[pct-l] Cannisters and Bears- Backapackers Cache

[bharve at dslextreme.com (Bruce Harvey)]

Dear Garcia Machine folks:
I've copied below part of a post by a hiker to the pct-l mail list.  The 
topic of bear canisters is a perennial one.  There are literally several 
hundred posts each year, almost all of them expressing dismay and concern 
about weight of canisters.  That's understandable, since folks hiking long 
distances have a fetish about pack weight.

Before someone else does so, I suggest that the Garcia Machine company 
seriously pursue producing the present canister design using different 
materials to significantly reduce weight.  The design could be produced in 
carbon fiber and epoxy resin at possibly less than a pound.  Construction of 
sailboards (windsurfing boards) typically use carbon and epoxy, and are very 
light.  I have ten-year old board that has 105 liters of volume which weighs 
less than 15 pounds.  It's construction is frp (carbon fiber, ceramic fiber, 
epoxy resin) over a foam core, and with ABS over the frp.  As demonstration 
of toughnes, a salesman hit it with a carptenter's hammer several times, 
really hard hits.  There was no visible effect then, and there isn't now, 
ten years and lots of use later.

Garcia Machine could certainly continue to produce the canister in ABS, and 
produce a premium higher cost, lightweight, frp version.  If that were to be 
done, I believe that after due considereation of  cost versus weight 
tradeoff for material in the lid that the premium canister might very well 
use the ABS used in the current canister.

Personally I think the current design is fine in many respects.  Competitors 
state that the Backpackers Cache isn't waterproof.  That hasn't concerned 
me; I set it overnight upside-down, on duff and in brush that can keep it 
upside-down.  I haven't yet faced a swimming ford; I suppose I'd apply duct 
tape if faced with one.  Garcia folks are welcome to e-mail me for 
discussion.

Regards, from a fellow Califonian

> I am still on my campaign for "let's have a small bear canister under 1.5
> pounds" for 3 to 4 days worth of food.  Enough to get me to the next 
> resupply or
> off the trail if I get hit by Mr. Bruin.  This 2 - 2.5 pound canister 
> stuff is
> ridiculous.  That is like carrying two solo tents or two REALLY warm 
> sleeping
> bags.  Crazy.  I cannot believe 5 years from now, we will be carrying 
> these
> heavy canisters.  There has to be reasonable cost alternative materials
> somewhere in the world.  May be we could get some inexpensive titanium 
> canisters from
> China.  Everything seems to be made there now.  Panda bear proof, etc., 
> etc.
>
> Getting ready to Section hike/attack the PCT in March, your buddy, 
> Switchback
>
>
>
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