[pct-l] Bear Canister Challenge

[losthiker at sisqtel.net (Deems)]

This is a very worthy challenge, and probably can be done with current
technology.
However, how much would it cost, and how much would a hiker be willing to
pay?
The current winner is the Bearikade weekender at $195 made out of carbon
fiber and
aluminum end caps. Titanium and carbon fiber would be the two best materials
for the
strength to wt ratios. Hi-tech aircraft, race cars, bicycles, motorcycles
and spacecraft
have used these materials to achieve incredible results lately. How much
would a hiker
be willing to pay for a 1.5 pound or less bear can? I think a 1 lb can is
possible. The
greatest strength would need to be placed on the opening since it can't
afford to be bent
or broken. Some wt could be saved on the barrel as long as it can't be bit
or carried. The
Bearikade is bascially $100 per pound, so a one pound can could be worth
$250-300.
There's a rumor of a one-off all titanium bear-can built by Boeing, but
never marketed;
I wonder where that can is today?
A modular can is a bit more difficult since if one part is compromised, then
the system
is compromised. A non-modular ultralite bearcan might be the better
challenge. I believe
1 pound is the breakthrough barrier. I use an ursack (7oz) and a dog in
nonpark bear areas,
and hate all 44 oz of my Garcia bear can which I only carried once.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I challenge someone to come up with a bear canister that is adjustable.  It
can weigh under 1.5 pounds for a 3-4 day trip or expand for a 5-7 day trip
and
probably get into the 2+ pound weight range.  Your reward?  A free lunch
down
at the dinner near the park on me.  Or a dinner at the casino if we have
wheels.  I ate there free last year and it was a very nice meal (I won at
slots).

I figure the answer is a simple canister that has two sections.
1.  For short trips one section has screw on lids for the two ends.
2.  For longer trips a ring connector joins two sections together.  Only one
lid is needed now, since the second section has a closed bottom.
3.  Or you could just take two smaller canisters on a longer trip.  Either
way, I will pay off if the weight makes sense.  A 2.5+ pound answer will not
cut
it.  I will have my electronic scales with me if I have a vehicle.

You will get extra points if it comes in colors like the Nalgene bottles.
:)

Cheers, Switchback