vulnerable if you can. Take all precaution. There's plenty of other wild life.
I've always used Ursacs for hiking in Michigan and the AT. The only animal that got into it was a red squirrel. I suspect bears just never happened upon the bag in all these trips. This video definitely makes me consider buying a bear cannister for future trips. Thanks.
Absolutely! I don’t have any personal experience to share regarding Ursak, but I have heard about bears getting in them. Might be worth considering the alternatives.
Lots of pics of damaged ursacks online. When they don’t get into them the bear will smash and destroy the contents making them unusable… plastic packaging and food contents turned into its own special granola. Bear doesn’t get the treat, but neither do you so your trip can be ended. I’m in Colorado and see people posting about it every summer, especially on the CT. I’ll use one where bears aren’t expected but are possible but usually I carry a bearikade.
I appreciate your views & reasons for bear canister use. As you said their a useful deterrent for all animals looking for a snack. Once you get use to them it just becomes part of your kit & routine. Thanks for sharing! Especially your bear experiences. Makes me feel all the better about canister use.
Thanks so much! That’s what I’ve found, too. I don’t give it a second thought when packing. The canister always fits and I think the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Stay safe!
Nice video. I've used a bear vault the past few years with success. As a fish/game officer I've been in many camps where the bear got the goodies from the bag that was hung in the tree.
GREAT video! After 15 yrs of backpacking experience in the back country, I have come to all the same conclusions you present here. Interesting how little help retailers like REI and mfr’s of backpacks offer on the subject. I use a BV500 now when bear protection is called for, I think the real benefit is the protection from small critters, who are MUCH more likely to eat and run at your expense!! Thanks for the video, I was happy to hit the subscribe button!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. The smaller critters can definitely be problem. Especially in frequently used campsites where they come to expect and rely on campers as their primary food source.
These have been standard in the Sierras for many years. It has resulted in bears no longer raiding backpackers. Car campsites have metal boxes. Its a massive improvement. The only episode I have heard about bears defeating the cannister was one bear living near North Dome in Yosemite. He would bat the cannisters off short cliffs causing it to break. I make a point of putting the cannister in rocks or logs where it is wedged and is very difficult to roll around. For long trips, they can be difficult to fit everything in. For such trips, I cut the foil food packages away and pack the contents in good zip bags. I clip off the food title and instructions to rehydrate. I will cook the contents in my stove water container for 2 minutes after adding it to the boiling water before covering and waiting. Food hydrates better with this routine, but you have clean up rather than a throw away bag. Oh well.
Regular in the BWCA. We always double bag our food in airtight bags packed into our bear bag. We hang every time and have never had a problem in 20+ years. We also avoid the heavily used routes which probably helps.
Jeff, thanks for the informative video. As a solo female hiker, your bear hang experiences give me a different perspective on food storage in the backcountry. I used to think that as long as I hung my food, the bears wouldn't get it. I think that is generally the case where I've hiked in Central Canada, Mexico and Belize. However, I'm hiking in Montana this summer and will consider picking a bear canister up after watching this video. Also subscribing to your channel. ✅️
Thanks so much! Of course, where you hike is a big factor to consider. Bears are simply not a problem in some parts of the world. However, here in the Southeast United States, a bear encounter is always a possibility. Honestly, the only reason I got a bear canister at first was because it was a requirement for the area where I was backpacking. Then I was hooked by the convenience and reliability of using one. Thanks for sharing your comments. Stay safe out there! 😄🥾
I didn't know there was such a thing as a bear canister. I'm definitely going to get a couple as I sometimes go bicycle touring through bear country. Thanks for your great info.
Excellent post. IMHO the bulk of a bear can is the only real drawback. Your advice about using the can to pack other items as one's food supply dwindles through the trip is brilliant and becomes a feature instead of a drawback. Would like to add a thought - once you pack non-food items in your can never re-pack these items outside of the can. These items will become saturated with food scent. Additionally pack your food trash in a scent-free bag before packing in the can so you don't possibly contaminate fresh food. The can starts out as a bulky drag but becomes more useful as the days pass. Thanks again for this great post!
Great points! It’s definitely important to be hyper-aware of items that carry a scent and to handle them carefully. It’s so easy to forget and contaminate all of your gear. Thanks so much for sharing! 😄
I have come to the same conclusion that you have; always use a bear can. Your video does a great job of explaining why. Also, spot on with the pro's and con's.
I never used a bear canister on my AT thru-hike, despite seeing bears constantly in and around camp. Where there is a mature tree canopy (most of the east coast), you should be able to get a good hang if you learn the ropes. However, Western states with low trees are good areas for using a canister. We needed one for Denali in Alaska. Grizzlies everywhere and few trees tall enough.
I started with a BearVault. Hated it, so hung my food for years and even used an Ursack. Never had any problems, but a lot of terrible hangs. Seems like all branches are too low or too high where I camp. Picked up 2 different sized ones for the Adirondacks High peaks. Ironically, while finishing the 46, I only camped out in the backcountry once where I needed it. For short single night trips since then and canoe camping, I am always bringing it. I often use it car camping too. Still hate the weight and space. Surprised that no one has figured out how to make one just as strong, but at half the weight.
I’ve carried a bear canister for decades in wilderness, and the biggest pain is fitting it in my pack. I’m just about to head off on a motocamping trip and just got an Ursack, the big one, and some odor-proof bags. Because I won’t be in wilderness areas, I think it will be allowed everywhere. I haven’t hung a bag from a tree in decades, not looking forward to that part, but definitely looking forward to not caring a big can on a motorcycle.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I had some terrible hangs, too. No problems but the bear population has increased considerably since then. The convenience of the canister is probably the biggest plus for me. In recent years we’ve had more visits from small critters including raccoons and mice. I like how the canister works well against them, too. Yeah, there has to be a way to make them less heavy. Wild Ideas Bearikade is probably the lightest option but I don’t like the bulky shape and sharp corners. For now I'll stick with my trusty UDAP No-Fed-Bear. It’s the perfect size for my lightweight packs and holds plenty for a long weekend. Stay safe out there!
Thanks for the tips. I can't believe I never thought of putting reflective tape on my Bear Vault. Here are my two tips: 1) Use light, weak stretch cordage or thread to tie a bear bell around the canister to alert you to the presence of a bear messing with it. It must be weak enough to break, lest a bear use it as a carry handle. 2) I recommend the Seek Outside Divide 79L backpack. It fits the largest Bear Vault inside, horizontally, yet it is ultralight. It also has many other features. The strap buckles are clever and handy. It is only slightly heavier than my Z-Packs Arc Haul, but it is more comfortable and it is rated to carry up to 200 lbs.! It carries 45 lbs. better than the Arc Haul carries 35 lbs. It is awesome for winter hikes because of its volume, too. The construction is so rugged that I suspect it could manage the Triple Crown and still have miles of hiking left in it.
Thanks so much for the tips! I will have to check out that pack. I have been considering the Arc Haul 60L, but it sounds like it is too compact for most bear canisters.
@@jfowler I would not buy the Arc haul again. It squeaks. It squeaks and it squeaks and it squeaks. The V-strap Z-Packs offers that's supposed to be able to mount a canister to the top of the pack? It won't work because the straps are so narrow and frail that they slip loose at the same time that the contents in your backpack settle. So the canister keeps falling off to the side. If you put the canister inside the pack it has to go vertically, which doesn't feel right against your back. And it puts a lot of strain on the seams. The most-frustrating thing about the Arc Haul is that those carbon rods that are supposed to make the arc for venting your back we're not designed properly. They're secured at the top, the bottom and the middle, and when you have the pack loaded to its maximum carry, instead of arcing the rods collapse into an S-shape and the pack sits flat against your back. The arcing rods are supposed to be the big, innovative advantage. How could Z-Packs screw it up and leave it screwed up for years for that kind of money? It's telling that most of the major-name UA-cam personalities for backpacking that once highly recommend it no longer use the Arc Haul. I heard Dan Becker say it's his favorite pack, but he is the only one I've seen and give it acclaim in years. If Z-Packs had the carbon rods anchored at the top, the bottom and at two or three places in between, that collapse wouldn't happen. Z-Packs has known about the problem for years. I don't know if it's fixed it on the newer ones. I haven't heard anything about it being fixed. The last problem is that the load lifters need adjustment every ten or so miles because the straps are too narrow and thus slip for lack of sufficient friction. Those are a lot of flaws for the $425 I spent on the thing. There's a guy with a UA-cam channel that I think is called ShastaBubba. He lives out West in the mountain states. He did a really good review on the Divide pack. That's why I bought it. The only flaw I found is that the frame height velcro adjusting strap has sharp corners at the end of that strap that curl up and rub against my back if I'm only wearing a thin shirt. It's not a major thing, and it's something I could fix by cutting and rounding the corners and then restitching the end of the strap. I sent Seek Outside an email to advise them on it. Maybe most people wouldn't even notice it. Another easy fix would be to throw some duct tape over the ends of the strap. Considering how many faults I've found in the various backpacks I've owned, that was the most minor annoyance of any of them. I doubt I will ever buy another pack. Or need to. Happy trails.
Thanks so much for the review! Good stuff to know when considering a pretty expensive pack like the Arc Haul. I will take a serious look at the Divide pack. Thanks again 👍
I use a bear canister and have tried a couple styles and settled on the one with the tabs on the lid you push in to allow the lid to twist off. It makes a good seat at camp and my dog loves to go find it since he knows it contains all the food and is of course not scent proof. First thing he does in the morning is go check that some bear hasn’t made off with all our food.
Moderns backpackers may try to cook outside in cold wind or risk their lives cooking inside without a chimney using their so called 4 season equipment. Usually they are at home waiting for good weather. All over the world there are people who follow their animals living in portable shelters, not one of them cooks outside in the wind. It is impossible for anyone to survive a winter cooking every day out side with so called 4 season equipment. Using a chimney makes camping in any weather a comfortable pleasure. A tarp pitch can be the best 4 season shelter. It has to go tight to the ground on all sides and have a wood stove inside if it is going to be any good in a winter blizzard. Stove and chimney 24 ounces, shelter near 2.5 lbs. The whole outfit cannot weigh more than 5 lbs. if backpackers are going to use it. A 10’x10’ tarp only needs to be pegged on the 4 corners with as many pegs as it takes to be secure in any wind. No grommets are needed. It has cramped space for 3 cooking, lots of space 4 sleeping. The chimney can serve as one of the 40” long corner poles. Sticks that have a small nail driven in both ends (head pinched off). One end stays put on the ground, the other end through a reinforced point exactly in the corner 40” from the edges of the tarp. All sides can be raised forming an umbrella to cool off because of heat from the tiny cookstove or summer sun. This is what 4 season equipment is all about.
Curious, how can a two-tree hang be vulnerable to bears/other animals? When you suspend between two trees, it’s much easier to achieve good height and spacing, compared to a one-tree hang.
Thanks for your feedback. I prefer that method, too. Hanging a bag from a single limb seems much more vulnerable. I’m not saying that hanging a bear bag doesn’t work. However, it has to be done right and my observation is that most people don’t know how or don’t care. Personally, I would rather take 2 minutes walking my canister away from camp than 30 minutes or more engineering a hang done right. Not that this is typical, but one of my buddies spent over an hour working on hanging his bag. At the end of a long day on the trail, I just don’t have the patience 😄
Add a personal alarm with the canister. They pull on the cord and the alarm goes off. Some have a flashing light to allow you to locate the canister as it is rolled down the hill by the bear.
Too many ppl fail at a proper bear hang which then trains the bears with success. Many promote the pct method, which requires such a specific branch (few of which are truly available) , the bears then learn the one branch which contains food. I recommend ppl read Cliff Jacobson's articles about bears and food. He is an expert guide in the boundary waters canoe area.
I like the yellow canisters better so they don't get so hot in the sun. Electric fences work well too. I will often put one around my tent in dense Brown Bear country and another around my food or meat cache if I am hunting.
Thanks for sharing. I’ve lived in Texas all my life, never really thought of bears. Not until my parents bought land in the mountains of Colorado. We go up there to camp every yr. Thats when I had to think of bears. I didn’t know anything. This is helpful.
I still have one of the original Garcia cannisters, like the one shown being sat on, but the only ones I still use are my two Bearikades. At Miller Flat on the Lost Coast I've see bears ignore camps with cannister visible, and head for camps where cannisters are not visible.
Those Bearikades would make a pretty comfortable seat! More so than the Garcia because they are so wide. I rented a couple of those on my first thru-hike of the Art Loeb Trail. I loved the light weight but wasn’t a fan of the bulky size and sharp edges. Thanks for sharing your observations about bears avoiding bear canister equipped sites. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was intentional behavior-bears are so smart 😄
Another point that others may have mentioned, is that the cannister negates the need to bring ropes and pulleys to hang a bag, and hence, offsets the weight a bit more.
I love the convenience of a bear canister, not so much the inconvenience of packing one. But it is always worth it, I guess, as I carry one even when hanging food is allowed and trees are plentiful - even if I’m going to a spot in Olympic National Park that provides bear wire to make hanging easy. And yes, you can be creative with space. Coffee/tea stored in my mug inside the bear can. Fuel cans, and when space is there, my insulated food jar.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I feel the same way. I love that I don’t have to engineer a bear hang at the end of a long day of hiking, but the limited space and extra weight can be a challenge. Olympic National Park looks like an amazing place to visit. I will have to get out there some time! ☺️
Another negative of a bear canister is there volume. On a multi day trip they hold very little. I live and hike in grizzly country of British Columbia and will continue to hang my food in an ursa bag
Good point. Yeah, that can be a problem on longer trips. Personally, my trips last 3 to 4 days and my two canister sizes do fine. 5+ days would get tight and I would have to ration my food.
My first use of a canister had me almost in tears trying to open it when I arrived at my 10,200' campsite, tired and hungry I was unable to even budge the twist on lid of the Bear Vault because I had packed it at my homes 600' elevation. After driving up to 10,000 and hiking the rest all the contents had expanded tight right up against the little ribs on the inside of the screw on top. Won't do that again, hopefully.
Interesting! I would have never thought of the expanding contents issue. Thanks for sharing your experience. I don’t use Bear Vault style canisters and I wonder if I would have the same problem with a coin lock style model. When the locks are released the lid pops outward rather than twisting off.
I've had many encounters with bears all fairly friendly and I don't have to leave home to have them. I've hiked thousands of trails and never had a bear in my campsite, maybe they don't like the dogs. I can confirm that bears are acrobats and move much faster and quieter than most can imagine. I've always just hollered at them and they've run off. I have however had a harrowing experience with deer mice, thousands of them. It was at an open faced shelter in the Great Gulf, gone now for many years. This was due to the large groups of hikers wanting to climb the vertical walls of the gulf but without heavy packs. They would come in the nearly flat approach from the auto road and camp intending to summit the following day. I came in down a ladderway called the Six Husbands Trail and stayed the night then climbed the headwall to Mt. Washington the next day with a 50 pound pack. Everyone said I was crazy to do that and in retrospect they were right. Anyhow, the mice attacked after dark and chewed their way into most everyone's pack and ate whatever food they could find. I woke up multiple times with mice on my sleeping bag and they chewed a hole into my pack as well. The forest service burned the shelter a short time after that.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I have had the same observations about the agility and speed of bears. However, similar to your comments, I would have to say that my encounters have never felt threatening. The bears just wanted our food. However, they did come into camp. Maybe your theory about the dogs is correct because we didn't have one with us. Your mouse story is alarming! On my last trip I had just one chew a hole in my tent while I was in it. I can't imagine dealing with the numbers you’re talking about! That sounds like a plague of mice. The prevalence of smaller critters is probably one of the biggest reasons I carry a canister now. Especially when visiting popular campsites along high traffic trails.
I would concern over getting food smell on it considering most would think to sit on it while cooking. I would keep the canister (and/or bear bag AND my motorcycle!) away and upwind from the kitchen. Just a thought.
I used to spend up to 30 minutes looking well away from camp for the perfect branch on which to hang my food. Never lost any food over a couple decades; however, I stopped that practice when I read about bears (somewhere here in CA) who were starting to chew enough wood off a branch, damaging teeth and gums in the process, so they could break the weakened branch and knock the bag to the ground. I was less concerned with the thought of losing food days from the trailhead than I was with following a practice that could cause damage to a bear. Tried an Ursack for a while but couldn't use it everywhere, so was forced to use a much heavier canister at times. I enjoyed the convenience and effectiveness of the canister so much that it became my only option for food protection.
Important point you make there. Fact is, there's nothing about humans that don't attract bears that are hip to humans. Anything about us spells "potential food there". The only thing I might try is a stronger scent of natural things in the same area, for instance a little pine in a pine forest may help mask/throw-off a scent track, BUT I bet using pinesol, which is strong and they don't like, would simply indicate to them to "check it out".
One more reminder about bears that you may not have thought about. While you are out camping and hiking, don’t leave ANY food in your car back at the trail head. I’ve come across cars with the windows smashed, door ripped out of the door frame, and the rear seat cushions ripped out and laying out on the ground by a bear. He obviously found the freeze-dried food packages that the through hikers on the AT stashed in their trunk. That car was totalled. I can’t imagine how much of a downer that would be, coming off the trail and expecting to stock up for the next week only to find that carnage.
I am just getting back into backpacking this year and the PNW is definitely bear country. This video reaffirms my decision to go with a bear canister and I get size my bag appropriately.
I have two: Udap NO-FED-Bear Bear Resistant Canister amzn.to/3snTYAe Backpacker's Cache - Bear Proof Container amzn.to/45HL0vN I use the Udap NO-FED-Bear canister on most trips because I like the smaller size. It fits horizontally inside my 48L Osprey Exos pack. It’s big enough for me to hold 3 to 4 days of food but I usually don't bring freeze dried meals. Those are a little more bulky and would fit better in the Backpacker's Cache canister.
Definitely concur. Nearly all of my backpacking is in bear country so canisters are an automatic for any trip. The weight is the biggest dislike - I can make due with the size.
Based on your username it sounds like you might be in the southeast, too. Yeah, I agree. It’s the weight, but that’s a small sacrifice compared to the safety and convenience. Stay safe out there 😄
Why not use the pulley system to hang your food bag? You don't need much more than a pulley and two pieces of paracord; don't need a long branch (even a broken branch will do); much lighter and easier to pack than a canister; pulley makes it easy to lift up (no friction). I think the canister is a good option but not sure if its the best. Mostly because of weight and needing to try to fit things inside of it.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like a great method! I also like the method that is almost as good as hanging between two trees where the bag gets hung from a diagonal line anchored to one tree. A carabiner is used as the hoist point and slides up the line as it is pulled up. 😎
I would think swapping gear back and forth out of a bear cannister would be a bad idea...any residual food smell gets on your gear and you've defeated the whole purpose. Gear I might add is likely to be in your tent. Even if the odor is miniscule, a bear will pick up on it.
Thanks for the observation! That’s a good point. If putting gear in the canister, it should stay in the canister for the remainder of the trip. Some others have mentioned packing all food items in odor-proof bags before placing in the canister. Using these to separate food from other items might reduce any scents that could be transferred. As you say, the safest strategy is to only pack food and food trash in the canister and keep all other items separate. 👍
Put an airtag in your bear can. Easier to find if it’s moved. Or even if it’s still where you left it and forgot! Putting clothing in your bear can might make you smell like treats later in the trip. Choose items to fill empty can space wisely.
Great tips! Another commenter recommended using a Tile tracker, too. Yep, I have had trouble finding my canister exactly where I placed it. Funny how things can look totally different at night compared to during the day! Also, very good reminder about items that come in contact with food smells. 👍
I usually backpack in areas of the California Sierras where there are black bears, but not high numbers. I prefer to use a counter balance method. I think it works really well if you have the right tree. The branch is too light for the bear to go out on, but flexible enough to hold his weight near the tree. 10-12 feet high, but 10 feet from the trunk if possible. I found bear cans too heavy and on a long trip one isn’t even enough for one person.
I tried hanging once, and raccoons cut the paracord I had used. Bear cannister after that. I had some webbing sewn up with a couple of buckles to attach the can to the bottom of my pack. Works extremely well. I carry an ursac on longer trips if the 1 can isnt big enough.
Ugh. The small critters can really make life miserable. I had an issue with a mouse recently. It sounds like you found a workable solution for mounting the can to your pack. That can be a challenge with some of the smaller volume ultralight packs. Thanks for sharing your experience! 😄
Thanks for your question! They actually don’t come out. You give them a 1/4 turn to open the canister and they stay attached to the lid. I keep a 3/8" flat washer attached to my pack which is the perfect size to turn the screws.
I’m a bit of a newbie when it comes to bear canisters. Any reason why they are always “canisters”? It seems to me that a rectangular shape might be a better fit to insert into - or attach onto - a pack. Just curious.
Good question! I don’t know. I would guess that it has something to do with how a cylindrical object distributes a load. Maybe a rectangular object would be more likely to cave in 🤷🏼♂️
It's for strength. They need to withstand a bear stomping on them to "pop" the container, also a round shape eliminates places to grab/bite so they don't carry it off or rip it open.
I’ve backpacked in Yosemite many times and have had to use a canister. Never had a problem with a bear or seen one. Other than the weight I enjoy the food security and convenience.
Thanks for your comment! I would absolutely love to backpack in Yosemite. My wife and I visited once and we both agree it was even more breathtaking than The Grand Canyon 😃
Some days you get a line up over the branch on the first throw and some days it goes a bit worse. The craziest thing I ever saw was a guy who set up his tent directly under his hanging bear bag (like his tent was a ramp) and wouldn't do anything about it after he was warned about how bad an idea it was. I've given some thought to bear cannisters over the years, but I don't think I'd put non-food items in one while hiking because then those things would start smelling like food if those items are in your tent afterwards.
Funny story! Thanks for sharing! That’s a good reminder. Anything that comes in contact with food during a trip in bear country should not be kept in the tent. 👍
Bear canisters are great for a few days. But if you are going to be out a week or more, then it's pretty much impossible to fit all your food in there; assuming you don't just fill the canister with peanut butter. The new kevlar bags look promising, I've never used one before though.
Good points! Yeah, trips that long might require multiple canisters which could get pretty heavy and bulky. Alternatively, there is a Wild Ideas Bearikade model that they say is good for up to 12 days of food. I’ve been hearing about the advances in bear resistant bags but I don’t have experience with them either.
I always carry a bear canister. I do not want to see the bears gone from the sierras. The canisters are bulky and heavy but it is worth it to save the bears and other animals in the wild. I place all of my trash and other items in the canisters as I eat the food inside. I always carry the canister inside my pack because it gets very hot in the sun cooking your food.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m always glad to hear from someone that cares about the welfare of bears. They are amazing creatures and it’s tragic when they lose their lives because of careless hikers and campers. 😢
Great video, i watched one video on youtube over a year ago, wish i could think of the name of it, but a bear took a bear canister and run off. Bear got away with all the camper/canoe food. they had to go home. Myself i never hang food from a tree, find it a pain in the butt, 45 minutes later still looking for a good tree, or failed tosses, i normally just ziplock the hell out of the small amount of food i do take here in Ontario Canada and place it away from camp, dig a hole cover with a huge rock, i've never had my food taken. low bear area.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing that story. Another commenter mentioned inserting a Tile Tracker inside the canister when stashing it. The tracker has at least a 250 ft range, some even 400 ft. Might be enough to locate it if a bear manages to drag it off. I have had the same experience with hanging bear bags. Finding the right trees is challenge #1 and once you do it can take a while to get the hang right.
In areas where bear canisters are not required, I personally use the Ursack. Simple reason: lighter and less bulky. The latest model of the "Ursack Almighty" has both a Spectra and a Kevlar layer to protect against both bears and critters, which are a far more common issue than bears. I am heavily influenced by the videos of Bear vs Ursack (spoiler alert: Ursack wins) and by the blogs of Andrew Skurka -- creator of the Wind River High Route and one of the most respected full-time guides out there.
I live in Montana where there is a healthy and growing Grizzly Bear population. They are now starting to appear in areas they haven't been seen in for almost 100 years. I personally would never leave my food on the ground like that in a bear canister so I hang my food in a water proof bag 50-100 yards away from my camp. In high elevation places it is hard to find good trees to hang food but I'd rather have a mouse or something get to my food (which has never happened despite many many subpar hangs at higher elevations) than have a Grizzly end up sticking around because they can at least easily get to the thing I'm keeping my food in.
Nice and concise video. I don't think there's a perfect answer for bear protection but I do agree the canisters reduce close encounters enough to be effective.
Thanks so much! I agree with you. No perfect solution. I suspect that canisters require less skill than hanging bear bags and that probably contributes to their effectiveness.
Great explanation. I haven't hiked in areas where bears are prevalent. But one point I hear about the bear bag / bear canister is that bears will avoid humans. If the bears can smell the food, they can smell YOU! Bears are now becoming unafraid of human smell. The folks who insist that bears will avoid humans are just naive.
Thanks so much! Yes, bears are becoming very comfortable around humans in some areas. This can make them seem less dangerous, but they are wild animals. Taking steps to properly handle our food protects both them and us 👍
I also almost always carry a bear can. However, when I hiked a 100 mile section of the PCT from Old Station to Castle Crags, every single thru-hiker I met slept with their food in their tent! Since so many people seemed to be doing that, and surviving, I sent my bear can home.
Yeah, some areas seem to be hot spots while other areas rarely report encounters. Personally, I would be inclined to keep my food away from my sleeping area, though. If a bear wandered through, maybe it would be more curious about a tent with food rather than mine 😜
Hmm maybe room for a product that would be more like a 2 day canister, small enough to take 2-3 of them, and made to fold down if opened and unlocked in some way. I always stage my bear bag so the food for the last day is on the bottom, and each day has a bag within the bag. Toiletries on top. Seems like an area that could be improved for sure.
Let's not forget that ANYTHING that has a scent should go in the bear can as well!! Tooth paste, Deo, scented soaps or lotions etc. Bears will go after those as well.
Absolutely! Important reminder. Thanks for sharing 👍
Everything has scent 😊
Also just don't bring scented deodorant, soap, or lotion into the backcountry
Who would take deodorant camping with them? Hahahahahahaha!
@@elderlord5164 .. You would be surprised ,, also colognes and perfumes ..
Promoting a product without turning your video into an advertisement for a specific manufacturer. The wellbeing of the wildlife and your fellow hikers seems to be your motivation. Well done, Sir!
Thanks so much! It sounds like you are concerned about the safety of fellow hikers and wildlife as well. I really appreciate it when people like yourself are responsible and conscientious when enjoying the outdoors. Stay safe out there ☺️
@@jfowler that said, what is your favorite bear can make/model?
@jbro151 I have two. The first is a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister. It’s my lightest and smallest and fits in my 48L pack. I can comfortably pack food for a 3 night trip. The second is a Garcia Backpackers Cache which is a little larger and heavier. It requires a little larger pack. I’ll bring that one on trips where I’m not covering as many miles and want to have a few extra treats.
@@jfowler thanks!!
I’m so glad to see this post. Bear canisters are definitely a nuisance to carry and maybe not totally foolproof, but I think they are the best alternative to help a bear avoid becoming a “nuisance” that is then hunted and killed as a result of inexperienced or careless campers and hikers with ultralight tunnel vision.
Thanks for sharing that! Well said 👍
I like that expression of yours!"Ultra light tunnel vision "!
Mine is:dum as a donut hole!
Why do they make them round? Wouldn't they at least be a little easier to carry if they were rectangular?
@@thefayyazisthey make them round because it's a much stronger design, it's harder for bears to grip them or apply significant pressure
It’s also a good idea if you’re an iPhone user to toss an AirTag inside your bear can. If you forget exactly where you put it or if a bear moves it, it could be the difference between losing your food or not.
Thanks for the tip! That is a good idea. It’s easy to forget exactly where it is even when it doesn’t move 😄
Good video. Pretty much agree with all you wrote. I've used the Ursack Almighty without any issues, but not in a heavy bear area or where canisters are required (for good reason). I think of the Ursack as a "critter" bag, because hike after hike, camp after camp, it's really squirrels, ravens, field mice, and chipmunks get into everything, even with you sitting there. Yes, eventually a big bear can chew through an Ursack, at least easier than in a canister. But in places like the Cascades, the desert, coastal areas, where bears are not common, they work great.
1. Keep your bear canister/bag clean. Don't get greasy, smelly hands or drizzle from something like a Honey Stinger wrapper on them. Critters (and bears) will smell this from a long way away.
2. Always use an odor bag, or a doubled up gallon freezer bag to put your old food wrappers in.
3. The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, as you're going to eat it before sunset.
4. In an area known for bear activity, even if the bears are known to be non-threatening, do not leave your camp abandoned more than 50 feet, even if your food is 200' away in a canister. Bears are curious, and if you are not around, they might just rip into your tent, tear open your $400 down sleeping bag, poke holes in your sleeping pad, etc. to see what's in there.
Thanks so much for the tips! A few practical measures can make all the difference. Odor proof bags have been a recurring suggestion and they make a lot of sense. Not leaving camp unguarded is important, too. Within seconds a bear can wipe out $1,000 worth of gear 😱
Agree. I prefer Ursack Almighty wherever bear canisters are not required.
A bear found my friend's Ursac. No, the bear didn't get in it, but everything inside was crushed and mixed beyond usability. So, I suppose it served its primary purpose of not teaching the bear that its efforts would be successful, but it didn't preserve the contents. Luckily, it was the last day of the trip.
"The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, " But you will need to store your stove, utensils and food trash in it.
We tested the first bear canisters in Yosemite in 1979. I did my backpacking before they were available, but avoided heavily-used areas and rarely had bear problems.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Glad that you have avoided bear problems 👍
All through Boundary Waters and up into Ontario canoeing....Never had a bear problem. Always sleep under a large tarp, never in a tent, and always keep my food and gear close to me under the tarp. Most people really should just stay home where they feel safe!
@@johnswanson3741Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m going to BWCA in September for the fist time. Good to hear you didn’t have bear problems
I grew up camping in Yosemite Valley with my parents and siblings. At that time they still had the dump where trash from dumpsters was unloaded. We used to call it the "bear pit" because people used to drive up and park their cars to watch the bears rummage through the garbage! This was long before they had bear boxes and it was common, believe it or not, to keep your food in the tent or car! Only once did a bear get into the tent of my aunt and uncle who were camping at the site next to ours. My uncle threw a box at the bear and it ran off. I can't believe it used to be like that in Yosemite!
Such a well thought video Jeff. I've come to a lot of the same conclusions. Even whatever space they take up besides being offset by the fact that they can be used for storage is that the only space lost is the actual thickness of the can itself, not the cubic air space in them, so really, it isn't that much space that's lost. Another plus is that they're great of packing sensitive items that might be prone to being crushed and work as a hard case and for keeping hygiene products like toothpaste that attract wildlife.
Thanks, I really appreciate it! Great tips! I totally agree. At first, the canister was the big unwieldy object I had to wrestle with. Now, i don’t give it a second thought. Everything just fits 😎
Remember also that as you consume the contents from your canister you can utilise the empty space to pack any waste (packaging, leftover bits of food, even soiled paper towel or such if used during clean up etc) into the bottom, just keep a strong sealable poly bag to prevent any contamination or smell from the waste in your canister. Not only keeps your site clean during & after your stay but less possibility of smells attracting wildlife.
Thanks for the tips! That’s an important reminder that i wish I mentioned in the video. Anything other than food that goes in the canister needs to be protected from the food odors. 👍
I use a bear canister, plus you can get different sizes for different trips. I do hang my cooking utensils, pharmaceuticals, sun block ect. I love the reflective tape suggestion.
Glad you enjoyed the tips! That’s a great idea that some people neglect. The fragrances and odors on stuff other than food definitely attract bears.
Some black bears in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park have figured out how to open some bear canisters, and it is thought that they are teaching one another. No kidding. The park now requires _all_ food and smellies to be hung, even if it is in a cannister. Per the official website:
"Bear canisters are not required nor recommended in the backcountry. If you choose to carry a bear canister, it must be placed in your pack and hung in the cable system to comply with the park requirement."
My cannister specifically states to _not_ hang it, as it may not take the shock of a drop. They say it's designed to be clawed and bitten, but not dropped. What to do, what to do.
Good to know! I’m constantly amazed by bears. There’s a famous bear in the Adirondacks that figured out how to open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister and Backpackers Cache. Been good so far, but who knows? Regarding Great Smoky Mountain, thankfully they set up cables for a secure hang. It’s difficult to get it right when utilizing trees. Thanks for sharing the info 😄
Wow black bears sure are sharp
As a Californian, we have to live with the reality of bear canisters. I'm glad that Desolation Wilderness in Tahoe finally went with the requirement last year. Those pine trees have thin branches that point downwards and you're not going to get a proper hang. Ursaks need to be defended; otherwise bears there had learned to just keep picking at the same spot in the bag. They eventually tear open and food gotten into.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Unfortunately, I hear more and more about Ursaks getting torn open. I’ve also read about a bear in New York State that has learned how to open Bear Vaults.
@@jfowler I eventually went w/ a Bearikade Blazer. It was one of my last big upgrades... slightly more volume than a BV500 and ~$35/ounce for the difference.
I usually stick it a bush overnight. So when you hear metallic tapping at night, you know that a bear is checking it out =)
@@jfowler ,
Yeah, it's a female bear and she's been teaching the other bears how to do it.
I have to respect that bear. After a long day on a winter's hike, I sometimes struggle to open the lid with my freezing fingers on the Bear Vault. So that bear is smarter than I am.
The other thing that some bears have learned to do is to roll the canister off a cliff to break it open. So you're really have to do a good job of anchoring or wedging it into something, like the crotch of a tree or a rock pile.
@@jfowler they can't open a bear vault while I'm running at them like crazy person with a stick. chasem like youre gonna eatem. They bluff charge as well.
@@chriseidam7319 bears are like prisoners....to much time, curiosity, and dogged determination to get what they want.
All of this makes so much sense to me. Thanks for posting.
Thanks so much! Im glad you enjoyed it 😊
I use a Bearikade which reduces the weight quite a bit. They are expensive but worth it if you're an ounce counter. They also have rental canisters which I did try first before purchasing. It was very easy. Happy hiking.
Thanks for your comments. We rented a couple of those, too. I love how light they are but I wish they would design one with a narrower diameter. That would make them compatible with a lot more packs.
I'd love to get a Bearikade, however they are not IGBC certified so they're not approved in some NP like Yellowstone or Glacier =(
Most people have trouble getting that rock bag over a high branch. I carry a hiking stick that is 45 inches long which I use as a catapult (also called Staff Sling), gives me more power and directional control to toss that rock bag right where I want it. I tie a loop on bear line that just fits over my hiking stick/catapult, 8 inches down the line is rock bag, then rest of line. Swing the catapult and stop the swing just before stick is straight up, rock bag flings off and makes it over high branch. May take a couple times to learn how to do it but once learned it is far easier.
Nice! Thanks for the tip. That’s the challenging part, getting the line where you want it. Especially when bridging your hang between two trees. Thanks for sharing!
Good idea about the reflective tape, I like that one. Bears are taught by their mothers people mean food, meaning we have food almost always. Once a bear is "trained" like this it is not likely going to stop the hunt for easy food. Bears that you can scare away from just your voice are most likely not used to humans, like the one you encountered returned multiple times is highly likely could attack if hungry enough. I spent years as a guide trying to keep people calm in bear country because there is some predictable habits but once they eat human food it is much more unpredictable. Be safe out there.
Thanks for sharing your insights! Seems like you’re right. We now have generations of bears that have learned to seek out people food 😮
Im a somewhat beginner backpacker and I’ve never put a ton of thought into my bear bag so this is super helpful thanks! :)
I’m glad you found it helpful! Welcome to the trail! I mostly backpack in the Southeast United States which has a growing population of black bears. So, bear canisters are a necessity for me. I’m sure there are other areas of the country where there is less risk of bear encounters. Personally, I like the peace of mind of having one along. 😄
Take a look at wild-ideas Bearikade
I live a few hours from the AT in New England and the bears have learned how to take down hanging bear bags and slash through Ursaks.
There are plenty of bear boxes, but they are sometimes full. And I had an habitual through-hiker named "Jazzman" steal food from my canister where it was stashed in a bear box in Massachusetts...after he took a 30-minute dump in the privy at midnight. He is one of the infamous, chronically-homeless backpackers constantly hiking trails and stealing from other hikers. He even stole one of my dirty Darn Tough socks before he bolted from that shelter early that morning. Not both socks. Just one. And yeah, he was a privy door slammer.
Now I won't use a bear box if other hikers are at the site. I have heard of food theft from other hikers.
@gregoryfarris4801 Yeah, on our first trip with bear canisters we rented a couple of those. Super nice, and pretty light!
@chriseidam7319 that’s pretty comical until you mention the part about Darn Tough sock. I love my Darn Toughs 😂
Camping in the boundary waters of Minnesota, I've always hung a kevlar bear bag, suspended between 2 trees. I'd say anything is better than nothing, but a bear canister would be a good idea as well, as it can float if it ever falls into a body of water; whereas a bear bag probably won't.
It sounds to me that you hang your bag the right way. That takes some skill! The bear canisters that I have are not watertight, so water will get in if submerged. However, I think it would float if there are some sealed backpacking meals or Ziploc bags inside. Thanks for the feedback! 😎
I have the Garcia bear canister. It will only fit vertically in my pack. As well, it takes up too much room inside of the pack. I will not strap the can on the outside. I do not like to strap items to the outside of the pack. Instead, I use the Nanuk 905 container. Similar in size to the Garcia but fits horizontally in my pack. I can store about 5 days worth of meals in the Nanuk. The Nanuk was Polar Bear Tested. But, not officially found on an approved US bear canister list. I trust the Nanuk will survive a bear encounter. As well, I use Nanuk products to protect other valuables. Thanks for the valuable information and shared experience. Be well. Be safe. Happy Trails!
I’m with you! The Garcia is pretty big so my go-to can is the UDAP No-Fed-Bear. It’s the perfect size for my typical 3 night trips and fits easily in any orientation inside my 48L pack. Thanks for mentioning the Nanuk. I’ll have to check that out 👍
Thank you.
This is probably the best video I have seen regarding canisters vs hanging. Thank you! Love the reflextive tape advice.
I’m so glad it was helpful! Thanks so much 😄
Cayenne pepper is a great deterrent. You can put it in a cotton bag and hang it, and also sprinkle it around the camp boundery.
Thanks for the tip! 😎
The canister is definitely simpler and quicker. Less prone to user error too; many bear bags aren't hung "properly" so the bear can't reach (like the friend in the video)
For sure! Yeah, he learned a lesson that day, but he really likes to tell the story 😂 Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
Thank you. Straight forward and to the point. I am hoping that some brainiac comes up with a canister solution that is lighter and collapses when food/trash/smellables volume decreases.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a more packable and lighter solution would be great. It would definitely take some brains! Bears are so crazy powerful and determined.
That collapsing idea is genius. You might want to contact one of the companies that makes the carbon fiber canisters that can be customized.
Maybe ask the company who built that cheap Titanic submarine. It can collapse real good
My uncle and cousin and my dad and I were on the first day of a multiday canoe trip in the boundary waters in 1976. We hung our food in a bag. Right after my cousin and I had gotten in the tent a black bear came into camp. Nothing we did scared the bear, banging pans, shouting, etc. The bear started climbing trees until it found the one with the bag. It climbed above the branch and tried to break off the limb with its foot. When that failed it started to come back down. At that time, we decided that maybe we should retreat to the lake in our canoes. We stayed out in the lake for about 45 minutes until we heard the next campsite down the lake barking and making noise. When we got back into camp, we found that the bear had chewed the branch in half and ate all of our food. Lucky for us it was the first night of the trip, so we just paddled out in the morning, and we did not have to go hungry of several days. It did cut the trip short by 3 days. I can also answer the question do bears shit in the woods. The answer is no, they shit in the middle of your campsite.
Wow, that’s quite an experience! Amazing how bold, determined and smart that bear was. So, sorry to hear that trip was cut short. Glad everyone stayed safe and have a story to tell, though 😄
Great PSA, I'm sure this will help quite a few new backpackers. Especially in a world where most videos are focused on the gram counting you mentioned. I know we always follow the triangle rule as well. Where you make a triangle between your campsite (upwind), your bathroom area, and your bear box/cooking area. Really helps reducing the risk of them coming through your camp to knock around a canister they can't get into.
Thank so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s an excellent rule to follow. I am going to have to commit that to memory and apply it on the next trip. Stay safe! 😊
Black bear intelligence and retrieving food hangs is the main reason many NFS areas require a canister now. The Bear Vault is much better than Garcia Machine rented by the park service. I met some folks on trail in the Sierras and a guy told me how a black bear approached during lunch break and grabbed a pack. I've had to camp across three states in grizzly country with food hanging and it makes for light sleeping even with bear spray. So many people in certain areas today, I carry bear spray even in black bear areas because they are too accustomed to hikers.
I know, they are so smart! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Sharing the outdoors with these amazing animals is unavoidable making it so important to be educated and prepared.
i love bears and love your respect and caring for the bears!
Thanks so much! That’s vital, love AND respect 😊
In my many years in the back country, mostly in canoe areas we tried to cook a hot meal late in the afternoon long way from our intended camp spot. I have never had to use a bear canister but They seems to be much better solution that hanging your food. Smart bears soon learn to shake the rope tied to the trunk of the tree. Over the years I have found Ravins and racons a bigger problem and a lot smarter than bears. My worst problem are bears that come into camp and acted like the family dog and just hung around. When that happens, that tells me people have been hand feeding the bears and it is time to get the Hell out of the area.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I totally agree! Being joined by a bear in camp, that would probably be a good time to leave!
I don't know who wins that battle - you just mentioned the 3 smartest pests in the world.
I have had mama bears send babies up the tree to bite the rope. Hanging never works against determined bears. Treeline environments in the Sierras also lack large trees, and bears will go there to get camper food.
My tip is that not all bear canisters are created equal. The clear blue BearVault cans have been banned in the ADK region because they have been defeated by some bears there. You need to use the more resistant Garcia Backpackers Cache.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve seen a picture of one of those torn open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a Udap No-Fed-Bear and a Backpacker’s Cache. For my three day trips the Udap is the best size. Stay safe!
I took one of those Bearvault blue cans to Alaska, Wrangell St Elias, a few years ago and it got crushed and ripped open at the lid. We didn't see or hear anything. It was my first time using one and we were on the tundra for the first part of the trip so that was kind of our only option anyway. We had to satellite call for a food drop as we were in the middle of a 21 day hike.
Something else to remember when using a bear canister is to put everything in an odor-proof bag, such as an Opsak (regular ziploc bags don't count as they're not odor-proof). All food, used cooking items, and scented items should go in the bag, which goes inside the bear canister. This helps keeps bears from being attracted to your camp. If they can't smell it, they're less likely to be interested.
Thanks for the tip! Makes a lot of sense (scents? 😂) I have to start doing that 👍
I constant carry food on me and eat snacks in my tent at night like nuts and meat Chomps. Do you guys just not eat snacks at night? Do you burn the wrappers?
@@j01150126I think if you keep doing that you're gonna be one of those people we read about that got eaten in his own tent.
@@j01150126Might as well smear yourself with pork/chicken gravy and chocolate chips
@@franny5295 I did it all through the Marines in the jungles of the Philippines but not bears there lol
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the video. I know the day is coming when the ATC demands that food is stored in a bear canister. This will make me sad for sure as they are indeed heavy. For overnight and some 3 day 2 night hikes I can get away with using the 425 BV which I believe is the smallest size they offer. Maybe the time to start getting used to these is now. They are also much easier to stash for the night a bear bag in a tree can take some time especially when you are tired. Thanks for sharing the video and stay safe!
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You might be right. As the bear population increases and they become more comfortable around people, it seems there is more potential for dangerous encounters. Stay safe out there! 😊
I started using a bear canister this year and while the weight and volume is a bit of a pain, as I try to go as light as possible, I have gotten tired of trying to do a good hang for the reasons you point out. One other thing I do is to put the food in an odour free bag and then find a low point in the landscape away from camp and so far no problem.
Thanks for your thoughts! That’s a great tip. Don’t give the bear a reason to investigate in the first place 👍
From what I have read it depends on which canister you use. A while back I was reading that in some parks the bears have actually opened up canisters. Not sure which brand of canister but one of them. Probably a better bet to check with the park your interested in and see if they have banned certain canisters. The other problem could be the use of designated campsites , the Bears know the food will be there or in that area when people are around.
Thanks for mentioning it! I think you’re right. There are published lists of which bear canisters are approved. Definitely a good idea to be familiar with which ones are allowed.
Also I know of more than one canister that has been carried off on the AT this year...Two went missing in the Hot Springs area just a few weeks ago...
That would be the BearVault canister that a few bears have managed to open. If I remember correctly, the BearVault canisters are no longer allowed in the Adirondacks. Definitely check the list of approved bear canisters before you go someplace.
Don't tempt fate. Keep your contact down with bears. Don't leave a canister vulnerable if you can. Take all precaution.
There's plenty of other wild life.
I've always used Ursacs for hiking in Michigan and the AT. The only animal that got into it was a red squirrel. I suspect bears just never happened upon the bag in all these trips. This video definitely makes me consider buying a bear cannister for future trips. Thanks.
Absolutely! I don’t have any personal experience to share regarding Ursak, but I have heard about bears getting in them. Might be worth considering the alternatives.
Lots of pics of damaged ursacks online. When they don’t get into them the bear will smash and destroy the contents making them unusable… plastic packaging and food contents turned into its own special granola. Bear doesn’t get the treat, but neither do you so your trip can be ended. I’m in Colorado and see people posting about it every summer, especially on the CT. I’ll use one where bears aren’t expected but are possible but usually I carry a bearikade.
I appreciate your views & reasons for bear canister use. As you said their a useful deterrent for all animals looking for a snack. Once you get use to them it just becomes part of your kit & routine. Thanks for sharing! Especially your bear experiences. Makes me feel all the better about canister use.
Thanks so much! That’s what I’ve found, too. I don’t give it a second thought when packing. The canister always fits and I think the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Stay safe!
Nice video. I've used a bear vault the past few years with success. As a fish/game officer I've been in many camps where the bear got the goodies from the bag that was hung in the tree.
Thanks so much for sharing your comments! We can all benefit from your years of experience 👍
GREAT video! After 15 yrs of backpacking experience in the back country, I have come to all the same conclusions you present here. Interesting how little help retailers like REI and mfr’s of backpacks offer on the subject. I use a BV500 now when bear protection is called for, I think the real benefit is the protection from small critters, who are MUCH more likely to eat and run at your expense!! Thanks for the video, I was happy to hit the subscribe button!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. The smaller critters can definitely be problem. Especially in frequently used campsites where they come to expect and rely on campers as their primary food source.
These have been standard in the Sierras for many years. It has resulted in bears no longer raiding backpackers. Car campsites have metal boxes. Its a massive improvement. The only episode I have heard about bears defeating the cannister was one bear living near North Dome in Yosemite. He would bat the cannisters off short cliffs causing it to break.
I make a point of putting the cannister in rocks or logs where it is wedged and is very difficult to roll around.
For long trips, they can be difficult to fit everything in. For such trips, I cut the foil food packages away and pack the contents in good zip bags. I clip off the food title and instructions to rehydrate. I will cook the contents in my stove water container for 2 minutes after adding it to the boiling water before covering and waiting. Food hydrates better with this routine, but you have clean up rather than a throw away bag. Oh well.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I’ve heard about the Yosemite bear-so amazing how intelligent these creatures are. Thanks for the tips, too 😎
Regular in the BWCA. We always double bag our food in airtight bags packed into our bear bag. We hang every time and have never had a problem in 20+ years. We also avoid the heavily used routes which probably helps.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds like your methods are working well 👍
Jeff, thanks for the informative video. As a solo female hiker, your bear hang experiences give me a different perspective on food storage in the backcountry. I used to think that as long as I hung my food, the bears wouldn't get it. I think that is generally the case where I've hiked in Central Canada, Mexico and Belize. However, I'm hiking in Montana this summer and will consider picking a bear canister up after watching this video. Also subscribing to your channel. ✅️
Thanks so much! Of course, where you hike is a big factor to consider. Bears are simply not a problem in some parts of the world. However, here in the Southeast United States, a bear encounter is always a possibility. Honestly, the only reason I got a bear canister at first was because it was a requirement for the area where I was backpacking. Then I was hooked by the convenience and reliability of using one. Thanks for sharing your comments. Stay safe out there! 😄🥾
I didn't know there was such a thing as a bear canister. I'm definitely going to get a couple as I sometimes go bicycle touring through bear country. Thanks for your great info.
Absolutely! So glad you enjoyed the video 👍
Excellent post. IMHO the bulk of a bear can is the only real drawback. Your advice about using the can to pack other items as one's food supply dwindles through the trip is brilliant and becomes a feature instead of a drawback. Would like to add a thought - once you pack non-food items in your can never re-pack these items outside of the can. These items will become saturated with food scent. Additionally pack your food trash in a scent-free bag before packing in the can so you don't possibly contaminate fresh food. The can starts out as a bulky drag but becomes more useful as the days pass. Thanks again for this great post!
Great points! It’s definitely important to be hyper-aware of items that carry a scent and to handle them carefully. It’s so easy to forget and contaminate all of your gear. Thanks so much for sharing! 😄
I have come to the same conclusion that you have; always use a bear can. Your video does a great job of explaining why. Also, spot on with the pro's and con's.
Thanks! I really appreciate it. Stay safe 👍
I never used a bear canister on my AT thru-hike, despite seeing bears constantly in and around camp. Where there is a mature tree canopy (most of the east coast), you should be able to get a good hang if you learn the ropes. However, Western states with low trees are good areas for using a canister. We needed one for Denali in Alaska. Grizzlies everywhere and few trees tall enough.
Thanks! I think you make a good point. A good hang is the key to success when hanging a bear bag. Some areas are simply not suited for achieving this.
I started with a BearVault. Hated it, so hung my food for years and even used an Ursack. Never had any problems, but a lot of terrible hangs. Seems like all branches are too low or too high where I camp. Picked up 2 different sized ones for the Adirondacks High peaks. Ironically, while finishing the 46, I only camped out in the backcountry once where I needed it. For short single night trips since then and canoe camping, I am always bringing it. I often use it car camping too. Still hate the weight and space. Surprised that no one has figured out how to make one just as strong, but at half the weight.
I’ve carried a bear canister for decades in wilderness, and the biggest pain is fitting it in my pack.
I’m just about to head off on a motocamping trip and just got an Ursack, the big one, and some odor-proof bags. Because I won’t be in wilderness areas, I think it will be allowed everywhere.
I haven’t hung a bag from a tree in decades, not looking forward to that part, but definitely looking forward to not caring a big can on a motorcycle.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I had some terrible hangs, too. No problems but the bear population has increased considerably since then. The convenience of the canister is probably the biggest plus for me. In recent years we’ve had more visits from small critters including raccoons and mice. I like how the canister works well against them, too. Yeah, there has to be a way to make them less heavy. Wild Ideas Bearikade is probably the lightest option but I don’t like the bulky shape and sharp corners. For now I'll stick with my trusty UDAP No-Fed-Bear. It’s the perfect size for my lightweight packs and holds plenty for a long weekend. Stay safe out there!
Thanks for the tips.
I can't believe I never thought of putting reflective tape on my Bear Vault.
Here are my two tips:
1) Use light, weak stretch cordage or thread to tie a bear bell around the canister to alert you to the presence of a bear messing with it. It must be weak enough to break, lest a bear use it as a carry handle.
2) I recommend the Seek Outside Divide 79L backpack. It fits the largest Bear Vault inside, horizontally, yet it is ultralight. It also has many other features. The strap buckles are clever and handy.
It is only slightly heavier than my Z-Packs Arc Haul, but it is more comfortable and it is rated to carry up to 200 lbs.! It carries 45 lbs. better than the Arc Haul carries 35 lbs.
It is awesome for winter hikes because of its volume, too.
The construction is so rugged that I suspect it could manage the Triple Crown and still have miles of hiking left in it.
Thanks so much for the tips! I will have to check out that pack. I have been considering the Arc Haul 60L, but it sounds like it is too compact for most bear canisters.
@@jfowler
I would not buy the Arc haul again. It squeaks. It squeaks and it squeaks and it squeaks.
The V-strap Z-Packs offers that's supposed to be able to mount a canister to the top of the pack? It won't work because the straps are so narrow and frail that they slip loose at the same time that the contents in your backpack settle. So the canister keeps falling off to the side.
If you put the canister inside the pack it has to go vertically, which doesn't feel right against your back. And it puts a lot of strain on the seams.
The most-frustrating thing about the Arc Haul is that those carbon rods that are supposed to make the arc for venting your back we're not designed properly. They're secured at the top, the bottom and the middle, and when you have the pack loaded to its maximum carry, instead of arcing the rods collapse into an S-shape and the pack sits flat against your back. The arcing rods are supposed to be the big, innovative advantage. How could Z-Packs screw it up and leave it screwed up for years for that kind of money?
It's telling that most of the major-name UA-cam personalities for backpacking that once highly recommend it no longer use the Arc Haul. I heard Dan Becker say it's his favorite pack, but he is the only one I've seen and give it acclaim in years.
If Z-Packs had the carbon rods anchored at the top, the bottom and at two or three places in between, that collapse wouldn't happen.
Z-Packs has known about the problem for years. I don't know if it's fixed it on the newer ones. I haven't heard anything about it being fixed.
The last problem is that the load lifters need adjustment every ten or so miles because the straps are too narrow and thus slip for lack of sufficient friction.
Those are a lot of flaws for the $425 I spent on the thing.
There's a guy with a UA-cam channel that I think is called ShastaBubba. He lives out West in the mountain states. He did a really good review on the Divide pack. That's why I bought it.
The only flaw I found is that the frame height velcro adjusting strap has sharp corners at the end of that strap that curl up and rub against my back if I'm only wearing a thin shirt. It's not a major thing, and it's something I could fix by cutting and rounding the corners and then restitching the end of the strap. I sent Seek Outside an email to advise them on it. Maybe most people wouldn't even notice it. Another easy fix would be to throw some duct tape over the ends of the strap.
Considering how many faults I've found in the various backpacks I've owned, that was the most minor annoyance of any of them. I doubt I will ever buy another pack. Or need to.
Happy trails.
Thanks so much for the review! Good stuff to know when considering a pretty expensive pack like the Arc Haul. I will take a serious look at the Divide pack. Thanks again 👍
I use a bear canister and have tried a couple styles and settled on the one with the tabs on the lid you push in to allow the lid to twist off. It makes a good seat at camp and my dog loves to go find it since he knows it contains all the food and is of course not scent proof. First thing he does in the morning is go check that some bear hasn’t made off with all our food.
Sounds like a great trail companion! 😀
I always sprinkle cayenne powder on my food container. A snoot of that and most critters leave it alone.
My buddy brings a bottle of cayenne along, too 🌶️
Great tips based on your precious experience. Thank you for your time & effort!
That’s so kind of you! Thank you. I’m really glad that you find the information helpful. Stay safe!
I have seen a lot of videos on this topic, and yours is the best.
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Glad I live in New Zealand - you can hike and camp in the outdoors and no snakes or bears.
That is a plus! And a beautiful place to live. Would love to see it someday 😊
Moderns backpackers may try to cook outside in cold wind or risk their lives cooking inside without a chimney using their so called 4 season equipment. Usually they are at home waiting for good weather.
All over the world there are people who follow their animals living in portable shelters, not one of them cooks outside in the wind.
It is impossible for anyone to survive a winter cooking every day out side with so called 4 season equipment.
Using a chimney makes camping in any weather a comfortable pleasure.
A tarp pitch can be the best 4 season shelter.
It has to go tight to the ground on all sides and have a wood stove inside if it is going to be any good in a winter blizzard. Stove and chimney 24 ounces, shelter near 2.5 lbs. The whole outfit cannot weigh more than 5 lbs. if backpackers are going to use it.
A 10’x10’ tarp only needs to be pegged on the 4 corners with as many pegs as it takes to be secure in any wind. No grommets are needed. It has cramped space for 3 cooking, lots of space 4 sleeping.
The chimney can serve as one of the 40” long corner poles. Sticks that have a small nail driven in both ends (head pinched off). One end stays put on the ground, the other end through a reinforced point exactly in the corner 40” from the edges of the tarp.
All sides can be raised forming an umbrella to cool off because of heat from the tiny cookstove or summer sun. This is what 4 season equipment is all about.
Interesting information 👍
Curious, how can a two-tree hang be vulnerable to bears/other animals? When you suspend between two trees, it’s much easier to achieve good height and spacing, compared to a one-tree hang.
Thanks for your feedback. I prefer that method, too. Hanging a bag from a single limb seems much more vulnerable. I’m not saying that hanging a bear bag doesn’t work. However, it has to be done right and my observation is that most people don’t know how or don’t care. Personally, I would rather take 2 minutes walking my canister away from camp than 30 minutes or more engineering a hang done right. Not that this is typical, but one of my buddies spent over an hour working on hanging his bag. At the end of a long day on the trail, I just don’t have the patience 😄
I canister. But I have never had a hung bag bothered in 5 decades of hanging, in problem bear areas.
Thanks, it sounds like you have a good system working for you 👍
Add a personal alarm with the canister. They pull on the cord and the alarm goes off. Some have a flashing light to allow you to locate the canister as it is rolled down the hill by the bear.
Thanks for the tip! I didn’t know about that product. Finding the canister the next morning can be a challenge even when it hasn’t been moved 😄
Too many ppl fail at a proper bear hang which then trains the bears with success. Many promote the pct method, which requires such a specific branch (few of which are truly available) , the bears then learn the one branch which contains food. I recommend ppl read Cliff Jacobson's articles about bears and food. He is an expert guide in the boundary waters canoe area.
Thanks for the tip! I agree. It is very difficult to get a truly effective bear bag hang even when you find the correct tree(s).
Great tips. Thank you. I went with the canister, glad I did. I think that and the sleep system are worth the weight.
I agree. Glad it was helpful! ☺️
I like the yellow canisters better so they don't get so hot in the sun. Electric fences work well too. I will often put one around my tent in dense Brown Bear country and another around my food or meat cache if I am hunting.
Great points! Thanks for sharing your experience 😃
Thanks for sharing. I’ve lived in Texas all my life, never really thought of bears. Not until my parents bought land in the mountains of Colorado. We go up there to camp every yr. Thats when I had to think of bears. I didn’t know anything. This is helpful.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. It’s amazing how the bear population has really grown. 😮
I still have one of the original Garcia cannisters, like the one shown being sat on, but the only ones I still use are my two Bearikades. At Miller Flat on the Lost Coast I've see bears ignore camps with cannister visible, and head for camps where cannisters are not visible.
Those Bearikades would make a pretty comfortable seat! More so than the Garcia because they are so wide. I rented a couple of those on my first thru-hike of the Art Loeb Trail. I loved the light weight but wasn’t a fan of the bulky size and sharp edges. Thanks for sharing your observations about bears avoiding bear canister equipped sites. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was intentional behavior-bears are so smart 😄
Another point that others may have mentioned, is that the cannister negates the need to bring ropes and pulleys to hang a bag, and hence, offsets the weight a bit more.
I love the convenience of a bear canister, not so much the inconvenience of packing one. But it is always worth it, I guess, as I carry one even when hanging food is allowed and trees are plentiful - even if I’m going to a spot in Olympic National Park that provides bear wire to make hanging easy. And yes, you can be creative with space. Coffee/tea stored in my mug inside the bear can. Fuel cans, and when space is there, my insulated food jar.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I feel the same way. I love that I don’t have to engineer a bear hang at the end of a long day of hiking, but the limited space and extra weight can be a challenge. Olympic National Park looks like an amazing place to visit. I will have to get out there some time! ☺️
A friend at work is going to Alaska to hunt moose with his brother. He is taking along a bear fence, and a 10 mm Glock.
Amazing country up there! Sounds like he is well prepared 👍
Another negative of a bear canister is there volume. On a multi day trip they hold very little. I live and hike in grizzly country of British Columbia and will continue to hang my food in an ursa bag
Good point. Yeah, that can be a problem on longer trips. Personally, my trips last 3 to 4 days and my two canister sizes do fine. 5+ days would get tight and I would have to ration my food.
My first use of a canister had me almost in tears trying to open it when I arrived at my 10,200' campsite, tired and hungry I was unable to even budge the twist on lid of the Bear Vault because I had packed it at my homes 600' elevation. After driving up to 10,000 and hiking the rest all the contents had expanded tight right up against the little ribs on the inside of the screw on top. Won't do that again, hopefully.
Interesting! I would have never thought of the expanding contents issue. Thanks for sharing your experience. I don’t use Bear Vault style canisters and I wonder if I would have the same problem with a coin lock style model. When the locks are released the lid pops outward rather than twisting off.
@@jfowler Ya I don't think the twist lock style would be an issue.
I've had many encounters with bears all fairly friendly and I don't have to leave home to have them. I've hiked thousands of trails and never had a bear in my campsite, maybe they don't like the dogs. I can confirm that bears are acrobats and move much faster and quieter than most can imagine. I've always just hollered at them and they've run off. I have however had a harrowing experience with deer mice, thousands of them. It was at an open faced shelter in the Great Gulf, gone now for many years. This was due to the large groups of hikers wanting to climb the vertical walls of the gulf but without heavy packs. They would come in the nearly flat approach from the auto road and camp intending to summit the following day. I came in down a ladderway called the Six Husbands Trail and stayed the night then climbed the headwall to Mt. Washington the next day with a 50 pound pack. Everyone said I was crazy to do that and in retrospect they were right. Anyhow, the mice attacked after dark and chewed their way into most everyone's pack and ate whatever food they could find. I woke up multiple times with mice on my sleeping bag and they chewed a hole into my pack as well. The forest service burned the shelter a short time after that.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I have had the same observations about the agility and speed of bears. However, similar to your comments, I would have to say that my encounters have never felt threatening. The bears just wanted our food. However, they did come into camp. Maybe your theory about the dogs is correct because we didn't have one with us. Your mouse story is alarming! On my last trip I had just one chew a hole in my tent while I was in it. I can't imagine dealing with the numbers you’re talking about! That sounds like a plague of mice. The prevalence of smaller critters is probably one of the biggest reasons I carry a canister now. Especially when visiting popular campsites along high traffic trails.
Never thought about using the container as a chair, good idea!
Thanks! One of my buddies even attached a disc he cut from sleeping pad foam to make it a little more comfortable 😄
I would concern over getting food smell on it considering most would think to sit on it while cooking. I would keep the canister (and/or bear bag AND my motorcycle!) away and upwind from the kitchen. Just a thought.
Reflective strips on the canister, great idea.
Thanks, so glad you found it helpful! ☺️
Pro Tip: Don't camp in areas where the local bears have been habituated to humans.
Yeah, learned the hard way 😅
Thanks Jeff! I agree with the bear can, but definitely heavy. I’m in Southern California and it’s required in most places out here
Thanks for sharing! Yeah, I’m not thrilled about the weight penalty for carrying one. You get used to it, though 😄
I used to spend up to 30 minutes looking well away from camp for the perfect branch on which to hang my food. Never lost any food over a couple decades; however, I stopped that practice when I read about bears (somewhere here in CA) who were starting to chew enough wood off a branch, damaging teeth and gums in the process, so they could break the weakened branch and knock the bag to the ground. I was less concerned with the thought of losing food days from the trailhead than I was with following a practice that could cause damage to a bear. Tried an Ursack for a while but couldn't use it everywhere, so was forced to use a much heavier canister at times. I enjoyed the convenience and effectiveness of the canister so much that it became my only option for food protection.
Oh wow! Bears are very determined and persistent creatures! 😮
My bear hangs are basically bear pinatas. I also use a bear can instead.
Good idea on bright stickers.
I hear ya! I’m so glad you found the tip useful 😄
Bear spray may be a deterrent but it also can attract bears.
So if you use it be prepared to change locations
Thanks! That’s very good to know 😎
Important point you make there. Fact is, there's nothing about humans that don't attract bears that are hip to humans. Anything about us spells "potential food there". The only thing I might try is a stronger scent of natural things in the same area, for instance a little pine in a pine forest may help mask/throw-off a scent track, BUT I bet using pinesol, which is strong and they don't like, would simply indicate to them to "check it out".
One more reminder about bears that you may not have thought about. While you are out camping and hiking, don’t leave ANY food in your car back at the trail head. I’ve come across cars with the windows smashed, door ripped out of the door frame, and the rear seat cushions ripped out and laying out on the ground by a bear. He obviously found the freeze-dried food packages that the through hikers on the AT stashed in their trunk. That car was totalled. I can’t imagine how much of a downer that would be, coming off the trail and expecting to stock up for the next week only to find that carnage.
Thanks for mentioning it! That would be a horrible discovery. I will definitely keep that in mind and mention it to my buddies. 👍
I am just getting back into backpacking this year and the PNW is definitely bear country. This video reaffirms my decision to go with a bear canister and I get size my bag appropriately.
That’s great! I would love to get back out there. I’m so glad the video helped. Thanks for sharing your comments 😄
Good information!
I have one and I agree !
I use mine as a camp stool and it’s okay and leave my folding camp chair at home !
Thanks so much! If it’s a long thru-hike I leave the chair. If it’s a little more of a leisure trip, the canister and the camp chair come along 😄
Which one do you like? There are many to choose from.
I have two:
Udap NO-FED-Bear Bear Resistant Canister amzn.to/3snTYAe
Backpacker's Cache - Bear Proof Container amzn.to/45HL0vN
I use the Udap NO-FED-Bear canister on most trips because I like the smaller size. It fits horizontally inside my 48L Osprey Exos pack. It’s big enough for me to hold 3 to 4 days of food but I usually don't bring freeze dried meals. Those are a little more bulky and would fit better in the Backpacker's Cache canister.
I did enjoy those thoughts. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Definitely concur. Nearly all of my backpacking is in bear country so canisters are an automatic for any trip. The weight is the biggest dislike - I can make due with the size.
Based on your username it sounds like you might be in the southeast, too. Yeah, I agree. It’s the weight, but that’s a small sacrifice compared to the safety and convenience. Stay safe out there 😄
Why not use the pulley system to hang your food bag?
You don't need much more than a pulley and two pieces of paracord; don't need a long branch (even a broken branch will do); much lighter and easier to pack than a canister; pulley makes it easy to lift up (no friction).
I think the canister is a good option but not sure if its the best. Mostly because of weight and needing to try to fit things inside of it.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like a great method! I also like the method that is almost as good as hanging between two trees where the bag gets hung from a diagonal line anchored to one tree. A carabiner is used as the hoist point and slides up the line as it is pulled up. 😎
I would think swapping gear back and forth out of a bear cannister would be a bad idea...any residual food smell gets on your gear and you've defeated the whole purpose. Gear I might add is likely to be in your tent. Even if the odor is miniscule, a bear will pick up on it.
Thanks for the observation! That’s a good point. If putting gear in the canister, it should stay in the canister for the remainder of the trip. Some others have mentioned packing all food items in odor-proof bags before placing in the canister. Using these to separate food from other items might reduce any scents that could be transferred. As you say, the safest strategy is to only pack food and food trash in the canister and keep all other items separate. 👍
Put an airtag in your bear can. Easier to find if it’s moved. Or even if it’s still where you left it and forgot!
Putting clothing in your bear can might make you smell like treats later in the trip. Choose items to fill empty can space wisely.
Great tips! Another commenter recommended using a Tile tracker, too. Yep, I have had trouble finding my canister exactly where I placed it. Funny how things can look totally different at night compared to during the day! Also, very good reminder about items that come in contact with food smells. 👍
I usually backpack in areas of the California Sierras where there are black bears, but not high numbers. I prefer to use a counter balance method. I think it works really well if you have the right tree. The branch is too light for the bear to go out on, but flexible enough to hold his weight near the tree. 10-12 feet high, but 10 feet from the trunk if possible. I found bear cans too heavy and on a long trip one isn’t even enough for one person.
Thanks for the experience! Yeah, makes sense. My trips are usually 3 nights so I haven't had to deal with the size limitation yet. Stay safe!
I tried hanging once, and raccoons cut the paracord I had used. Bear cannister after that. I had some webbing sewn up with a couple of buckles to attach the can to the bottom of my pack. Works extremely well. I carry an ursac on longer trips if the 1 can isnt big enough.
Ugh. The small critters can really make life miserable. I had an issue with a mouse recently. It sounds like you found a workable solution for mounting the can to your pack. That can be a challenge with some of the smaller volume ultralight packs. Thanks for sharing your experience! 😄
Nice. Thanks. Good advice.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback 👍
Be sure to check, some of the plastic canisters are no longer allowed in parts of the Adirondak mountains in NY State.
That’s what I’ve heard, too 👍
How do you keep from losing the screws on the top when you have the canister open? I just feel I'd lose them.
Thanks for your question! They actually don’t come out. You give them a 1/4 turn to open the canister and they stay attached to the lid. I keep a 3/8" flat washer attached to my pack which is the perfect size to turn the screws.
@@jfowler Great idea! I was thinking a coin, but I'd lose it. A washer can hang out with my whistle on my pack. Thank you for responding!
I’m a bit of a newbie when it comes to bear canisters. Any reason why they are always “canisters”? It seems to me that a rectangular shape might be a better fit to insert into - or attach onto - a pack. Just curious.
Good question! I don’t know. I would guess that it has something to do with how a cylindrical object distributes a load. Maybe a rectangular object would be more likely to cave in 🤷🏼♂️
It's for strength. They need to withstand a bear stomping on them to "pop" the container, also a round shape eliminates places to grab/bite so they don't carry it off or rip it open.
I’ve backpacked in Yosemite many times and have had to use a canister. Never had a problem with a bear or seen one. Other than the weight I enjoy the food security and convenience.
Thanks for your comment! I would absolutely love to backpack in Yosemite. My wife and I visited once and we both agree it was even more breathtaking than The Grand Canyon 😃
Some days you get a line up over the branch on the first throw and some days it goes a bit worse. The craziest thing I ever saw was a guy who set up his tent directly under his hanging bear bag (like his tent was a ramp) and wouldn't do anything about it after he was warned about how bad an idea it was. I've given some thought to bear cannisters over the years, but I don't think I'd put non-food items in one while hiking because then those things would start smelling like food if those items are in your tent afterwards.
Funny story! Thanks for sharing! That’s a good reminder. Anything that comes in contact with food during a trip in bear country should not be kept in the tent. 👍
Bear canisters are great for a few days. But if you are going to be out a week or more, then it's pretty much impossible to fit all your food in there; assuming you don't just fill the canister with peanut butter.
The new kevlar bags look promising, I've never used one before though.
Good points! Yeah, trips that long might require multiple canisters which could get pretty heavy and bulky. Alternatively, there is a Wild Ideas Bearikade model that they say is good for up to 12 days of food. I’ve been hearing about the advances in bear resistant bags but I don’t have experience with them either.
I always carry a bear canister. I do not want to see the bears gone from the sierras. The canisters are bulky and heavy but it is worth it to save the bears and other animals in the wild. I place all of my trash and other items in the canisters as I eat the food inside. I always carry the canister inside my pack because it gets very hot in the sun cooking your food.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m always glad to hear from someone that cares about the welfare of bears. They are amazing creatures and it’s tragic when they lose their lives because of careless hikers and campers. 😢
Great video, i watched one video on youtube over a year ago, wish i could think of the name of it, but a bear took a bear canister and run off. Bear got away with all the camper/canoe food. they had to go home. Myself i never hang food from a tree, find it a pain in the butt, 45 minutes later still looking for a good tree, or failed tosses, i normally just ziplock the hell out of the small amount of food i do take here in Ontario Canada and place it away from camp, dig a hole cover with a huge rock, i've never had my food taken. low bear area.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing that story. Another commenter mentioned inserting a Tile Tracker inside the canister when stashing it. The tracker has at least a 250 ft range, some even 400 ft. Might be enough to locate it if a bear manages to drag it off. I have had the same experience with hanging bear bags. Finding the right trees is challenge #1 and once you do it can take a while to get the hang right.
Very well done video. Thanks!
Thank you! I really appreciated it 😄
Problem is that some people left food for them or even feed them on popular camp sites
I know, frustrating!
In areas where bear canisters are not required, I personally use the Ursack. Simple reason: lighter and less bulky. The latest model of the "Ursack Almighty" has both a Spectra and a Kevlar layer to protect against both bears and critters, which are a far more common issue than bears. I am heavily influenced by the videos of Bear vs Ursack (spoiler alert: Ursack wins) and by the blogs of Andrew Skurka -- creator of the Wind River High Route and one of the most respected full-time guides out there.
Thanks for sharing your comments on Ursack! Personally, I don’t have any experience with them, but they seem like a popular option. 👍
I live in Montana where there is a healthy and growing Grizzly Bear population. They are now starting to appear in areas they haven't been seen in for almost 100 years. I personally would never leave my food on the ground like that in a bear canister so I hang my food in a water proof bag 50-100 yards away from my camp. In high elevation places it is hard to find good trees to hang food but I'd rather have a mouse or something get to my food (which has never happened despite many many subpar hangs at higher elevations) than have a Grizzly end up sticking around because they can at least easily get to the thing I'm keeping my food in.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Nice and concise video. I don't think there's a perfect answer for bear protection but I do agree the canisters reduce close encounters enough to be effective.
Thanks so much! I agree with you. No perfect solution. I suspect that canisters require less skill than hanging bear bags and that probably contributes to their effectiveness.
Great explanation. I haven't hiked in areas where bears are prevalent. But one point I hear about the bear bag / bear canister is that bears will avoid humans. If the bears can smell the food, they can smell YOU! Bears are now becoming unafraid of human smell. The folks who insist that bears will avoid humans are just naive.
Thanks so much! Yes, bears are becoming very comfortable around humans in some areas. This can make them seem less dangerous, but they are wild animals. Taking steps to properly handle our food protects both them and us 👍
I also almost always carry a bear can. However, when I hiked a 100 mile section of the PCT from Old Station to Castle Crags, every single thru-hiker I met slept with their food in their tent! Since so many people seemed to be doing that, and surviving, I sent my bear can home.
Yeah, some areas seem to be hot spots while other areas rarely report encounters. Personally, I would be inclined to keep my food away from my sleeping area, though. If a bear wandered through, maybe it would be more curious about a tent with food rather than mine 😜
Hmm maybe room for a product that would be more like a 2 day canister, small enough to take 2-3 of them, and made to fold down if opened and unlocked in some way.
I always stage my bear bag so the food for the last day is on the bottom, and each day has a bag within the bag. Toiletries on top. Seems like an area that could be improved for sure.
A product like that would be great! Thanks for sharing your ideas 😃