Hello - does anyone have some information about renting a bear can for the JMT? I don’t want to spend $300 on a new one. It says on their website that you can rent a can and it costs $5 for ‘up to two weeks’. But my hike is 3 weeks… does that mean it just costs more? Obviously I can’t return it partway through the hike…
Anyone out there who dealt with this last year?
Thanks!
Sophie
Sophie
I rented one when I got to Yosemite, it was about $5 and I mailed in back when I was done which was over 3 weeks later. So you should be all set - I’m sure I could have kept it longer.
Enyjoy your trip!
Leif
Sound like Sophie is talking about the Bearikade (very expensive) and Leif is talking about the Garcia (much cheaper and heavier). Google them both and see the difference.
Doug
Great - thanks! I do know the Garcia is quite a bit heavier than the Bearikade. But, to spend $5, instead of $100 or $300, is at this point the best thing. If I were to buy one, I’d want to get the lighter (aka more expensive) one… might as well rent. Thank you though!
Sophie
Sophie
I played with the Garcia that some people rented last year and found that along with the weight they were very hard to load and did not offer nearly enough room inside for the amount of food needed from VVR to Whitney.
Bear Vault, (http://www.bearvault.com/)
offers a can that is 2lb 6oz, whereas the Bearikade is 1lb 15oz. and a bit smaller. If you are lucky you might be able to find a non grizzly version of the can that is even lighter. I picked one up last year for about $65.
Have an awsome trip.
Will.
Willie
Just a reminder, BearVaults (200 and 350) are still not allowed in the Rae Lakes area of Kings Canyon National Park: http://www.bearvault.com/bearvault_productnotices.php
Also see the SIBBG web site: http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/approvedcontainers.htm
I have a BearVault 300, so I emailed SIBBG a few weeks ago to see if they would be allowed this year in King’s Canyon. They said the restriction hadn’t changed, but to check back closer to my hike (August 1 start).
P.S. Hi, Sophie! Hope your planning is going well!
Jenny
I contacted Bear Valut regarding the restrictions in the Rea Lakes area and KCNP. They said that they are redesigning the 200 and 300 so it will be bear proof in these areas. They expect the new version to be on the market in June.
Jenny
I’m the Jenny that added the first post about BearVault. I did not post the second one.
Jenny #2 - did BearVault say if they would be offering something (upgrade, repair, etc) to the people with the older versions of those bear cans? If not, I’m stuck with an expensive bit of plastic I can’t use (it was bought specifically for travel through the Sierra on the JMT and PCT).
Jenny H.
My daughter and I did the trail a few years ago. I didn’t know that the canisters were required until we picked up our permit in the Valley. Allthat was available were thje “Garcias”. Yes they are heay and hard to arrange your food and when we left Vermillion we couldn’t get all of our food in them…but we made it anyway(we never saw a bear either)
Bill
Bill C
I am in the same situation as you Jenny. I contacted Bear Vault. (A copy of their email is below)
I noticed that REI now has the latest Bear Vault model. I am going to exchange the one I bought last year. However, I have yet to see that the park service has officially appeoved the new model.
----- Original Message -----
From: bearvault
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 4:11 PM
Subject: RE: Quick Question
Well you can do either of the following:
When you get your permit for the Rae Lakes area, we are working on a swap program with the permitting stations in this area so that if you have an earlier model you can just swap it out for the new one when you pick up your permit. We will make an announcement when we get this program sorted out later this month.
Or, you could swap your unit out with the retailer you bought it at
Or if you are not going to Rae Lakes then continue to use your current model.
Does this answer your questions?
Jamie
Mike O
Thanks, Mike O, for the good news! I’m glad BearVault is offering a swap - I really like their product, but I have to be able to use it in the Sierra! I’ll keep watching for more details…
Jenny H.