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07/23/2022 07:29PM  
Curious about what everyone is still using to carry food these days.

I've been using a couple Ursacks for the last 10 years or so, but the family is getting bigger and it's time to add some capacity so I'm looking at more options. Was initially thinking to get an Ursack major 2xl, but boy their prices have gone up since I last got in on a group buy with Jan (kanoes) way back when.

Are they still worth it? Also considering switching to a blue barrel with harness...
 
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YetiJedi
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07/23/2022 07:58PM  
keth0601: "Curious about what everyone is still using to carry food these days.

I've been using a couple Ursacks for the last 10 years or so, but the family is getting bigger and it's time to add some capacity so I'm looking at more options. Was initially thinking to get an Ursack major 2xl, but boy their prices have gone up since I last got in on a group buy with Jan (kanoes) way back when.

Are they still worth it? Also considering switching to a blue barrel with harness..."


Yep, ursack prices have risen and, unfortunately, I don't think they have the velcro closure on the inside any longer. I still use them. I also have blue barrels and use those as well. It seems like I switch up which ones I use from trip to trip...probably use the ursacks most, though.
 
07/23/2022 08:21PM  
Still using 5-gallon buckets with screw tops for food storage. They work well as stools, Happy Hour bar, water filtering, etc.



Somewhat bear-resistant
 
schweady
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07/23/2022 08:43PM  
Bear Vaults. Not really in the mood to ever go back to hanging again.
 
07/23/2022 08:45PM  
schweady: "Bear Vaults. Not really in the mood to ever go back to hanging again.
"


My problem with the bear vaults is the size really. For our group we'd need to bring along 4-5 of them which doesn't seem very efficient. Otherwise I like the idea of not having to hang or tie to a tree...
 
schweady
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07/24/2022 01:54PM  
keth0601: "
schweady: "Bear Vaults. Not really in the mood to ever go back to hanging again.
"



My problem with the bear vaults is the size really. For our group we'd need to bring along 4-5 of them which doesn't seem very efficient. Otherwise I like the idea of not having to hang or tie to a tree..."

Agree that they add weight and volume, and you might feel like you need almost as many vaults as your group size for a weeklong trip. But over the years I've gotten fairly creative with the things that one can pack in them and configuring them to the max. Although you need more for larger groups, you also have more cargo carrying capacity with additional or larger canoes.

I have access to 4 BV500s. We have never brought them all, but I look forward to the time we try it... Insert Boy Scout Motto here...
 
MReid
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07/24/2022 03:26PM  
keth0601:My problem with the bear vaults is the size really. For our group we'd need to bring along 4-5 of them which doesn't seem very efficient. Otherwise I like the idea of not having to hang or tie to a tree..."

Try a month on the Noatak in Alaska, where bear canisters are required. We had 20 canisters for the 4 of us. They all fit in the two 17' PakBoats.
 
07/24/2022 04:14PM  
MReid: "
keth0601:My problem with the bear vaults is the size really. For our group we'd need to bring along 4-5 of them which doesn't seem very efficient. Otherwise I like the idea of not having to hang or tie to a tree..."

Try a month on the Noatak in Alaska, where bear canisters are required. We had 20 canisters for the 4 of us. They all fit in the two 17' PakBoats."


If they would make a 30 or 60 liter bear vaults I'd be sold.

You'd need 6 of them to get roughly the volume of a 60l blue barrel. That's like $500... 20 is like $1800... That's crazy.
 
MReid
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07/24/2022 05:00PM  
keth0601:You'd need 6 of them to get roughly the volume of a 60l blue barrel. That's like $500... 20 is like $1800... That's crazy."

Luckily the NPS loans them out at no charge. Be we had a number of them personally.
 
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