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JMT bear canister capacity question


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Home Forums General Forums General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion JMT bear canister capacity question

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  • #1262375
    Mike Gerty
    Member

    @michael-gerty

    Hi all, I'm planning a JMT thru-hike later this month and I have a bear canister question. I have a BearVault BV500 and am planning on 7 days from Muir Trail Ranch to Whitney Portal. I just tried to fit 6 days of food in the canister (my first day of food I can keep in my pack since it will be gone before going to sleep) but I'm unable to fit everything in the canister.

    I assume other people have had this problem before – what should I do? Thanks!

    #1638507
    Bob Bankhead
    BPL Member

    @wandering_bob

    Locale: Oregon, USA

    In order of increasing cost……..

    alternate 1: re-do your menu to reduce the bulk so it does fit.

    alternate 2: carry a 2nd smaller Beavault for the excess

    alternate 3: buy a larger canister (i.e. Bearikade Expedition = 9 days capacity) and sell the Bearvault.

    #1638510
    Brian Cripe
    Member

    @brian-cripe

    Locale: Midwest

    Option 4: (althought probably cheaper than option 2) Rent a Bearikade for that section of your trip. The rental rates are pretty good ($3 a day for the first couple of days, $2.50 a day afterwards).

    Also, look at the packaging on your food. If you are using prepackaged freeze-dried food, a lot of space can be saved by repacking into ziplock bags or something similar.

    #1638521
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    Yes, definitely look at your food packaging and eliminate bulky items. For example, the packaging for commercial freeze-dried meals is very bulky–repackage them in quart ziplock freezer bags. Consider taking couscous (a more compact and quicker cooking form of pasta) to replace noodles. Or take a rolling pin to your noodles to break them up into very small pieces.

    I have easily put 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners for 4 people in a BV500, so it is quite possible to squeeze a week's food in the thing.

    #1638526
    Chad Eagle
    Member

    @eaglesd

    Locale: SoCal

    I don't know if I am alone here, but I was able to fit 4 1/2 days food in the small bearvault for my upcomoing jmt.

    #1638558
    Hiking Malto
    BPL Member

    @gg-man

    If you can't get more efficient then hang the excess the first night. I bet at least half the JMT hiker do that after resupply and it is perfectly legal. I have done this on most of my longer trips.

    #1638559
    Charles Grier
    BPL Member

    @rincon

    Locale: Desert Southwest

    You can get ten days of food into a BV-500 if you pack for minimum volume per calorie rather than just trying to stuff a bunch of freeze dried stuff into the can. I am an old, slow hiker and spent ten days going from resupply at MTR to Whitey Portal. I was able to fit all of my food at 2800 cal per day into my BV-500. All it takes is a bit of planning and starting the trail with a bit of a reserve tank (eg pot belly).

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