Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Bear Vault container opened by Adirondacks bear

I'm looking to buy a bear container for my John Muir trail (JMT) hike from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney this Aug. While checking on REI's website for the Bear Vault 400 (BV400)container (approved list by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group), I saw this in REI's listing for the Bear Vault 350 (a smaller version of the BV400):

"It has been discovered there is a bear in the Marcy Dam area of the Adirondacks that has learned to open BearVault food containers. Until further notice, BearVault advises that their product should not be used within 20 miles of the Marcy Dam area of the Adirondacks."

It looks like a neat container, clear and no tools needed to open, but now I'm hesitant to get this one. I don't think Adirondacks bears are any smarter than Sierra bears.

The Bear Vault canisters BV 350 & 400 are approved by SIBBG for use in the Sierra. I would buy this canister with confidence that it will not be compromised by local ursine population.

A smart bear opened an earlier version of BV canister at Rae Lakes a few years ago. This bear must have been relocated to Adirondacks.

Hi I would check on the rental program first . Yosemite may offer the light large kevlar can for your trip, saves money, weight .Thanks Doug

Wild Ideas also rents their light carbon graphite container if you don't want to buy one. The weekender version weighs less than 2 pounds. http://www.wild-ideas.net/index2.html

Yes, It must've been this bear. Hope he didn't work too hard figuring out how to open it.

Thanks!

I agree on the rental idea. I rent a Bearicade kevlar cannister which is super lightweight and very strong. It has easier access with no wasted space. You can find it online at this address http://www.wild-ideas.net/index2.html they only charge you fees for the trail dates not for shipping time. Also if you start or finish on different dates than originally agreed to you can amend the rental fees. I have always had great service from them. have a safe trip. Ron

There was an earlier model of the Bear Vault that was being opened by a bear in the Sierra a couple years back. The problem was people weren't closing it all the way. They've changed the closure now so it's pretty easy to use. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a Bear Vault if that was the only thing stopping you from getting it.

All those containers get tested at the Sacramento Zoo. Any of the approved models should work just fine if you use them correctly.

I recall seeing a photo on an east coast message board a while back. It showed a newer model bearvault with puncture marks all along the black rim of the lid. It would appear that the clever New York bear was methodically chewing around the lid until it found the tab that has to be pushed in before unscrewing the lid. I have a bearvault and I've used it a couple of times. I would like to continue using it for a long time to come so hopefully the west coast bears won't learn that trick.

Rafael...

I've heard that most of our east coast bears still don't have internet yet..you guys should be safe for a few more years..

But they can text message with the best of them...if they can get a cell connection.

It must be the same one. This bear can probably outsmart a lot of people!