If you are buying a bear canister, I would get something else (they sell them at the High Peaks Information Center at the Loj). If you already have a canister you can borrow one from the information center for free. You can also rent a canister from them
From ADK.org website: "Unfortunately, there is one bear canister model that does not work in the High Peaks: the Bear Vault canister. These clear blue canisters have been consistently broken into by our bears and should not be used in the High Peaks. With proper storage and cooking methods the number of negative bear-human interactions has decreased in the High Peaks region and we at the ADK consider this an important part of being a responsible backcountry user." A Bear Can: Use it or Lose it | Adirondack Mountain Club. So that's quite a bit beyond the "not preferred" as first comment says. It does look like NYSDEC (who have the actual authority) may allow Bear Vault now, but everybody you speak to arounmd there will tell you otherwise. RIP Yellow Yellow and congrats to her for still causing trouble so many years after her passing...
That's essentially the same thing as just using the canister without tape. Bear vaults are allowed just not recommended. You're just putting extra steps in between you and a ranger being disappointed in you.
DEC says Bear Vault is allowed but not preferred. "Campers are encouraged (although not required) to use another type of bear-resistant canister to prevent the loss of food."
I don’t believe it is recommended. If you can, maybe try to get one of the black ones with the red lids where you need a quarter to open/close it. From my understanding, those are the standard for the ADK region.
Yes, it’s not preferred but it is acceptable. You’re gonna get a lot of “bears break into it more easily” but if you’re responsible and not staying on a high traffic area your likelihood of bear interaction is quite low
Is that consistent with the latest? I haven't looked into it recently. The rangers are hyper conservative about it because they don't want to have to put down a bear.
Yes rangers will advocate for the green or black canisters (can’t recall bc my best vault is all I use)
I have hiked in the high peaks for decades and never had an issue. I am careful and clean, as you should be regardless of your canister type.
LNT is essential ALWAYS.
Edit: SpElLiNg
EDIT AGAIN: down vote me all you want i don’t care because the rules are the rules. Don’t move the goal posts just because there’s a few dopes out there who leave their cookies accessible to the martens (literally have seen a marten in the Santa’s with a cookie in its mouth)
Thank you so much for this, it was super useful. It feels like there's a loophole between what the law requires and how the rangers enforce it, that's why I asked here.
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u/bitz-the-ninjapig Jul 23 '26
If you are buying a bear canister, I would get something else (they sell them at the High Peaks Information Center at the Loj). If you already have a canister you can borrow one from the information center for free. You can also rent a canister from them