[pct-l] Cannisters and Bears- Backapackers Cache

[bharve at dslextreme.com (Bruce Harvey)]

Dear Garcia and MacLean folks:

A Garcia Backpacker Cache bear canister shape doesn't require as much wall 
thickness to resist deformation as required in a straight right cylinder 
such as the Bearikade and Bear Vault canisters.  Also, the Garcia shape is 
difficult to maintain a purchase on.  A bear likely couldn't keep a 
Backpacker Cache wedged among rocks and 'pump' it as in the reported 
incident in which Bear Vault canister lid was popped off by pumping.

I suggest that the superior Garcia shape be produced in a substantially 
lighter frp canister.  Garcia has existing tooling and methods that may be 
partly transferable to working in frp.  That is why I made the frp 
suggestion to you.  This message is follow-up to introduce your company to 
MacLean Quality composites in case you're not already aware of them.  As you 
can see from the
http://www.macqc.com/aboutUs.php and
http://www.macqc.com/technology.php
pages on the MacLean website, they can work with your company to develop frp 
production tools and methods, or can produce canisters for Garcia to market. 
With your marketing channels in place and wide market acceptance, it seems 
Garcia is logical marketer of a lighter Backpacker Cache.  As I wrote 
earlier, the weight/cost tradeoffs in producing an frp lid might possibly 
end in a decision to utilize your existing ABS lid.

Consider yourselves challenged to produce a canister no heavier than one 
pound.  It might have to be of slightly less interior volume than the 
current Backpacker Cache.

Regards, from a Backpacker Cache owner