Ratsack for Grand Canyon use

Valerie and David,

Those are both great ideas – thank you. After my first bad experience with large rodents on Mt Rainier, I went and bought some rectangular  kitchen tins like the cookie tins above only easier to put in a backpack without dead space.

The only issue I worry about now is how to secure the lid so mischievous rodents can’t open them. Tape or webbing straps won’t work – they’ll chew through those.

So I’m thinking of getting an old-fashioned metal kids lunchbox with metal hinges and latch. I even found one that is painted like a large Spam can! I’ll post again after I give this idea a thorough testing.

I have some stainless steel banding small like nylon zip ties. Not sure if it is reuseable. I’ll check I get home this afternoon.

“Plumbers tape” – that perforated metal strapping – would work with a small nut and bolt but be somewhat heavy (and ugly).

Yeah, an old-style kids lunch box has a latch and you could secure it further with a safety pin – some styles function as a hasp.

Super-small SS wire rope?  Like for a fishing down rigger.  Use crimp connectors to form eyes the right distance apart.

Not as nice, but cheap is the stranded steel wire sold to hang heavy framed pictures.

Love the giant SPAM can (extra points – always – for humour).

I’ve never had problems with critters opening the tin.  I use the popcorn tubs, and the lid sort of “clicks” on/off.  I suppose a dexterous raccoon could figure out how to open one, but the mice/rats don’t seem to understand lids.  So far, even the evil genius ravens haven’t opened the tub.

You could always put the thing upside down, then put some good-sized rocks on top.  That would likely prevent any adverse incidents.

Make your own metal clamp.

Some have used holiday time popcorn tins for this. The size is more comparable to bear containers.