Bear Canisters -- Pack it Right!

The use of bear-resistant canisters for food and garbage storage was initiated in Glacier Bay National Park in 1991. The frequency of incidents where bears have damaged property or obtained food has decreased markedly since use of these canisters was instituted. All food carried into the backcountry must be packed into canisters.  For more information on bear country camping and bear biology you may also look up the Park's new web site page on bears. The NPS loans, free of charge, two sizes of canisters. They are issued during your required camper orientation at the Visitor Information Station at the public dock in Bartlett Cove. The smaller PVC canister is light weight and designed to slip into a camper's backpack. It is 8" x 12" and weighs 2.9 lbs. With 560 cubic inches of volume it will hold approximately 6 person-days of food. The larger PVC canister, which fits easily into a single kayak, measures 8" x 18", weighs 5 lbs, has 839 cubic inches and will hold about 9 person-days of food. Make sure your food will fit. Plan your menus carefully before you depart. Select convenient, lightweight foods that don't take up a lot of room such as freeze dried food, rice, pasta, instant soup mixes, dried fruits, granola bars, trail mix, jerky, and instant oatmeal. Remove all bulky packaging and boxes. Repack whenever possible into zip lock bags. Eliminate bulky foods such as canned products and fresh fruit or frozen meat. (Cans also retain food odors and must be packed out along with your other garbage.) Once you have packaged your dried foods for your menus, if you would like to mail them to us in advance, send to Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks, P.O. Box 26, Gustavus, AK 99826. Mark clearly your name and arrival date on the outside of the package.