Bear Cannisters

[fknsellers]

Hey everyone,

Well I think it's about time for me to stop borrowing or renting bear cannisters and get off my butt and buy one for myself. I figure that even when I'm not hiking in the Sierra's, or any other bear country for that matter, it will just add that extra insurance that my breakfast will still be there when I wake up no matter what critters are lurking around.

So, I was hoping to get some advice on the few different bear cannisters around. The only one that I have had the fortune of using is the "Garcia Bear-Resistant container". It seemed to work fine for me for up to four nights and I'm sure I could stretch it to five with a little re-organizing. My concern is that I've only had a chance to use it in Spring/Summer and I don't know how well it fares in heavy rain (or falling in a stream).

The other two that I've seen are the "Counter Assault Bear Keg" which pretty much looks like a slightly larger yellow version of the Garcia cannister, and the "BearVault" which looks to have a couple of nicer features like being able to strap it easily to the outside of your pack, and having an "easier" wide mouth screw top lid. Now I saw the BearVault at REI before I went to the Grand Canyon in March and I'll be darned if it didn't take me, my buddy, and eventually an employee a solid ten minutes to budge the thing open. This easier "no tool" lid didn't seem to be so easy. Or maybe it was just because it was the display model.

Anyway, if anyone has insight on these cannisters, or others, I would be very happpy to hear back from you.

Thanks,

Michael

[Outfitter]

Hi Michael!

You may want to check out BearVault's (www.bearvault.com). They make a canister that is lexan (so you can see your food) and has recently received approval for Grizzlys.

The lids are also much easier to remove than the Garcia's or similar models (no tools required) and they're also lighter.

Be advised that there are 4 versions now floating around out there. If you're looking at them at all, you'll want to make sure you get the newest version (BV300) as this is Grizzly/Brown Bear approved.

Check out BearVault's web site for more info etc. but here's a basic rundown for you.

BV100 - The first version. Function, good for black bears only but had some issues with the lid closing correctly.

BV200 - Same as BV100 but with improved lid.

BV250 - *NEW* Smaller version for solo trips. 1lb 14oz. Unlike the BV200, this one is Grizzly/Brown Bear approved.

BV300 - *NEW* Same size as BV100/200 but is Grizzly/Brown Bear approved.

They normally retail for $79.99 but I believe we actually have them on sale right now for $70. Otherwise, you can certainly find plenty of reputable shops by Googling or referring to it from Bearvault's site.

Hope this helps!

[GreatDivide14]

I've had great success with my BearVault and heartily recommend it. I snagged mine on the cheap at the ranger station at Whitney Portal in California, where they're basically giving them away (ok, fifty bucks apiece) purely for the bears' benefit. To open the lid, it's important to follow the directions-- pin the bottom of the cannister in place with your feet, place the palms of your hands on the top of the lid, press down, and turn. It's cake-- now I think it's a huge pain to dig out my Leatherman to open a Garcia. I know nothing about the different models-- I don't think there was more than one when I got mine-- but clearly, other people do. I think it's the best one out there.

[fknsellers]

Thank you both for your input.

Well I'm glad to hear some solid positive support for the BearVault. I was reading some reviews and found out that the company seems to be excellent in keeping their customers up to date of any changes to better their product, as well as giving their customers free "upgrades" to their products, like new lids for those that purchased the BV 100 and a thread lubricant when they found that people were having trouble with opening and closing the lids. That's what I call customer service.

Great Divide, was it at the Whitney ranger station in Lone pine or at the Whitney Portal store that you purchased the BearVault? Fifty bucks is a great price if it was the BV 300 model. By the way, does anyone know what characteristic makes the BV 300 additionally resistant to grizzlies that the 200 didn't have?

Thanks again and any other input would be great!

Michael

[Greyhound]

This is a good comparison I found:
http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Bear_Vault.html

[bearpaw]

I have some experience with the bear keg from counter assualt. It is a dang boat anchor. They also sell for around 70 bucks... wholesale was over 30.
D

[GreatDivide14]

I got it at the store at Whitney Portal. That was last year, back in the stone age when the BV 100 was the end of it. I don't know what they have there now; might be worth calling. Also, I second the request for info on why mine isn't grizz-rated. Dagnabbit, I don't want to buy another one.

[fknsellers]

So I think that the BV 300 seems to be the cannister to buy, although someone did turn me on to the Bearikade,

http://www.wild-ideas.net/products.html

But who really has $225 to spend on a carbon fiber/aluminum bear cannister? Well I wish I did.

Anyway, if I find out why the grizzlies dislike the BV 300 more so than the BV 200 I'll be sure to let you all know!

Michael

[fknsellers]

So I just heard back from BearVault and this was their answer to the Grizzly difference:

"we redesigned the lid; it has an inner lip which support the opening better than the old design; this allowed us to pass the Grizzly test."

Sounds like it is the same container. So I guess it would be worth asking if this "new " lid can be substituted on the BV200 to make it Grizzly proof.

[fknsellers]

Sorry greatdivide, i heard from BearVault again and it looks like they revamped the lid as well as the threads which somehow makes it grizzly proof. No upgrades to make the BV200 grizz-proof. Sorry. Hope you don't run into any grizzlies yourself.

Michael