Bear Canister Rental on JMT

What bear canister models are they renting?

Check out the Bearikade model from Wild Ideas. The canister is lighter and larger then the ones rented on the JMT. Good luck

Not an especially simple process, although you can mail it back to Yosemite when done:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bearcanrentals.htm

As noted, a Bearikade rental is the lightweight option, although it's a good deal more expensive than getting a Garcia through the NPS.

It's quite possible that buying a Bearikade, using it for your JMT hike and selling it afterwards is a wash or perhaps even cheaper than renting one.

hey Guys,
good call, looks like it is cheaper to just buy a BearVault and then sell it after. As for the Bearicade, it is def lighter, but way too rich for my lood in the event I have trouble selling it after.

Think about how many times you are apt to use it before buying based solely on price. If you'll only make the one trip, then price is a significant factor and you're better off renting. If however you are apt to keep returning to hike the Sierras (or other areas where bear cans are, or may soon be, required) in future years, then it quickly becomes cheaper to own than to rent, and you can justify higher cost of the Bearikade.

Hey- I would say spend the extra cash and get the Bearikade. Why sell it? You can use is it for years to come-lightweight, larger then most canisters. Over the years you will save $$$$$$ on the used, baged up rental canisters.. Quailty over quanity. I purchaes mine in 2005 and have used many, many times since then. My 3 cents!

hey Guys,
thanks for the feedback. I live in New England which is not prime bear territory. And the ones that we do have are far and few between. One time deal going out to Cali so the buy/sell option is looking good.

Was it mentioned that Bearikade has a rental program also? Check them out on-line. It's what most of the rangers carry (probably at their own expense).

Scott

I don't know about buying an expensive ($200) canister for the long term. I would think/hope that we would have some significant advancements in technology and weight within the next few years, given the ursack possibility and other possibilities with carbon fiber coming down in price.

hey Scott,
good suggestion, I checked that one out too and for the amount of time I need it for, it is almost as much as buying a BearVault.

I remember reading a comment from one of the Berikade/Wild Ideas people (Allen DeForrest?) that he didn't expect to be able to make any significant weight reductions to the Berikades. Given that SIBBG seems very reluctant to approve non-hard-canister devices (Ursack, Palisade EST), I wouldn't be surprised if the Berikade continues to be the lightest-weight SIBBG-approved option for awhile.
As for the cost of materials going down, I've also heard that Wild Ideas is considering doing only rentals and not sales–apparently material costs are increasing, and not everyone is willing to spend $200+ on a bear canister.

You can rent a canister from Wild ideas for $55.00. I no longer remember the details but you need to type in "JMT Thru"
somewhere on the online rental form. Just email them about it.
You can rent a Garcia for $5.00 at the permit office. It weighs 2.7 lbs and you can send it back via any post office. There is a post office in Lone pine. But if you cant get there for some reason, like me since it was closed, you have a long time to send it back before they charge you.

What's the going rate for getting caught with an Ursack?

Up to $5,000.00?

"Please note that these food storage regulations have the force and effect of federal law: Failure to store your food properly may result in impoundment of your food or car and/or a fine of up to $5,000 and/or revocation of your camping permit."

Here are the exact words from the Yosemite site.

That's just silly. Of all the things to waste effort on.

Last time I was in the Sierra I hiked with a ranger for a bit and asked him about this…

Me: What happens if you caught me without a cannister?
Him: I'd tell you to turn around.
Me: And if I refused?
Him: I'd cite you.
Me: And if I refused to give personal information to cite me?
Him: You're required by law to give your name and identification to a ranger.
Me: And if I told you my name is Huckleberry Finn and I live on the Mississippi or said I didn't have any?
Him: I wouldn't argue or try to stop you- it's not worth it. I'd put out a description and we'd hope to catch you at an exit trailhead, which is nearly impossible to do with thru-hikers.

It is my understanding that not having a cannister is an expensive fine.

I asked the same thing about being caught without a permit and the conversation went about the same. He said no permit is only $75 :)

In that case, the Bearikade weekender doesn't look that bad at $155 per ounce after purchase price.

Anyone ever make their own? Would they be allowed on the JMT?

I'm thinking large diameter PVC tubing might be suitable. Kind of like the p%%p tubes carried by big wall climbers?

Not allowed

I did a partial JMT from Happy Isles to Red's Meadows last summer. Right before we left a woman and her son from my hiking club decided to join in for a partial of my partial. She sat and listened to the ranger just like we did but it did not sink in I guess. She did not store her food properly and most of it was eaten by a bear at Cloud's Rest trail junction on the JMT.

Rent the Garcia for $5 and return it in Lone Pine at the Visitor's Center.