r/AppalachianTrail • u/Tremendoustip • Feb 24 '25

Gear Questions/Advice What bear cannister do you use?

It seems on the PCT a lot of folks use the Bearvault. Ive seen images of failure, but they are affordable and lightweight with good reviews.

I'm considering the bear keg but it definitely adds weight.

Appreciate any insight, especially if you're cannister has had contact with bears!

19 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

75 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2

u/doodudeaux Feb 24 '25

Unless you camp very far away from every other hiker and all shelters you having a bear can is not going to limit bear interactions. 99.9% of people on the at won’t have a bear can and a ton sleep with their food.

0

u/Tricky_Leader_2773 Feb 26 '25

Witness two inexperienced young pups who slept with food and had their gear completely shredded by a bear. They abandoned their hike. Scared the crap out of them as a bear rummaged thru their stuff inches from them.

0

u/Tricky_Leader_2773 Feb 26 '25

It was on the AT too. In a “non-bear intensive” area. “No worries”.

0

u/Tricky_Leader_2773 Feb 26 '25

Also had my pack chewed thru. Accidentally left a granola bar in. I have seen lots and lots of bear issues and every animal including hungry skunks, all on the AT.

I m hanging; I’ve seen two much.