Using a bear canister is an effective way to avoid hanging a bear bag and still protecting your food. Bears cannot open the canisters as they require the nimble dexterity only humans possess. These bear canisters, while fairly large, still must be packed efficiently to utilize all the available space.
Plan the food items you want to take. Stick to smaller particle items such as macaroni and cheese, powdered dinners and sauces, and trail mixes. These types of items are easily compacted and will fill out the space in the canister.
2
Repackage all store-bought items into ziplock bags.
3
Layer the bear canister. Vary the placing of items by placing a layers of bars, a layer of dinners, a layer of other snacks, and so on, until you've filled the canister.
4
Condense foods. If you normally add beef jerky to your dinners (for example, mashed potatoes), place the amount you would normally eat for that meal in the ziplock bag with the instant potatoes.
5
Attempt several strategies of layering before heading into the wilderness and go with the one with which you are most comfortable and the one that conserves the most space.
Tips & Warnings
Remember to keep extra ziplocks in your pack or canister for all garbage. Pack out what you pack in.
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