Bear Canister

[kurtteej]

I'm going to be heading up to the high peaks area the weekend of Sept 15-18th. I'll be backpacking in the area. I'm considering a bear canister. What do you guys think? REI has one for about $66. Personally I think its a good idea.

KT

[adkdremn]

It's now mandatory to use a canister in the High Peaks. I used one for the first time earlier this summer and it was great. Easy to use and no bear incidents. If you don't want to buy one you can rent one at the Adirondak Loj or the Mountaineer for around $5 a day.

[Rik]

Kurt,
I don't own one so can't comment on specific models but if you are planning to camp in the Eastern High Peaks it is a rule to carry one. Do a search and you will find threads about it.

[redhawk]

I'm sure Kevin or fvrwld will chime in. If I'm not mistaken they have had both of the different ones and do prefer one over the other.

[Dick]

I'm sure Kevin or fvrwld will chime in. If I'm not mistaken they have had both of the different ones and do prefer one over the other.

Well, I'm not Val or Kevin, but I have used the Garcia and the BearVault, and have owned a BearVault for a couple of years. I prefer it because it is easier to pack, transparent, lighter, slightly larger, and makes a nice seat. You can find details and comparisons between the two here:

http://www.bearvault.com/

One downside of the BearVault is that it is necessary to keep the thread free of dirt or it sticks. Also can stick when water gets in it when freezing.

Dick

[percious]

I recently sold my Garcia and bought a Bear Vault. Lighter weight, higher capacity. It's a no brainer.

-percious

[Dick]

By the way:

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/enb2005/20050817/not5.html

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/propregs/part190sect13text.html

(thanks to Pete Hickey for posting this on VFTT)

[kurtteej]

danke -- i ordered the Vault.

[five_head]

FYI
The Wooden Ski and Wheel in Plattsburgh also rents bear canisters.

[Kevin]

danke -- i ordered the Vault.

Good call (since the Garcia alternative weighs more and holds less, it's the ONLY call lol).

Myself and fvrwld both have the bearvault model (hers is the newer model). They are very good cans. However, it's obvious that they only cost $5 to make. SOMEONE (and most importantly that someone is NOT ME) is making a killing on the sale of these damn cannisters.

[kurtteej]

LOL -- that's the american way.

They do say on their website that they're 'hand molded', which in the US can be VERY expensive {sarcasm}. That's their way of explaining the screw on issues.

[Judgeh]

Bear Vault is my preference (and I also own a Garcia). Just returned from hanging out in the Colden Lake area from August 22 thru this morning. As of August 24, we are required to carry one in the high peaks.The rangers will provide a loaner if you show up sans, for a limited time only. Thereafter you will face eviction and possible fine.

On the other hand, campers and rangers alike report bear activity at Colden/Flowed Lands is down substantially for the past two weeks. Met the ranger responsible for shooting bruins w/rubber pellets. He says the bears flee at the mere sound of his voice. (He must be related to Redhawk! ) Also, there is increasing evidence that bears are returning to their natural diet of berries. I saw none myself, but the rangers thought they could pursue a couple of radio tagged bears in Flowed Lands Tuesday evening.

Just thought you guys would like to know.

[Peebut]

I rented one from EMS in Placid. $5 for the whole trip. (NPT) Not a bad price. Not sure what brand is was but I liked the entry design. It was easy to use, simply turn a screw head half a turn and its open. I just carried a quarter.

[Judgeh]

I rented one from EMS in Placid. $5 for the whole trip. (NPT) Not a bad price. Not sure what brand is was but I liked the entry design. It was easy to use, simply turn a screw head half a turn and its open. I just carried a quarter.

Sounds like you rented a Garcia. Black plastic w/2 screws to turn? It's the kind the rangers are loaning at Lake Colden. They do the job.

The reasons I like the Bear Vault is that it has a larger opening and is easier to pack, it weighs less than the Garcia, it's transparent so one can see what's inside and you can open it merely by unscrewing the lid...no quarters needed.

[Peebut]

For me it was a matter of simple economics. $5 for for the trip. Hell, I wasn't the one carring it... until he quit on me. The bigger opening would have been nice. By the end I had tons of stuff in there stove, mug, soap, tp.
Since I did it with a Jam Pack space was a serious issue. But it carried the weight well and everything fit.