Mt Whitney Zone
Posted By: aif87 Bear Canisters - 07/07/20 01:06 AM
Hello all -

Has anyone heard if the visitor center is renting out bear canisters? Thanks!
Posted By: Goose Re: Bear Canisters - 07/07/20 03:10 AM
I do not know about the visitor center, but I was in Elevation (the gear store in Lone Pine) yesterday and they had plenty of rental canisters available.
Posted By: aif87 Re: Bear Canisters - 07/07/20 03:48 AM
Perfect! Thanks for the info!
Posted By: chtrich Re: Bear Canisters - 07/10/20 10:04 PM
Do you need a bear canister if you're doing a day hike?
Posted By: Big Pine Re: Bear Canisters - 07/10/20 10:07 PM
Originally Posted by chtrich
Do you need a bear canister if you're doing a day hike?
No.
Posted By: Deke Re: Bear Canisters - 07/13/20 11:27 PM
Does anyone know the size of a standard bear can that they allow you to rent? I fear I may not have enough room in my 40l pack. Are there any alternatives to this method? We plan to camp by consultation lake and leave our packs to summit the next day. I understand the importance of securing our food but thought I'd ask as this forum has been so helpful in the past. River plate rules.
Posted By: bobpickering Re: Bear Canisters - 07/14/20 03:22 AM
They used to rent the old Garcia canisters. Mine is 12” high and 8-3/8” in diameter. I have a newer Bear Vault, and it’s about the same size. My 60L pack is pretty full with a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, canister, and all the other stuff.
Posted By: Team Dirty Boots Re: Bear Canisters - 07/16/20 11:27 PM
We got our permit today and it states on there that a bear cannister is required. We are only doing the day hike. I thought it wasn't needed for the day hike. We're confused.
Posted By: Steve C Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 12:01 AM
Are you sure it's a DAY hike permit?
Are the regulations you are reading for both day hikes and overnight?
Send me a picture, or copy/paste the text...

I am >100% sure day hikers do not need bear canisters.
Posted By: Team Dirty Boots Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 12:19 AM
I just sent you a Pic in an email.
Posted By: Steve C Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 04:06 AM
I see it. I am sure it is a mistake. I'll try calling, but we all know how much trouble that can be.

Edit: I called the Wilderness Permit number, talked to the person, they said day hikers are NOT required to carry the bear canisters, but that requirement is printed on the permit. You can ignore it. ...I imagine you are getting the same permit form that all permits are getting, and the majority are for overnight hikers. So they haven't gone to the trouble of creating two forms.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Bob West Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 02:28 PM
I have been using the Ursack White in Inyo National Forest for over ten years, with no bears able to get into it. Ursack.com. Legal in most areas, but not legal yet in Seki or Yosemite. The Ursack website has a map showing approved areas.

The Ursack MUST be used according to the manufacturer's instructions: the tie knot must be secured correctly. Only the "White" models are bear resistant.

The permits require "bear resistant" containers. No containers are absolutely bear proof if not used properly.

Don't store fresh fruit in them, because the bears tend to jump up and down on the Ursack trying to break in...
Posted By: Steve C Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 03:37 PM
See my edit on the post with the picture above.

Bob: Do you have personal experience with fruit in your Ursack? grin
Posted By: Bob West Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 04:42 PM
No, but I read years ago of a lady who stored an apple in her Ursack and ended up with apple sauce after the bears had played with the Ursack! Using the Ursack aluminum liner might prevent that, but makes the Ursack less conformable to the inside of the backpack.

Fresh fruit is pretty heavy, but dried fruit not so much.

The last time (2019) I got a wilderness use permit at the Bishop, CA, White Mtn station, I was told that they were ok to use in Inyo National Forest, but not encouraged... Guess who also makes money renting hard sided containers? The USFS.

The Ursack can be shaped to conform to the inside of a pack, whereas a hard container cannot. I've used my Ursack for long or short trips. For weekenders, with fewer items inside, the Ursack just flattens out, but a hard side container cannot.

The Ursack and hard sided containers can still be carried away and played with by bears. I always tie the Ursack, using the Kevlar cord, to a tree or heavy log. The Ursack also comes with an odor-proof plastic sack that goes inside the Ursack. No problems!
Posted By: Team Dirty Boots Re: Bear Canisters - 07/17/20 05:14 PM
Thanks Steve C :-)
Posted By: bobpickering Re: Bear Canisters - 07/20/20 04:21 AM
Originally Posted by Bob West
Only the "White" models are bear resistant.
The new black Ursack Major is also bear resistant.
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