Bear-proof Canisters

[CatskillsRunner]

Hi guys,

I am taking a month-long trip west this summer and will spend the bulk of it in central and northern Montana. I plan on putting padlocks on our Canyon Cooler but haven't seen much in the way of large containers. I am assuming that rocket boxes are not Bear proof.

I am driving and will camp the whole way out, so I need something that will work from the t4r and the raft. I think the longest trip will be 4 nights on the river so this container needs to be bigger than the ones I've seen online.

Any suggestions, please let me know!

 

[USKTog]

Hi guys,

I am taking a month-long trip west this summer and will spend the bulk of it in central and northern Montana. I plan on putting padlocks on our Canyon Cooler but haven't seen much in the way of large containers. I am assuming that rocket boxes are not Bear proof.

I am driving and will camp the whole way out, so I need something that will work from the t4r and the raft. I think the longest trip will be 4 nights on the river so this container needs to be bigger than the ones I've seen online.

Any suggestions, please let me know!

Here are two from REI:

BearVault BV500

Counter-Assault Bear Keg

 

[volkinator]

Here are two from REI:

BearVault BV500

Counter-Assault Bear Keg

I've used both of these on backpacking trips. They hold a surprising amount as long as you plan ahead for it. Biggest thing is remove as much of the packaging or repack as much of your food as possible. Even the vacuum sealed MH meals don't fit well, and if you take them out and put them in ziplocks they fit a LOT better.

We used the blue one for a 4 day backpacking trip and had all our food in it including snacks that we would pull out for each day.

Also, makes for a good location for any food related garbage if you can push it to the bottom.

Also, the blue one fits perfectly inside the bottom of a GoLite Jam 50 pack!

 

[MtnT4R]

Sounds like a fun trip! Wish I could take a month off work....

Here's a bigger container for the car camping and raft:
Large Bearproof Food Storage Container For Camping & Outdoor Use


In addition to the containers, its a good idea to make a separate chow area with its own fire pit(if you cook that way) pretty far removed from your main sitting/sleeping area. If you eat in camp and drop any food on the ground you'll get all sorts of animals rummaging through your stuff. Or bears looking for the bacon grease that missed the skillet.

 

[CatskillsRunner]

Sounds like a fun trip! Wish I could take a month off work....

Here's a bigger container for the car camping and raft:
Large Bearproof Food Storage Container For Camping & Outdoor Use


In addition to the containers, its a good idea to make a separate chow area with its own fire pit(if you cook that way) pretty far removed from your main sitting/sleeping area. If you eat in camp and drop any food on the ground you'll get all sorts of animals rummaging through your stuff. Or bears looking for the bacon grease that missed the skillet.

Yep, I'm pretty excited. And that's what my husband says...he wishes he could take a month off too! I'm pretty fortunate as a teacher. I'm driving out and back by my lonesome and picking him up in Billings to do the river trips.

Since we'll be on rivers, we can wash our dishes, etc., and do other preventative things. We always use a stove for cooking. But I've gotten really used to doing multi day trips and taking everything but the kitchen sink, because in a raft you can, and all I was seeing was those backpacking-sized bear cannisters, which are expensive and prohibitively small. I like this one you've found and I've been looking for awhile. So thanks!!!

 

[MStudt]

BearVault is the best thing we're used. A few years ago we used one while hiking the Teton Crest Trail, and through Yellowston. My only compliant as that the lip can start sticking after a lot of use. We used a little Vaseline to keep it moving freely.

Have fun. Tons of good hiking and camping in that area. We're about 18 months behind you. We'll be leaving to travel the country for 1-2 years. Be sure to post up pictures to help remind me how must I miss the trail.

Enjoy!