[BULK] - RE: [pct-l] Bear Cannisters

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

That "No Cooking" notice was not meant to be humerous. Think of it as being 
analogous to the Surgeon General's warnings mandated on cigarettes. At least 
Congress exempted firearms manufacturers from liability if a purchaser uses 
one of their creations to kill someone. God forbid people in this country 
should return to taking responsibility for their own actions!

If memory serves me correctly, that notice came about because of the actions 
of a few Darwin Award contenders who actually tried to use their rented 
Bearikades as a cooking pot or to boil water during 2002 in the Sierras. 
This activity naturally exceeded the service temperature of the adhesive 
(-60F +180F) and weakened the end cap joint which ultimately led to the 
revocation of tentative approval from the SIBBG.

That's not good for business.Wild Ideas quickly modified the cans, provided 
instructions for owners on how to do the simple drop and leak tests, and 
offered free retrofits to existing owners. SIBBG then granted approval to 
the new design. The old model Bearikades are not approved.

Bear cans have to be large in diameter so that a large Grizzly can not get 
its jaws around one and crush it. Notice that all bear can manufacturers 
have about the same 9 inch diameter. The height of the can can vary 
depending on the capacity desired, but that too can not be less than the 
diameter for the same reason. Therefore, there is a minium size to ANY bear 
cannister. Because of this, bulk will ALWAYS be a factor in any bear can. 
Yes, they take up a lot of space in your pack - or on it.

And as mentioned by an earlier writer, the Bearikade does also make a great 
camp seat or table. I've carried mine for several years. Love the 
functionality; willing to tolerate the weight; hate the bulk.



Wandering Bob