Bear Canister In A Gregory GPack

I have recently purchased a G-Pack. I'm curently experimenting with packing it, but have concerns about my trips to the Sierras (which I take frequently) and packing a bear canister. Am I just hopeful that I can pack it, or am I going to need to use my larger pack?

The GPack is really intended as either a daypack or an ultralight pack. It is 2500 (S) to 2950 (L) cu in. Depending on what size pack you got and what bear canister you are using, the pack will be either fairly full or very full. Unfortunately, in most of the Sierra, canisters are a necessity, and in a large part (Yosemite, Sequoia-Kings Canyon NPs, Inyo NF), required. Yes, there are places with permanent bear boxes, but those are where "everybody" is camping. Bear bagging just doesn't work in the Sierra anymore - most of the bears have this figured out, having passed the techniques along from exiled Yosemite bears (the joke is that most bears are graduates of Bear University of Yosemite Valley, but the serious side is that bears do pass the skills from sow to cubs by example, and from one bear to another, even to the point of certain models of cars being "known" to the bears as easy-entry).

I suspect you will need a pack closer to 4000 cu in to add your other gear on top of the bear canister. I have to put either of my canisters (original Garcia and Bear Vault) upright in my 2965 cu in Eureka Mudslide or 2440 cu in Lowe Alpine Attack 40. The Bear Vault is 680 cu in outside volume, but putting it upright leaves only a little space around the sides, and not a great deal on top. I can do a bit better with my Kelty Cloud 4500 because of the removable outside pockets. In summer in the Sierra, I tend to use an ultralight with no tent, a very light, compact sleeping bag, and not a lot else. But still, I use the Cloud to get both the canister and other gear in.

The Garcia Bear-Resistant Container does fit insde for a weekend trip, but will have to be secured outside for longer hikes. This can be done easily by securing it under the removable zippered lid found on the G-Pack. Although, extender straps may have to be purchased to accomodate a completely "full" pack. Another suggestion is to run a few 1/4" beads of Seam Seal/Silicon on the bottom of the zippered lid. The Bear cannister is extremely slippery and the Seam Seal/Silicon will not allow it to slide out during a hike, Easily... It is not recommended to rough-up or alter the Bear cannister in any way.

Ken
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