Food storage.

[1stimestar]

IE next summers' Yukon River trip from Eagle to Circle. What should I put the food in? I've used those little bear canisters when backpacking and I think there are larger ones. But are they necessary? Couldn't I just put food in a tote and keep it away from camp? Or IN camp next to the camp fire? What do you guys do/use?

 

[FL2AK-Old Town]

I think most of what you've done and or learned backpacking, in regards to this question, will serve you well while canoeing. I use an Ursack http://www.ursack.com/ but I also store food in those opsak, odor-proof liners http://www.loksak.com/products/opsak If you're not worried about a bear getting your food, then yeah, just store it in a float bag, I guess, but bears love camper food. (I confess, I don't have enough BRFC's to hold ALL my food if I'm out for more than 3 days, and on longer trips, I've put food in an opsak and then inside a float bag.)

I don't store food in camp.

 

[stid2677]

Just use standard camp practices and you will be fine. I did that float last summer and we did not even see a bear. I have one of those bear containers and they are small. There is several public use cabins on that float and each has bear proof containers. One cabin is at the mouth of the Kandik and there is Slaven's road house and at least one other cabin. 5 gallon buckets with a lid is always handy and helps contain scent.

 

[toofewweekends]

Bear resistant food containers are required for trips in the preserve. And those containers are available for free borrowing in both Eagle and Fairbanks. Information on the requirements and how to obtain a container are at http://www.nps.gov/yuch/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm in the Bear Saftey section. BTW, I did the Eagle to Circle trip a few years ago and it's a delightful float (we used canoes). At Slaven's, take the short hike and check out the dredge on Coal Creek. The trail goes farther south(ish) to Coal Creek Camp and beyond if you want to stretch your legs and see the country from higher up in the hills. Also, here's info on the public use cabins (free to use): http://www.nps.gov/yuch/planyourvisit/publicusecabins.htm

John Quinley
NPS information

 

[FL2AK-Old Town]

so...twofewweekends' comment just reminded me...I forgot that trip goes through NPS jurisdiction. Scrap what I said. Those kevlar Ursack BRFC's are not approved for use in NPS lands. NPS only approves hard sided containers. (The ursack company even sued the NPS in court over it and lost.) So, now you're back to either the Counter Assault or Garcia Bear Keg brand plastic BFRC's. (I hate those things.)

 

[1stimestar]

Yes, someone else just told me that they have the larger sized bear resistant food containers at the public lands office. Yay. I just didn't want to buy those as they are really expensive. Didn't know I could borrow the larger sized ones. So now, we're all set. Thanks for your help.

 

[1stimestar]

I knew about the public use cabins and plan on using a couple of them. Thanks for the Coal Creek Dredge info. I would love to check it out. John, do you have any photos of your trip? If so, I'd love to see them even if it's just how you packed your canoe. I have a 17' Grumman and am taking my sister from Texas on the adventure of her life lol.