Dimensions: 8.8" diameter x 12" long; walls 3/16" thick. Cubic inch displacement: 730 cu in (12 L)
Capacity: holds approximately 6 person-days of food (ie, 3 people
for 2 days; or 2 people for 3 days; or 1 person for 6 days; etc)
Transportation: designed to fit into a backpack or can be attached
to the outside of a pack with an optional
carrying case.
Note: *Model 812 by Garcia Machine is the newest version of the same bear
resistant food containers (bear canisters) used by the Denali, Glacier
Bay and Yosemite National Parks (the older, heavier model is no longer
manufactured).
Backpacker's Cache compared to 1 gallon water jug.
Filling jug with 2.25 inches of water equals 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) - the weight
of the empty bear canister.
Backpackers' Cache on its side with lid facing camera. Holds
enough food for 6 person-days.
The lid locks can easily be twisted opened by a human, but are impossible
for a bear to open.
This is the locking mechanism on the inside of the lid (ie, this
picture and the picture above show the lock from the inside and the
outside).
Carrying case
Optionalcarrying case with zippered access and webbing straps is
custom made for the Backpackers' Cache by Garcia Machine (see link in cart).
Save the Bears: These canisters manufactured by Garcia Machine
protect your food supply. This not only benefits you, but helps keep the
bears from becoming conditioned toward backpackers as a food supply. Bears
that learn that backpackers carry easily accessible food can become increasingly
aggressive in raiding backpackers' equipment. The National Parks maintain
a policy of destroying nuisance bears that become a threat to humans. For
$69 and a weight penalty of 2.7 lbs, you can do your part to Save the Bears.
These canisters are also useful for protecting your food from gnawing
rodents and other furry creatures that would rather chew through your backpack
than dig up a tuber.
How it works: The lid is secured by two latches that can be
twisted open/closed with a coin, key, thumb nail, etc. Leave the closed
container away from you sleeping area. If a bear finds it, do not
risk provoking the bear by attempting to take the container away from the
bear. These containers easily withstand a bear's pawing, chewing and
kicking. The bear will eventually lose interest in it and leave it
alone.
