Bear canister integration in sub-45L packs: Real feasibility or wishful thinking for JMT/Yosemite logistics?
I’ve logged 2,000+ miles with Ursacks and hard cans over the past decade, from Sierra Nevada high routes to Wind River basins. The hype around jamming a BV450/500 into a 38-42L frameless or lightweight framed pack using “roll-top hacks” and compression straps sounds great on paper, but in practice, it nukes volume for food, layers, and emergency space-especially when you’re forced to carry 5-6 days due to resupply closures or weather.
Claims of “no volume loss” if you ditch the quilt for a bivy don’t hold up; my tests added 20-30% dead space and shifted CG badly, leading to fatigue over 15mi/days with 25lb loads. Who’s got side-by-side pack scans (e.g., PackWizard exports) or weigh-ins from actual permitted trips showing it works without upping base weight over 12lbs? Field reports with elevation profiles and daily mileages appreciated-let’s cut through the ultralight bro-science with data.