Ok, while we’re on the subject of avoiding bears on the JMT, what’s the story with bear canisters. I’ve never used one. What are the lightest brands? Cost? Are they a pain to use? How in the world does one cary one - inside the pack? Anything else I’m not thinking to ask?
Jan LiteShoe
This topic is always good for lots of controversy - especially amongst PCT thru hikers.
There are several options for canisters. The most commonly used are made by Garcia. These weigh (ugh!) almost three pounds and hold about 6 days worth of food. They are a pain to put in your pack, but will fit in most packs. They cost about $80, or can be rented directly in Yosemite when you get your permit. I think they cost $3 per day, plus you will have to mail it back when you complete your hike. So, if you are out for 3 weeks, you are almost just as well off to buy one.
Another company is Bearikade. They make lighter, but much more expensive canisters.
There is a new company that has canisters that are made from lexan, same as nalgene bottles. I don’t recall their name. They are a bit lighter than the Garcias, and cost about the same.
The lightest option is to use an ursack, which is a really strong bag that bears can not chew thru. You tie the ursack to a tree at night. This is much lighter (5 ounces) and is of course collapsible, so much more convenient to pack. Lots of thru hikers use these - but they go thru the Sierras early. And of course if you “stealth” camp, away from commonly used camps, and don’t cook at your camp, you can reduce your chances of a bear encounter.
You can get info on all of these at the respective company web sites (google for them). You can also get info from others at the PCT-L mailing list.
Bear caninsters are “required” in some areas along the JMT, like above 9600’ in Yosemite.
Also, be aware that there are some camps that have bear boxes. These are large metal boxes (like the size of a small refridgerator laid on its side) hauled into the backcoutry that can be closed up at night. If you stay at one of those places you can put you food and pack inside, and rest easy. These are most common in the southern part of the trail, near Glen and Forrester Passes. Importantly, there are also bear boxes at Sunrise Camp and Little Yosemite Valley in Yosemite, which is where many people will spend their first or second nights.
The majority of JMT hikers use the Garcia cans, and spend a few minutes every day cursing and moaning about the annoyance of carrying a canister. But, they work and you can use them for a camp chair! I once had a bear play hockey with my canister for hours. Although my canister was all muddy in the morning, and rolled 75 feet or so from where I placed it, the bear got nary a morsel.
Don Wilson
They cost a bit more, but weigh a little less than the standard Garcia Can. Canisters are a pain, if you don’t carry them, which is still legal, you limit yourself to camping in sights that have bear boxes installed. Those boxes are reserved for thru-hikers only everyone else is required to carry a canister. I would recommend useing one, the rangers will like you more and you’ll sleep better. 2.5-3lbs is a lot though and I wish there was a better way. :oh
Thinair
Well if Garcias cost $80 than the Bear Vault costs the same. You can get it at REI for that price. The difference is that it is see through, has more room in it, has a water tight lid, and a wider opening. Check them out at REI or the company website. Unfortunately Bearvault hasn’t recieved full approval from the park service, only conditional and that could be revoked at anytime. So buyer beware.
Thinair
Look at this site:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness/bfoodstorage.htm
Looks like it is cheaper to rent than I thought. They must have changed the policy, because it was a daily rental last time for me (in 2001).
Don Wilson
Hiked in the Mammoth Lake area, and a 60 mile loop in Yosemite recently.When we picked up our permits the ranger on duty told us we HAD to have a bear Cannister.He told us that it was a requirement now and, if caught without one it would be a fine.You can purchase one for 70 bucks but,rent one at the ranger station for 5 bucks.They are a pain to carry in your pack and adds a tad over 2 pounds.I use 2 different size packs,the larger cu in for the Sierra hiking(for the cannister),and lesser cu in for back east.My smaller pack will not accommodate the cannister.I’m sure you’ll get alot of responses on your question…pro and con.:boy
Bill Harris
I just wanted to rebutt the claims that bears cannot chew through ursacks. I heard from a district ranger that the reason the NPS doesn’t promote them is because bears can and indeed have gotten in them. Don’t lose your food over a marketing claim. 
Tha Wookie
This discussion topic is centered on the Western trails but how about the AT? Is it advisable to have a food cannister to keep the bears and other critters at bay?
Hmmm. I do like that double use of having a camp seat available but my other question is, does the cannister need to be hung or can I keep it with my stuff.
Skylander
Skylander
I don’t use my cannister on the AT because there are more trees to hang food from on the AT.Also it takes up alot of space in your pack.I use a ursack and hang it using the counter balance method.If you have a cannister, it’s a good idea to put reflective tape on the outside.That way after the bear finishes rolling,kicking and playing with it,it will be easier to find.:cheers
Bill Harris
If you study the rules and regs, you do not have to carry a canister if you fit into the following criteria: (Personally I will Carry a canister because I don’t want to limit where I can camp, nor do I want to anger any rangers, but for those who can’t justify the weight, the following might be helpful. I was once confronted by a ranger in Little Yos. Valley who about turned me back until I told him the law still allowed for counter ballance method. He got mad and lectured me, but couldn’t do anything to stop me from continuing on.) The following is the criteria:
Your a Thru-Hiker who is traveling through the Cannister regulated area.
You agree to camp in established sights that have Bear Boxes Installed near by and you will use them.
You camp under 9,600 ft when your planning on counter ballancing your food.
The following is the exact wording from the government website:
http://www.nps.gov/seki/snrm/wildlife/food_storage.htm
Parties traveling through the Rae Lakes area on trips not beginning or ending at Cedar Grove, Kearsarge Pass, Baxter Pass, or Sawmill Pass must either use SEKI-approved bear-resistant food storage containers or camp at sites with lockers.
Thinair
I only have one thing to say about those things, well maybe two or three. The only place you really need them is at Little Yosemite Valley cuz it’s a regular bear haunt, even then they have bear boxes. The bears don’t know how to open them but that’s ok, we do it for them. We open our cannisters, they bluff charge, we drop them and run, the bear eats. If overused campspots are avoided hanging food should be ok. Avoid the popular lakes near Tuolomne, Sunrise camp and Cathederal peak, they are notorious bear haunts. I wouldn’t use one next time I hike the JMT purely cuz I didn’t see the need for them last time, aside from the regualtions. I would suggest less experienced backpackers use them, as they might be less adept at doing the stealth thing.
Ross:cheers
Ross
lightest, and most expensive: Bearikades.
you can carry them in your pack, but creative packing becomes necessary. some folks strap them on top (using framed packs, obviously). they are a total PITA, but i have had my camp ravaged by bears (in Yosemite they are AWFUL, and not just in Little Yosemite Valley) and was glad the food was safely stored.
there are areas where you can be cited and escorted out if you cannot produce a canister. you can study the regulations of each agency carefully and try to figure out a way to skirt the rules. that may be possible. i don’t know, as counterbalancing is another PITA and determined bears have learned most of the counterbalancing tricks.
Ursack wants you to believe that their bag is just as effective as a hard-sided canister. maybe it is. but i’ve heard of more than one Ursack being torn through, whereas canister failures are always user-caused. and it’s not accepted in any of the areas where canisters are required.
interactive map of all bear boxes in the Sierra: http://www.climber.org/data/BearBoxes.html
when using a bear box, make sure that there are no bolt holes open on the bootom of the box. mice can and will crawl in and eat your food. place heavy rocks over any open bolt holes.
tips on maximizing the amount of food you can fit in your canister: http://www.pcta.org/planning/before_trip/health/canistercare.doc
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