Bear Canister

[machco7]

I backpack in the Sierras where bear canisters are required. I currently use a Bearikade Expedition. I have three questions:

1) I plan to pack the canister in the horizontal position on the Evo frame shelf. Visualize the bear canister on its side on the frame shelf, with the packbag on top of the canister and anchored to the frame, and a base talon compressing it all together. In your opinion, would this configuration fit comfortably on the pack and would it be secure. Canister is 14.5" tall by 9" wide, but in this configuration it would be 14.5" wide by 9" tall.

2) If this configuration works, what size packbag would you recommend? The packbag will be 9" higher than usual so I was thinking of going with the smaller option but I would like the flexibility of the larger bag when I am not using the canister. On the one hand, the larger bag packs down well with the compression straps, but on the other hand I may lose zipper access depending on if the zipper zips down or up. Any feedback would be great.

3) Given the taller configuration, should I go with a sightly taller frame? If so, would that be awkwardly high when I am using it without the canister? I am 5' 11" with a 19" torso.

Your feedback is much appreciated! And if anyone has tried this, would be great to hear your thoughts too. Thanks.

[kevin_t]

[machco7]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply.

I am a father of three so as you can imagine, I need a large bear canister for packing where a canister is required. Same with the bag, sometimes I need a lot of volume (when packing with the kids) and sometimes I do not (when going solo). With that said, I don't see needing more than the 3900 for most applications but the 4800 may come in handy from time to time. The 4800 would also provide insurance in the event the bear canister configuration above is not comfortable.

One of the keys for me is that I don't want to unroll the bag everytime I need to access the zipper. The 4800 would be the best solution as it would be most versatile, but if the zipper is restricted in bear can mode then I would be fine trading down to the 3900 (assuming zipper access is not restricted here as well). One of the things I like about the Evo is its versatility so another solution is to own more than one packbag.

Also, I am curious to hear whether the bear can solution works comfortably and if it is secure, and whether I would need a larger frame to accomodate the configuration?

[kevin_t]

So you are talking about basically cutting off the bottom part of the pack bag (not literally) but just compressing the bear canister in it's place instead of having the canister inside the pack bag ? It won't restrict zipper usage, except where it is compressed, but the top is still accessible.


Let me load up a pack and snap a few photos with my canister.

[machco7]

I was envisioning moving the pack higher on the frame so that the bottom of the bag sits on top of the bear can. The bear can would sit on the bottom of the frame supported by the shelf. The result is that the packbag would sit 9" higher than usual. I imagine a larger packbag would need to be rolled down further than normal but this may restrict zipper access. A smaller packbag may be a better solution, but still not sure about zipper access. And then there is the frame, which may or may not need to be extended depending on bag size.

[kevin_t]

Will respond more later, here are some options the bag in photo is a 3900



Notice I added a buckle to bottom compression to keep the two bottom straps closer




A talon was added in the last two photos

These are just options. I also know the same bear canister can just be loaded in the bottom if a 4800 bag

Thanks

[udpumpkin]

I also have to carry a bear canister occasionally. I have seen people put the bear canister under the pack like the original poster was asking about (posted a link to an example below). Would this be possible with a Paradox pack or would you need to special order a pack smaller than the frame?

http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backp ... _99934.jpg

[machco7]

Yes, the linked photo is exactly the configuration that I am considering. Thanks for posting udp.

Kevin, thanks for taking the time to respond and for posting the pictures. Your solution could work too but the canister would be further away from my body.

[machco7]

I did a google search and found the same bag posted by UDP, but from the side (linked below). And it looks like this is on an Evolution frame!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/373869206538357111/

Assuming this works in the field, you may want to highlight it as a feature, either through video and/or as part of your configuration page, as I imagine this would be a great selling point for many backpackers that need to carry bear canisters. Not fun having to repack everytime you need access to the canister.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts now that my configuration idea is more clear.

[kevin_t]

I am familiar with that. I believe that was a custom zimmerbuilt bag for that purpose. I am not sure if it was frame attached or not, as it looks like it might just be compressed on the frame. The person that did that I know is on BPL, you might want to send them a message.

Anyway, you can compress just about anything on the frame, sometimes it is a manner of how. Personally I prefer an attached pack bag, but I have used non attached many times as well.

We could make a smaller sort of half bag / two / thirds bag. It would be custom, at least initially and follow more of our roll top styling unless specified. How I would do it would be to use the attachment at the top, use a similar attachment on the lowest compression strap and then keep most other stuff free. Just let us know CI and fabric and any other features and we can give you a quote.