That guy on the JMT who called me out for my bear can technique

I was on the John Muir Trail near Muir Trail Ranch last summer, and this older hiker named Dave watched me struggle to open my BearVault for like 5 minutes on a hot afternoon. He just said "you know those things open easier if you don't crank it down so hard, right?" and showed me this trick where you tap the lid on a rock first. I felt pretty dumb but it saved me so much frustration the rest of the trip. Has anyone else gotten a random gear tip from a stranger on trail?

2 comments

2 Comments

nina_clark3d ago

you know those things open easier if you don't crank it down so hard, right?" Honestly that's the kind of advice that makes you want to punch yourself for not figuring it out sooner. But ngl, the real unsung hero here is that Dave had the social awareness to actually say something instead of just watching you suffer in silence. Most people would rather film you struggling for TikTok than offer help. Tbh, I'd bet half the frustration with bear cans comes from people overtightening them out of pure paranoia, not the design itself.

henry_palmer243d ago

@nina_clark nailed it. I crank mine until it clicks, no tighter, saves me a fight every time.