The Bear Canister Challenge

[tlsharb]

Ska-T, the old Keltys had a bar that holds the top open in a ridgid manner (not sure if the new ones do). That's the problem....that bar makes for an 8" opening that has no "give". I could try removing the bar, then I'd have some flexibility.
ts

[rlown]

Can you post a picture of the bar and the opening? Is the bar welded to the frame or is it a fold-able piece that attaches to the frame with pins?

[mkbgdns]

have a Sonora,circa late 70's. have inserted both Bearikade Weekender and Bear Vault 500. unlike Tioga, Sonora has undivided compartment, but front panel access. your first picture shows the canister going in depth wide, diameter deep, uses entire perimeter of opening. try inserting with can length vertical, diameter x diameter into opening. may be able to distort opening to oval enough to insert can, and turn can sideways once past the bottleneck in the opening. works w Sonora. bar is foldable, attaches w pins

[rlown]

Those were my pictures (rlown.) I want to see a pic from tlsharb, maybe with a ruler or a tape measure showing what he is working with, and of course, the bar..

Mine fits fine in the Tioga.

[tlsharb]

How's this?
ttachment=2]image.jpg[/attachment]

image.jpg

image.jpg

[rlown]

Thanks. You're right about the 9" thing, but that bar in the back is bendable and looks bent in the first picture. I know I could fit my bearikade in that, when I straightened out the bars. If you need to and only if you want to, you can "bend" the outside bar (backside),get the can in and position at will.

[tlsharb]

Well, I'm going on an overnighter in a couple weeks into the Great Gulf Wilderness (up here in the Whites). I think I'll rent a Bearikade Weekender (only costs $22 with shipping), and see how it fits my packs. Thanks for all the input.
ts

[rlown]

I'm going to ask a strange off topic question: How are the zippers, straps, and hip belt on your '78 Kelty? Do you trust it, in other words?

[FeetFirst]

My son made this pack for hauling a full size canister. It's under 20oz dry, and actually carries really well with a 30lbs+ load. The top sack is maybe 35 liter, so it's for an ultralight type approach. We have only used it once so far.

I like how I can get food out without halfway unpacking my gear, and how pack fabric is not what hits the ground first when setting it down, or when scrambling/downclimbing.

Actually, I am so in favor of bear cans that I usually just bring one regardless of whether it's required. All my packs have to hold one horizontally. Vertical carry is imo not great.

Image 5-21-17 at 17.36 by jan nikolajsen, on Flickr

Awesome pack! I really like this setup. Any issues with a dense load being so low? My current pack feels best when a heavy can is positioned higher up, about level with my shoulders.

[nunatak]

I carried it for 7-8hrs on day one with 6 days of food (3 ppl/2 days) on 50/50 off trail terrain. It was no problem. That said, on most packs I've owned I carry the can near the bottom, perhaps just with some padding below to save the pack fabric.