Bear Canisters

[ccockrell]

I've found just tying the bear canister on top of my pack, get's me thru the day. It's easily accessible for a seat, handy for packing stuff I want to be water proof and at the end of the day, easy to hang from bear ropes/chains/etc.,. Also, at a campfire, before hanging. a great drum. Go figure!

[yellowcanoe]

we found that the Counter Assault bear canister is far from waterproof.

http://www.rei.com/product/709075

[cburnett]

thanks for replying to my question about regulations along NP.

New question. does anyone have experience with an Ursack along the NP? Thoughts regarding critters / bears?

casey

[rbi99]

Both of my Ursack bags were ripped open at Lake Colden a couple of years ago. They were the redesigned bags specifically because of failures of earlier models near Lake Colden. Another issue I had with them is that they simply don't hold much. It's nice that they pack up small when empty, but that is about it. My bags came with an inner plastic bag that was suppose to help prevent odors. I don't know if that inner bag has been redesigned, but I found them quite flimsy and was always afraid of cutting it. The inner bag also reduced further the amount you could put in the Ursack because you had to be able to seal it up, then seal up the outer bag. A pissed off bear that starts pulling on that bad boy will smash the heck out of the contents. If you tie the wrong kind of knot you will pay heck to untie it later on if a bear gave it a few good tugs.

[DSettahr]

The Ursack Bags I believe are not allowed in the Eastern High Peaks during bear canister season.

However, the NPT does not run through the Eastern High Peaks, so the Ursack Bags certainly are an option while on that trail.

However, I maintain that the best defense against bears and animals getting into your food is a properly hung bear bag. 15 feet off the ground, 5 feet from the tree, and you're set. I've spent probably close to a hundred nights in various locations on or near the NPT and never had an issue. I don't use an Ursack or bear canister, just properly store my food at night. (*knocks on wood )

[viewseeker]

All good info as I start to plan my trip this year.. I will most likely use my Garcia canister. Someone mentioned the bearvault, reading so much about them all being broken into i would not buy one, but I guess they are useful in parts other than the High Peaks where Yellow-Yellow resides..

[Holdstrong]

Ive used an Ursack on all of my NPT adventures. No problems yet.

It is definitely not something I could consider bomb proof though, as evidenced by reports of its failures- in fact I think they even market them as Bear "resistant" - but it has done the job for me when I am not in the Eastern High Peaks.

Hanging a bear bag at the end of a long day is second only to pumping water in terms of things I least look forward to doing.