Compact foods to fit into a Bear Can?

“Does anyone ideas on fitting a bear canister into a Golite pack? Bear canister are going to be required this April in the Adirondack High peaks, and I need to figure out a good way to carry one in my Golite Race pack (2700ci), if that is even possible.”

“I've never been able to pack one of those up for more than 6 days. I just go with the hanging bag. Haven't had any problems out west. Plus, how do you guys attach the canisters to your packs. Once I've put the canister in the pack, there's no room for anything else. Dang those things. I've always opted out and hung my food in a bear bag.”

“If you're just taking a small quantity of something, use the snack sized ziplocks.”
BearCrossing
3:23:17 PM
2/23/05

Sequoia, a small quantiy of something..what do you think we are birds..lol”

“dhutch, canisters are required in some areas (ie Yosemite and Sequoia/KC) where bears have become very adept at getting bear hangs and tearing apart Ursacks.

lumberzac, I dunno, I bought all three of my packs only after I knew that a bear canister and my gear would fit into them.”

“dhutch, there is a bag made for the Garcia canister that attaches to your pack. I was told not to get it because it makes it easier for the bag to drag your food away.”

“Ewker - :p I repackage spices and crystal lite drink mixes in those snack-sized bags.”

“I bet you can get a lot of peanut butter in a bear can...”

“you can buy those crystal lite drink mixes now in a tube. Each tube is enough for a 16 oz drink. I don't take spices unless it comes with the meal like enteria. Those are packed down pretty small to begin with.”

“i bought all sorts of food today...my bearicade should arrive on the 26th of this month. that's what the email stated. I'll have time to play around with receipes and stuff... I will figure something out.

got a question though: so all you are worried bout is calories? you're not really worried about if you are full? I mean if I eat one bite that has 500 calories (ok...so I that's prolly not possible, but you know what i mean) I still will be hungry. I may have the energy but I won't be happy...

makes sense?”

“where is sabars website again? I heard she got good receipes and other info on it...”

“I haven't seen the drink mixes in tubes. I usually don't take any pre-packaged mountain house-like meals... I make my own meals, much yummier and probably better for you (less salt and preservatives anyway).”

“Well, 2 oz. of pure fat would have about 500 calories. So I guess if your mouth is big enough, you could eat 500 calories in one bite.”

“BC, try the Enertia meals http://www.trailfoods.com/ you will like them. Also Bison says the Mary Jane meals are good. Can't comment on them though”

“I wonder what the calorie to ounce ratio is for bear meat?
8D”

“thanks ewker. i have a couple on enertia meals. I will prolly order a couple more for this trip and to practice.

damn..got to practice to store your food. wtf”

“I know they are required in some parks. I've just never HAD to carry one. I'd probably have to carry two for a weeklong trip! I need fuel!”

“dhutch, one for food and one for wine?”

“lol, do they make a wine barrel one????”

“Is bear meat really lean?

From Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before The Mast:

To a Russian, grease is the greatest
luxury. They looked with greedy eyes upon the tallow-bags as they
were taken into the vessel, and, no doubt, would have eaten one up
whole, had not the officer kept watch over it. The grease seemed
actually coming through their pores, and out in their hair, and on
their faces. It seems as if it were this saturation which makes
them stand cold and rain so well. If they were to go into a warm
climate, they would all die of the scurvy.

”

“Looks like most of the Enertia meals you have to add to boiling water (ie you get your pot dirty) and you have to boil them for a while. I like zip loc bag cooking better... easier (no) cleanup and less fuel consumed.”

“BC, you can cook most of the Enertias right in the bag they come in. The only one so far I've seen that has to be cooked in a pot is the chili, because the beans have to soak for about 15 minutes before you cook.”

“That's good to know, wonder why they don't tell you that on their website? Do you use a cozy?”

“BC, they do tell you "It's all about taste! Enough for a hearty appetite, our single portion meals average 4 oz. and 400 calories and most can be cooked in the pouch!"”

“I haven't, but I've only cooked them when air temps have been over 50*F. Colder temps I would.

One other thing to mention, is that when you add the water, add about 2oz less than it says on the directions.”

“I was looking at the individual meal descriptions and they all say add to boiling water and cook for ~10 minutes...”

“yeah, the pot directions, but you don't want to use the pot, you want to use the pouch.”

“I have never cooked any of the Enertia Meals including the chili in a pot. The chili you do have to let soak for awhile. Once I think I put the beans in the pot of boiling water then poured it into the bag and added the sauce. Not much different.

One thing I have noticed is that the water amounts seem to be off by 2-3 ounces too much.”

“Ewker - I think that matt, the webmaster and gonzo used Enertia Foods last year on the Sierra trip. You could ask their opinions if they are not already posted somewhere.”

“you should think that you can take the enertia meals ouf of the zip bag, and only take 2 or 3 zip bags with you. (wash 'em out). That would save space. if you can't remember the instructions you could always write them on a piece of paper.

I just now ordered me a bunch of enertia meals.”

“Gotcha, so which meals are your favorite?”

“I love the cheese cake. It's soooo good.

we tried the sierra scramble before...and...emm...yam said it wasn't too great and it really didn't look good either.

I thought the cinnemon rice smelled like puke, but hey..that's me...

I had the spagetti before, they wasn't too bad, but very spicy.

That's all I had so far.
I heard the goulash is prett darn good.”

“Just put the food out. The bear will fit it into his can very easily.”

“Ok...don't laugh at this question, but here it goes....
This will be my first time carrying a bear canister on the Sierrapalooza. At night, since there will be no need to hang food, what do you actually do with the canisters? I mean, do you just leave them lying out on the ground, or what. Last time in the Sierras we had Mels Lama's to guard our dinner.

May be dumb, but I just had to ask. : )”

“Goulash good. Alaghenney alfredo good too. Max Patch Mac & Cheese is tasty. Gem is correct in saying that the cheesecake (the one with the blueberries) is as tasty a dessert as I've had anywhere.
I'm southern, which makes me a recreational eater, and I say it's all tasty. The ingredients are very high quality. They are by far the tastiest BP foods IMNSHO. I will say that I do like to add a foil packet of tuna, chicken, or ham to various recipes for added protein as 400 calories is just a warm up for me. I'd need 10 just to get through the day.”

“Place your cannister away from camp on the ground. Place some reflective tape on it so you can find it at night. Make sure a critter can't roll it away...down a hill...off a cliff, etc. Use a depression in the ground, a stump, hole, whatever...just make sure there's nothing attached that the critter can grab hold off and drag the cannister off. All cannisters are suppose to be waterproof, but test yours. I had a leak and had to fix it...you don't want wet food in the middle of the woods. I have a larger backpack for when I want to carry my cannister. I can carry it either inside or outside the pack. Usually, I carry it inside.”

“Are any of you using a BearVault? I would
like to get some user comments on
this product.”

“Is that the Lexan jar?”

“Yes

bearvault.com”

“Ewker

I didn't get the carrying case when I got my Garcia. I wish I had. Most times I just put it in the pack, but there have been times when I would have liked to be able to
just attach it to the outside of the pack.
Some people use the lower straps on the pack but mine aren't long enough.

Just don't leave it in the case at night:)

Zac, I tried it in a GoLite but don't remember which model. It would have been fine if all I was taking was the canister and a pair of socks. ”

“Just leave the canister about 50+ feet from your camp in a spot it can't roll away easily.

My Garcia is not waterproof and I am not sure about the Bearikade.”

“the Garica isn't waterproof?? dang I didn't know that”

“It's not completely waterproof but you use a sealed plastic bag in them (any canister I would think) and I think it would have to be submerged to get get wet inside. At least mine has never gotten wet from just rain.”

““It's not completely waterproof but you use a sealed plastic bag in them (any canister I would think) and I think it would have to be submerged to get get wet inside. At least mine has never gotten wet from just rain.”
pepsi
2:08:02 PM
2/24/05
ignore this user

I do the same with a bear bag and have never ended up with wet food and I know my bear bag isn't waterproof.”

“bear vault, last year Trail Angel had one. The threads on the lid striped. I don't know how well they stood behind it.”

“anyone know what bear canisters are NOT approved?”

“The best thing about my bearicade weekender is it makes a kicka$$ seat.”

“yeah...so I don't need to bring my therma rest seat right?? but then I can't lean back. hmm...

I just ordered me a lighter thermarest too. the z rest... it will do.

and i think I'll oder me the ULA p2 pack. or the kelty...didn't make up my mind yet. I guess that's why I didn't order it yet. I am not sure which one to get.

i hate decissions.
last edited: 2/24/05 1:24:14 PM”

“Gem, you can get some type of pad to put on top of the canister. It isn't soft so rethink your thermarest seat
last edited: 2/24/05 1:26:02 PM”

“hmm...I have a small therma rest pillow thingy. but I still like to lean back, and of course also want to pack as light as possible.

Can't have it all huh? shoot. grrrrr”