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 Backpackers Cache Bear Resistant Container - - BLACK By: Backpacker's Cache Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 7 More Information Its a bear can...  On: 2010-06-09Its black, its plastic, it holds food, its easy to open compared to the Bear Vault, it makes a great seat, drops into a backpack nicely, ropes to a backpack nicely. Great container  On: 2009-11-04I recently was making a trip out to California to Climb Mt. Whitney and we were required to have a bear container in this area. So i went down to the local REI to see what they had available in this department. They had a pretty small selection as this isnt as big of an issue in Colorado. And I wasnt very fond of any of the ones they had there anyways. So I did a little searching online and this one was recommended by quite a few people. This turned out to be the best option for me all things considered. My only issue with this is that it is just a hair to big for some smaller packs. I purchased, and recommend getting the carry case for it unless you have a fairly large pack. Otherwise this will take up a lot of room or worse, may not even fit. Tried and proven On: 2009-08-31I bought this bear box because I had rented it before in Yosemite, and liked it a lot. It has tons of space inside - one can easily use it for a 3-trip for 2 people, even. One Less Concern On: 2009-08-29It stores just a little more than I expected; fits easily in my pack; holds snug to trees overnight; a great stool; locks securely; and easily opens with a coin or zipper. But like others have said, flip it upside down if it rains, or loads of water will seep in. Great design On: 2009-07-26This is a very well designed, well made bear canister which will protect your food from bears, squirrels, and all other animals. Ive had this canister for several years and used it on many trips without any problems. This is the same canister used in the Yosemite National Park canister rental program. It can be hard to sleep in the backcountry but its easier when you know your food is away from your tent and safe. It weighs a couple ounces more than some other products, but I think the extra weight is worth the top quality and bomb proof construction. Better than others On: 2009-07-10We went in the adirondacks High peaks region with this canister. We learned that this is the canister that they recommend to use, the ranger told us that bears in the high peaks region have learned to break into other types of canisters, this canister however still is bear proof. Not Just for Bears On: 2008-03-12Ive used bear canisters for hiking since the early 1990s. Indeed, in the summer of 1990, I was one of several hikers who volunteered to use them in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks to help the Park Service decide if they were useful. I was so impressed I immediately purchased one, and recently my father got one as well. The Park Service, for its part, mandates their use in Yosemite and Sequoia, but these are recommended anywhere there is a sizable black bear population. Garcia was the first of the canisters and is still the most popular. The new model, with the bowed out middle can hold almost 6 days worth of (dehydrated) food. My older model holds more like 5, but fits better in a pack. The top is clasped tight by two locks which can be easily opened with a small coin like a dime or a penny, but not a fingernail, or claw. The one downside is that it is a little unwieldy in an exterior frame pack, especially the newer model. You may want to purchase the carrying case that attaches easily to a pack. Of course, the main purpose of these canisters is to keep bears from your food. And they do a decent job of that. Indeed, in my experience bear encounters in the back country have declined as canisters have become popular. But any experienced hiker will tell you that bears are the least of your food supply problems. Squirrels, porcupines, and any number of smaller rodents are also food thieves. My best guess is that my Garcia canister has done far more to protect my food from these denizens of the woods than it has kept the bears away. Of course, keeping animals from your food in the long run does them a favor as well. All in all, this is a useful, and increasingly required, piece of backpacking gear. Get it and hit the trails. |