Packing a bear canister can be quite troublesome. I like to refer to it as putting together a puzzle, though you will be snacking on this puzzle over the duration of your backpack trip… So it is a good idea to organize that puzzle of food, so you don’t have to go digging to find the specific meal, or treat you’re looking for.
I have scoured the internet for ways others have been packing their canisters. Below are some simple tricks, and Ideas that will help you organize your canister, for easy accessibility. As well as added storage space for more food and/or other items.
Along with that, we all know trying to carry a bear canister can be a complex process. The shape of a Bear can isn’t the best to carry. Though there are ways it can be done simply, and conveniently. This topic is one I have wanted to learn more about, as well as been curious about how other backpackers have chosen to carry their canisters. So I did some extensive digging on the topic, and have come across a few different techniques being used. Along with canister carry bags maybe otherwise called pouches that easily attach to any backpack.
Whether you are looking to buy a bear canister, or you are interested to know more about how to use your canister? Continue on, this is for you!
What Needs To Go Inside Your Bear Proof Canister
Anything that gives off a scent, you are going to want to put it in your bear canister. For example items such as Food (clearly), Deodorant (Hygiene products), toiletries, chapstick, Toothpaste…etc. Use your best judgment. If you are unable to fit everything into your canister. At least put all of your food in it along with your strongest scented items. Food is probably the number one thing that must go in the can. Next your Deodorant (Hygiene Products), & Toiletries. Ideally, you should use as many Unscented products on your trip as you can.
For instance, Instead of taking “Old Spice Classic” Deodorant With you, Id recommend you take “Speed Stick Solid Unscented” or any Unscented Deodorant (really doesn’t matter the brand). Given deodorant is a product you will wear, best not take the chance of a bear sniffing you out… For the lady’s, same goes for perfumes, shampoo, conditioners… Don’t use any highly scented Hair shampoo, or conditioner products a few days before and during your trip. Rather use a very lightly scented, preferably Unscented Shampoo & Conditioner. Try to keep the odorous products you use a few days before and during your trip to a minimum when planning to head out into the backcountry.
It can be quite a nuisance when in the middle of hiking up a steep ascent, to have to go Digging through your pack, and next, your canister, in search of the snacks you packed previously. Rather at the start of your hike, put a bunch of snacks, treats, bars, and candy in your side, and waist belt pockets. This way you have easy access to anything you may need for a boost in energy. But remember, if you set down your pack, or you have reached your destination for the day, ready to settle in for the night. Put all your snacks and treats back in the Bear proof canister. You Defiantly will not want to forget about this. Nothing will remind you better than when a bear comes along ripping into your tent in search of the “Sour Patch Kids” you left in the side pocket of your pack.
How To Pack Food In A Bear Canister
First, you will need to repackage all your food that has come in large, or boxed, rigged packaging. Some items such as bars, single pack crackers, pop tarts… will be fine. However, items such as Instant rice (Comes in a box) Should be repackaged into a Ziploc bag or equivalent.
you will be packing you canister as it lays on its side. This will make the process of packing much easier. As your food, and other items won’t tip over in the process of packing. For example: if you haven’t got your canister on its side you will be fighting your items trying to keep them from falling over. Kind of like when stacking books on a shelve. I’m sure you have experienced as have I, the troubles the last book or two will give you if you have nothing to keep those books from falling over… Same kind of concept when trying to pack a canister. Though a bear canister you can simply set on its side, and this solves the problem!
Take all your repackaged items. This will likely be your main meals, such as rolled oats, cream of wheat, rice, powdered milk… That you have Already repackaged into plastic Ziploc bags or something equivalent. Be sure to let all the air out of each bag, and roll each bag up, compacting the excess bag, and creating a burrito like shape.
Next, you will begin to pack each meal, one at a time into the canister. Remember your canister should be tipped on its side, so you can easily pack it without your items tipping over.
For all you Visual learners. Check out this video by “WildernesReloaded”
How Much Food Will Fit In A Bear Canister
In a bear canister, The average estimated cubic inches that will be used per person, per day in food is 100 cubic inches (per day). It has also been said that a person will eat 1.5 to 2 pounds of food per day. Depending on whether you want to go by volume or weight. Though weight is tougher to judge. Given a canister doesn’t have a max weight it can hold, and different foods can way much more than others… Though all canisters do have a maximum of space available inside (Typically measured in cubic inches).
This is especially important when selecting your bear-proof can. Because, depending on the average number of days you typically go backpacking or camping for, should determine the size of canister you get.
For example, the BearVault BV500 is 700 Cubic inches. It is estimated to hold seven days of food for one person. Taking what was stated above, that is 100 cubic inches per day. So if you plan to do 7 days of packing or less the canister will work well for you, but only you if you’re going for seven days. However, if you likely won’t be going more then 5 days your self? I’d suggest you go with a smaller canister.
The above-listed ways to estimate how much food will fit in a canister, are exactly that Estimates. It can easily vary based on the food you take, and the packaging you use for that food. Id assumes that the above metrics are quite accurate as long as you are using slim packaging (preferably Ziploc bags). And you organize your food properly inside the canister.
How To Carry A Bear Canister With You On The Trail
If you don’t know already, Trying to carry a bear canister can be one of the more troublesome items to carry with you. because of its shape, size, and overall weight, it can be quite a chore to carry with you… Below are some ideas that could make this task easier for you.
You will likely want to carry it on, or in your pack. However, depending on whether your traveling with a group, With your significant other, or by your self? Different techniques can be employed to make carrying the canister easier.
- By your Self: Also, another option, kind of like the previous though you don’t need to remove your food. See if there is a Carry Case for your specific canister if so Get It! This is probably the best way to carry a canister. Its simple, Easy to carry, Easily accessible, Easy to Mount to your pack…
I Believe this is likely the best method to carry a canister, at least if you’re going by your self, or just looking to carry your own food. And depending on your pack, You could mount the canister wherever you’d like. Plus this is a much more secure way of carrying a canister, vs simply trying to strap a bare Bear canister to your pack. A bare Bear canister will likely fall / slide out of your straps quite easily.
- By your Self: I have heard of backpackers Taking all their food out of their canister at the start of the day, and placing all of it in their pack. They then clip their empty canister to his / her backpack and off they go… When comes the end of the day when they have reached camp, they’ll empty all the food out of their pack, and replace it back into the canister for the night.
This to me sounds like a great idea because you are placing all of your food weight inside the pack, likely in a spot where the weight will least affect your hiking, energy, and back. Whereas by mounting your canister to your pack, you likely will feel a greater effect from that weight since it is further away from your core body. You could place the canister inside your pack, but unless you have a large pack, with a rigged back plate. You likely will feel the shape of the canister on your back, which can get quite annoying hiking all day like that.
- Husband & Wife (Couples): If you and your husband / wife are going out on a 5-day backpacking trip (For example). One of you could carry the canister (Inside a Harness) with each of your food supply, along with any other items that will strap to the harness. And the other carries the rest the equipment: Clothing, sleeping bags, tent… Obviously, you would divide the equipment as best as possible.
- Group: Like the Husband & Wife Canister carry method, have one guy per every 3 people in your group carry their food, including his. and disperse his equipment between those 2 other people. You could each take turns carrying the food. Again obviously, modify the carry scenario to make it as even as you’d like.
In ending, there are likely many other different ways to pack and carry your canister that has not been listed above. Like many things you can do, there are likely many different ways to do them “there is not one right way”. I suggest you do what works best for you. I hope you were able to gain some value from this!
Feel Free to give any of these tips, and ideas a try, and be sure to leave how it went in the comments below, I’ll be happy to hear how it goes good or bad!