This is my first post.

Since the recent food pack topic was hijacked i thought i would start a new one just for convenience.  I am pretty sure that i have read through all of the other topics on the blue barrels and haven't found a real strong asnwer to my questions, so hopefully these are not overly repeated questions that have been answered multiple times.

Ok here are the questions for those blue barrel users out there.

1) What size (60L, 30L, or 2X30L) would you use for a 2 person or 4 person group for a week as a food pack which will also hold the cookware, dinnerware, and stove? I am trying to decide on which barrel set up would accomodate my wife and I or group without having to order all of them to test each out.

2) Is the 60L easy(relatively) to carry for a smaller framed person?

3) Also, a double 30L set up is around two pounds heavier than one 60L...is it worth the weight? Or don't you notice a weight difference since the center of gravity of the 2X30L is closer to your back compared to the 60L?

Thanks in advance for your collective expertise.

I  like the two 30L barrels myself. If I am on a trip for 2 for a week, one 30L barrel will hold the food and the other holds all the other cook items...small pots/pans, stove, depth finder, gas etc... The two 30 L barrels together will hold enough food for 4-5 for 7-8 days or more depending on how much food you bring. I never tried the harnesses because I already had a pack that fit the two barrels. We always bring both barrels even though one would be enough just to even out the pack load.

I like to carry the 2 30L barrels in a pack so they sit side by side. It isn't uncomfortable to carry. Except for the weight the food pack/barrels are comfortable to carry. The only problem is it is easy to get that food pack too heavy. Another advantage of 2 barrels if by chance you have a bear encounter---hopefully you would discover the bear before he got both barrels. You are spreading out your risk so to speak.

Tim

Welcome mntrehgr,

I gotta say that's one of the most insightful question type first posts I've seen in a while. I've seen similar foodpacks being advertised with a picture of someone with a small frame standing straight up. (Stupid art directors are to blame) I'd guess two 30's would be easier for most any adult to portage even with the extra 2lbs but I've no first hand experience w/ blue barrels so...

I too like to keep both cookware and food to a dedicated pack so I'll add a more specific question to yours. What is the size of the opening of a 30 and 60? My frying pan wants to know.

wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 4:06pm:

What size (60L, 30L, or 2X30L) would you use for a 2 person or 4 person group for a week as a food pack which will also hold the cookware, dinnerware, and stove?

A 60 litre for sure.

I've used the 30 litre for 4 people over 4 nights (food inside only, no cookware) supplemented by fresh caught fish. That's about all I can get out of it without switching to freeze-dried or dehydrated foods. The 30 litre will handle a week's food for two people though – if you pack carefully.


wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 4:06pm:

Is the 60L easy(relatively) to carry for a smaller framed person?

Obviously, a little less easy than a 30 litre because it's going to be that much heavier. It is however, not more difficult than carrying a loaded pack, assuming you invest in a decent harness. I've seen skinny teenage girls carry them, older men carry them, even a disabled friend carry them. Yes, relatively easy to carry.


wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 4:06pm:

Also, a double 30L set up is around two pounds heavier than one 60L...is it worth the weight? Or don't you notice a weight difference since the center of gravity of the 2X30L is closer to your back compared to the 60L?

That's an unusual set-up. If you want to carry multiple containers, make them olive barrels. I think they're about 15 litres volume, often square in cross-section. You can get them used at Greek restaurants before they throw them out. They won't add up to 60 litres but they'll be easy to carry in a pack. An olive barrel may also may be a good companion to a 30 litre barrel to stretch out your trip or carry dog food.

I have both a 60 and 30 litre barrel. Highly recommend them. I also use Headstrong harnesses for their cost/quality/comfort equation. Ostrom is a more costly choice, the Cadillac of harnesses I would say.

db wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 9:46pm:

What is the size of the opening of a 30 and 60? My frying pan wants to know.

Opening of the 60 litre is 12 3/8"
Opening of the 30 litre is 9 3/4"

db wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 9:46pm:

Welcome mntrehgr, I too like to keep both cookware and food to a dedicated pack so I'll add a more specific question to yours. What is the size of the opening of a 30 and 60? My frying pan wants to know.

According to my math the 30 and the 60 openings are 10 1/2" for   (You need to Login or Register barrels which I would imagine are the same ones that sell elsewhere for up to $75.00.  
flp

flpaddler, those barrels look a bit different from what I'm used to seeing. No handles for one thing. I'm not sure they are typical of food barrels.

the description states that the 8 and 15 gallon barrels have molded-in handles.  Jan

Handsome_Bill wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 11:44pm:

flpaddler, those barrels look a bit different from what I'm used to seeing. No handles for one thing. I'm not sure they are typical of food barrels.

flpaddler's link is good that's where I bought my 30L (or 8 gallon) barrels---almost exact same barrels they sell for food barrels, but at wholesale cost  :). They have the air/water tight seal---work good for me.

Tim

Handsome_Bill wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 11:12pm:

wrote on Mar 9th, 2007 at 4:06pm: [quote author=mntrehgr link=1173456405/0#0 date=1173456404]Also, a double 30L set up is around two pounds heavier than one 60L...is it worth the weight? Or don't you notice a weight difference since the center of gravity of the 2X30L is closer to your back compared to the 60L? That's an unusual set-up.

Actually it isn't unusual at all. One outfitter even sells the setup.
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That's similar to what I use and it is quite comfortable to carry (until you pack those barrels full ;)). The two 30L barrels do keep the weight  closer to your center of balance. That's another advantage to the 2 30L barrels I forgot as your food disappears you can balance the load between the two barrels.

Tim

Another option to the barrel system is the airtight plastic box that Gander Mtn sells for about $30. One of those will feed 4-6 for a week or so.

TimA wrote on Mar 10^th, 2007 at 4:00am:

Actually it isn't unusual at all. One outfitter even sells the setup.

Yes, unusual, rare, not commonly done. Maybe not for you though. ;) How does that sit in a boat? I lay my barrels down low between thwarts.

By handles on barrels, I meant actual handles you find on barrels from other sources, like:
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Another thing I notice from the US Plastics site is that they state the size of 60 and 30 litre barrel openings are the same. I don't believe that at all. That's never been the case with barrels I've seen. Just look at the photo.

Handsome_Bill wrote on Mar 10^th, 2007 at 11:50am:

By handles on barrels, I meant actual handles you find on barrels from other sources, like:   (You need to Login or Register Another thing I notice from the US Plastics site is that they state the size of 60 and 30 litre barrel openings are the same. I don't believe that at all. That's never been the case with barrels I've seen. Just look at the photo.

Bill, Not to be a horses patoote but what is the purpose of the handles, if the barrel is in a harness the handles then become a moot point, would they not? To qualify this I have not used a barrel rig or even seen one in use, so I'm asking.

flp

flpaddler wrote on Mar 10^th, 2007 at 1:50pm:

Bill, Not to be a horses patoote but what is the purpose of the handles

I'm the horse's patoote around here.

You're right, harness straps will offer a handle on the rig. Although not the best grip. Some harnesses (like Headstrong's) have additional grab loops at the sides, and also at the top and bottom (real usefull when laying it in and taking it out of the canoe). But, almost always, if there are the fold-flat sturdy plastic handles, people just go for them because you get such a good grip. Although not necessary, they certainly are a bonus to have. Nice to have them around camp too... the barrel does have to be moved around. So, we use handles when not actually carrying it on our back.

Handsome_Bill wrote on Mar 10^th, 2007 at 11:50am:

How does that sit in a boat? I lay my barrels down low between thwarts. .

Sits anyway you want. You can lay them down or have the pack sit up. They fit in a Granite Gear Superior one pack or similar CCS, Kondos (Kondos makes the one specifically for carrying the barrels I linked to earlier) etc....With the two barrels it is just like another pack in the canoe and I treat it just like I would any other pack.

Tim

I have to admit the double barrel system from Redrock really got my attention.
As a very loyal drybag user, this just might be enough to lure me into another direction.
Thank you for this link. :D [smiley=dankk2.gif]
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SW :)

Just got the kid down for a nap  :) So went to the basement and measured the 30L opening. I was just shy of 10 inches across---I bought my barrels from flpaddler's link in 2001, so it is possible they changed the dimensions.

Tim

Lets see Redrock Superpack, 2 30L plus pack $240. Northwestcanoe 60L with harness,$144.
Same capacity, $104 less, HMMMM!

cecarboy

NOT affiliated, just know math!!

Guess I dont know math, $96 less!

cedarboy

cedarboy wrote on Mar 11^th, 2007 at 4:11am:

Lets see Redrock Superpack, 2 30L plus pack $240. Northwestcanoe 60L with harness,$144. Same capacity, $104 less, HMMMM! cecarboy NOT affiliated, just know math!!

or you could do it the way I did. Already had a good pack similar to the Kondos Redrock uses----then bought 2 30L barrels from US plastics for a total of $40 (I know they are a little more expensive now) that fit into my pack. Savings of $104 from Northwest and $200 from Redrock. Also you have to factor in comfort---I think the 2 30L are more comfortable to carry---but that is a personal preference, I'm sure others may disagree.

By the way the guys at Northwest canoe are first rate---if anyone needs repair work done on their canoe they come highly recommended. I know shameless plug but they treated me right  :).


Tim

TimA...those US Plastics barrels....the 8 gallons.....what is their widest diameter?  and what pack of yours do they happen to fit in?  got a tape measure?    :)   Jan

cedarboy wrote on Mar 11^th, 2007 at 4:11am:

Lets see Redrock Superpack, 2 30L plus pack $240. Northwestcanoe 60L with harness,$144. Same capacity, $104 less, HMMMM! cecarboy NOT affiliated, just know math!!

Exactly. The 2 barrels in a pack might make sense if you already have a large spare pack. But I'll take the single barrrel method with a dedicated harness (Headstrong or Ostom) designed for that purpose. Costs less and feels good to carry.

Thank you all for the great input so far.

quote: old_salt
"Another option to the barrel system is the airtight plastic box that Gander Mtn sells for about $30. One of those will feed 4-6 for a week or so."

old_salt what is the plastic box at Gander Mountain you were talking about? Do you have a link to a picture or brand name?


Also I have read about people using the "Vittles Vaults" sold by pet stores. Do these containers stand up to the same abuse as the blue barrels? And is the lid as secure as the blue barrels?

wrote on Mar 11^th, 2007 at 5:33am:

TimA...those US Plastics barrels....the 8 gallons.....what is their widest diameter?  and what pack of yours do they happen to fit in?  got a tape measure?    :)   Jan

Widest diameter is 11 1/2 inches in the middle--narrows down to just under 10" opening. I put it in an older style Granite Gear Superior one pack. If you put two barrels in a pack you will definitely want to use one with the hip belt and suspension system to be able to vary/re-balance  the load. The dimensions for my pack are 20l x25h x11w. I mentioned this before, but the newer GG packs are made with a newer material and don't seem to be as good of fit as I have with my older pack. I'm sure any of the manufacturers make something that would work.

I've also toyed with the idea of bringing one 30L barrel in a pack (since that is all I really ever need for food)---then just putting it in the center of the pack and loading other gear around it to keep it balanced. Then about any pack would work for it---using the two barrels it is just too easy to keep the load balanced is why I haven't tried it yet.

The barrel harness is not an option for me because I already have pack that works (don't want to spend extra on harness) and I like the versatility of having the barrel in an actual pack because other stuff can go in the pack besides what fits in the barrel.

Tim

wrote on Mar 11^th, 2007 at 6:15pm:

is the lid as secure as the blue barrels?

mntrehgr,

Among the good advice given here and in the other thread (like avoiding the temptation to prepare food on barrel lids) I have to add that the lid mechanism on the blue barrels, as good as it is, is the weak spot in the sense that the lever may be flipped opened by animals. But not if you place a simple cotter pin through the aligned locking holes in the steel closure ring. A simple thing but not everyone does it. Here's how it looks on my barrel.

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Hi folks. I realize this thread has been going for a while but I just registered as a member today and wanted to share some barrel info that may be helpful.  I just ordered some 9.5 gallon barrels with gasketed, screw on lids from Paul@ontariorecycling.com  These would be slightly larger capacity than the 30L size. Physical dimensions were listed as 18" high by 14" in diameter. They looked good and were certainly priced right at $9.95. If you're interested, you can contact him direct or search "plastic barrels" on ebay.

I've never used barrels but I do believe that there are a lot of good things to be said for them and I may change over to them this year.  Just as an aside I think I wold prefer the molded in handles.  I've handled 55gal plastic drums with the molded in handles and they are comfortable and have enough tumblehome (for want of a better term) to get a good grip.  I would be concerned with the outside handles from several standpoints.  Dropped wrong onto the sole of the canoe the handle could cause structural damage.  The handle appears to be mechanically attached thereby causing stress points at the attachment points which will ultimately fail since the load on the rivets is eccentric resulting in a mechanical advantage.  I believe that the external handles would also be a nuisance in handling because inevitably I seem to have things like that interfere with each other at the worst possible time(blame that on Murphy).  I also suspect that some (not anyone here, ever) might actually use the handles to hang the barrels thereby hastening their demise (the barrels' that is).  Its just unnatural ;)

HA!  i got one of those about 4 weeks ago bell!  heavy duty...ill like it.  the screwtop is kind of a pain in the a** tho.  that plastic is soooo slippery, its hard to get a good leg grip to screw/unscrew the top.   Jan

Thanks Jan. I haven't received mine yet but I was happy to see your opinion. If they are slippery that just means Yogi & BooBoo will have to work harder. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Tim,

Are you sure the seals on the US Plastics drums are air/water tight?  I'm thinking about picking up a couple of 30l barrels myself and their price is definitely the best I've found but the website states they are for solids only so that got me wondering about the seal.

Thanks

I don't think any band-clamped drum is considered liquid tight.

For liquids, closed head drums with a bung are probably a better seal.

I picked up a drum off a fella in OK on ebay - not blue, and kinda tall & skinny, but total cost was around $24.

  (You need to Login or Register is the same thing from the same guy.

The barrels sold by places like Piragis are marketed as being airtight and waterproof.  I emailed US plastics about their 8 gal open head drums and below is the response I got back:

"Hello

That gaskets helps to make a tight seal, but we do not guarantee that it it liquid or airtight."

 We are planning on going to a 30l 2 barrel system but it raises one primary question for me.  How do you insulate your cold stuff?  If you just use a plastic barrel it would seem that not only would it sweat a lot but also it wouldn't last that long.  I was considering using one orange barrel of the type you susually see at sporting events for liquids since they are insulated.  Has anyone done that and is there a harness that would fit that if I want to take just one?

Guurn

We use a small soft sided cooler in our barrel for the cold stuff, seems to work fine and it conforms to the shape of the barrel. You can find these almost anywhere.

cedarboy  :) :)

Handsome_Bill wrote on Mar 9^th, 2007 at 11:12pm:

[quote author=mntrehgr link=1173456405/0#0 date=1173456404]I have both a 60 and 30 litre barrel. Highly recommend them. I also use Headstrong harnesses for their cost/quality/comfort equation. Ostrom is a more costly choice, the Cadillac of harnesses I would say.

Other than being more expensive, is there anything that makes the Ostrom harness "the Cadillac"? I do not mind paying more for an item if it is truly better. At least you can then attempt to justify the extra cost. However, visually and conceptually it appears to me that the Headstrong harness is more comfortable.

Also, if anyone has used Ostrom's barrel organizers I'd be interested in your opinion on their usefulness. TIA!

I used a friend's Ostrom Voyageur in Wabakimi last year - it was really nice. I think the big thing with the Voyageur is that it's heavily padded, which is nice on your back. However, for my money, I would probably buy the Headstrong. The Headstrong looks equally well built and designed, and is ~$60 cheaper. Plus it also gets very high marks from everything that I've read.

I also liked the barrel organizers. However, for the money I think you could use nylon stuff sacks just the same. I would get different colors - dinners in blue, lunches in green, etc.

Ranger

plafromboise wrote on May 18^th, 2007 at 7:45pm:

Handsome_Bill wrote on Mar 9th, 2007 at 11:12pm: [quote author=mntrehgr link=1173456405/0#0 date=1173456404]I have both a 60 and 30 litre barrel. Highly recommend them. I also use Headstrong harnesses for their cost/quality/comfort equation. Ostrom is a more costly choice, the Cadillac of harnesses I would say. Other than being more expensive, is there anything that makes the Ostrom harness "the Cadillac"? I do not mind paying more for an item if it is truly better. At least you can then attempt to justify the extra cost. However, visually and conceptually it appears to me that the Headstrong harness is more comfortable. Also, if anyone has used Ostrom's barrel organizers I'd be interested in your opinion on their usefulness. TIA!

Ostrom uses a lot of padding and their build quality is excellent. For those reasons they are ahead of most other harnesses out there. But for me, it's hard to justify the price. I think Headstrong has enough padding too. I don't have the opportunity to compare them side by side but am going from memory. Headstrong's design is unique to itself though. Main support webbing loops around the base of the barrel just like oldtime tumplines would, so it's a very intelligent design. I own a 60 litre model and am getting a 30 litre model next week to replace an unpadded, no-name harness I have.

Ostrom's purple barrel "cooler" is absolutely great. I use it as a pantry for all those items that you need to get to often. If you trip with a barrel, this will make it much, much easier to use. It's sized to fit a 60 littre barrel only. Again, why does it cost so much though? Not sure how effective it would be as a cooler as the insulation is not very good. The barrel organizers they make (with no lids) don't make sense to me. Tip the barrel on its side and everything is spilled. I hear Headstrong is developing their own barrel pantry so it will be nice to have some choice.

Not to hijack the thread, but the question is related to blue barrels.  My brother moved into an apartment where the previous tenant  left a barrel and lid, but no clamp to lock the lid down.  Anyone know where I could get one and roughly how much.  The barrel is the 30l.  Thanks.

mn_paddler wrote on May 20^th, 2007 at 5:20pm:

Not to hijack the thread, but the question is related to blue barrels.  My brother moved into an apartment where the previous tenant  left a barrel and lid, but no clamp to lock the lid down.  Anyone know where I could get one and roughly how much.  The barrel is the 30l.  Thanks.

you could try:

30 Litre lever lock closure ring - $10.00 CDN

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scroll down to the bottom of the "packages and parts" page
they say they have locations in both Canada and the USA

Anyone know what happened to Headstong? I wanted to purchase one of their 60L harnesses this weekend and their website is gone. And, it seems like all of the resellers are out of stock. If someone knows where I can pick one up, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction. TIA.

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[quote author=Jim J Solo link=1173456405/40#40 date=1209423674]   (You need to Login or Register
That was their site. Now all I get is a placeholder full of ads.

Hmmmm, I clicked on the link and got to here?

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[quote author=solotripper link=1173456405/40#42 date=1209424413]Hmmmm, I clicked on the link and got to here?

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Very strange. That link worked and now the main site is resolving correctly for me as well. Yet, when I attempted to visit the site just a few minutes ago it went to a domain parking site. I had even tried it earlier at work and got the same ad filled site. Oh well, I'm glad they are not gone and that the site is working for me once more.

I have a 60l barrel and a headstrong harness It works great. The red dividers or pouches are worthless as iI tip barrel on its side. The cooler works ok as long as you wrap frozen food in newspaper. keeps longer and you have paper for a fire. I'm still trying to figure out how to get all my gear into one barrel though.For one trip portaging.

BlueBarrel/Gear; Hard to really get everything you want into 1 60L barrel. Either eliminate some stuff or plan on an extra drybag of gear too. Also try not putting stuff into gear bags so you can smash gear down together more compact. Leave the gear bags on top under the lid so you can sort stuff as you unpack it.

BlueBarrel/Food; The reusable canvas shopping bags work good for me when I'm using the barrel for food. Seems that what you want is always on the bottom. Plus the bags keep stuff organized. I know opposite of the gear idea, but the food is always going right back in each time. Gear gets unpacked once and repacked once, food is always getting sorted though.

BlueBarrel/Flying; Don't forget the small plastic tiewrap under the lid seal. Otherwise you'll you find your barrel sucked flat from the air pressure change at the baggage pick-up.

I'm Trying to get all gear into 1 barrel and 1 small soft sided cooler. If I use dehydrated food It will all fit in one barrel :) Now If I could lift it :o

Try more dried spinach or maybe one of the those portage monkeys that use to carry the Aluminum.

Seriously,   I'm trying to solo trip, single portage  I can get everything in 1 barrel It's heavy though. This might be off topic but how do people do it? :-? Dried spinach sux.

I am a voyager short and stout (must be sung). Think about carrying a ninty pound bale without any fancy dancy harness and in mocks.... It helps me ;) Fishpig everything is better with butter-dont knock it until you try it-good in soups and think filo ;D Really I have to do two overs and three overs.....my sub forty pound 8 year old can only manage paddles and jacket so I get the rest-----TOTALLY OK-Last year was the first time in years that I got over in one...rested for a week, eating gourmet with my girlfriend on Cherokee....but I think she was trying to impress me ;)on that one portahge and the time before that was 15 years ago on the Jap./Paulsen portage solo (does it count if one stops for water....?thats a good one). EVery time I come back I dump the stuff I did  not use(with reason not stupidity)....I have never been able to get ahead of the game however, comando is just not 4 me. Here's to being off topic! Sorry if I bummed any persons out!

Not bummed! maybe I should enjoy the exercise and carry some of the finer things in life, like real food. Not worry about how fast I can go, It's ime to relax right? SMELL THE ROSES Ive never considered, phyllo mmmm. so much to learn. ::) A person gets used to the fast paced life style, and brings it up to the woods with them. Run Run Run. I need to slow down. Permanantly.

Solo is tough to one pass. Some might but not me. The only way one pass ever sounded feasible to me was 3 in a tandem. But I'd hate to travel that way in a canoe. Over the course of your day you'll travel farther and enjoy yourself more by just backing down your pace a tick.

If you have a GPS, try paddling at what you think a fast pace is. Note the speed. Then try a very relaxed paddle, but keep it moving. Note your speed. You'll probably find you're only going 5 minutes slower per hour for the same distance. Not enough difference and the overall effect on how you feel at the end of the day and the next is huge. That's my feelings about portage style too. But to each their own.

If you have a small barrel too. Carry it with your canoe and keep the large barrel for gear and carry it separate. Then go ahead and bring some luxuries, but not too many either.

I use to focus on the miles.....the boy really slowed my pace and made me work harder. It opened a lot of doors for me. Love the pace, love the two/three/four overs. Loved carrying him on my shoulders with the pack and then back over again to get another...had to stopp doing this when he was 7...The things that we have seen, the photography ( the frames that I have filled simply because I have seen "it" from a different angle), he is bomber at finding those strawberries too.....must be the angle. If I wanted to go fast I would have to dump the gormet thing, fishing, stoves, the photoes, and on and on-Why then go? :-? $ us...GOALS what is it about for you....your group....what are you looking to share with your chums? Is it a miles trip? Is it a speed trip? IS it a one over trip? ;)

Fishpig wrote on Apr 18^th, 2009 at 5:32am:

Not bummed! maybe I should enjoy the exercise and carry some of the finer things in life, like real food. Not worry about how fast I can go, It's ime to relax right? SMELL THE ROSES Ive never considered, phyllo mmmm. so much to learn. ::) A person gets used to the fast paced life style, and brings it up to the woods with them. Run Run Run. I need to slow down. Permanantly.

JJS has the right idea IMHO. Most of us solo paddlers are 2x portagers.
The reasons for double portaging are many, personal safety is probably the best, at least for me.
IF your determined to single portage, and you've cut down your gear and food as far as you feel comfortable with, then the only other thing you can do, is get yourself stronger. Not many of us have jobs that require us too carry 100# give or take across rough terrain in difficult/wet conditions. You can do squats at the gym, build your legs up, and hike with full pack for a few miles every night to build your endurance, but depending on your age/over-all physical condition, and your genetics, your only going to get/want too get so strong?
Try this, pick a distance, say a 1/4-1/2 mile, and time yourself walking it both single and double portage. I'll be willing too bet, the difference between the two times isn't as much as you think? Unless you can cross a portage at a decent speed, without resting single load, your really not gaining much time. The wear and tear, safety issues and time recuperating all figures in the mix. IF you can go single, non-stop, and be ready to paddle at the end, more power too you ;)
I don't think many here can, and most of us have found "Smelling the Roses" is a very good thing ;D

Nothing like the fragrance of the roses ;)i remeber having a camper break a foot on a cedar root with a heavy pack that they refused help with...that was the end of the trip for him....a solo enterprise is a whole different twist on the senario. I am in constant motion, constantly lifting, and on all sorts of terrain....and I am still a two/three....over tripper-with a kid. Speed kills ;) but I am so darn worried that if i stopp I am going to seize up ;D so I just push a littler harder that a happy medium ::)and sprint from my age ;)So much for the blue barrels yeh!

I guess I"ll get a 30L barrel for food then. Is there a decent harness for the little barrel?  On the last trip, my wife and I went to Lac La Croix via moose river (in 2 solos) we had 3 packs and a barrel. A guy blew by us in a Magic and 1 BIG pack. He had a graphite kayak paddle and CCS splash covers, so I thought mmmmm nice set-up. I said howdy when he went by, he looked at me like this >:( . Sorry for wrecking your solitute dude! Anyways, I appreciate all the advice. 8-)

Fishpig wrote on Apr 19^th, 2009 at 6:00pm:

I guess I"ll get a 30L barrel for food then. Is there a decent harness for the little barrel?  On the last trip, my wife and I went to Lac La Croix via moose river (in 2 solos) we had 3 packs and a barrel. A guy blew by us in a Magic and 1 BIG pack. He had a graphite kayak paddle and CCS splash covers, so I thought mmmmm nice set-up.

Do a gear search under barrells/harness/food packs, and we've had some lengthy discussions on the subject. I believe "some" of the barrel fans have carried their 30l barrels in designated food packs, like the Granite Gear/ similar packs? Gives you more options IF you want to try something besides the barrel?
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You might want to consider the overall weight of the barrel/harness set-up verses a traditional soft side pack.....which is lighter. Just think that you maybe able to cut more weight in your search for the one over and such...Just a thought.

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This is the barrel setup I use Ostrom Harness. It is great. I have a waterproof compression bag for my sleeping bag, which straps on top of barrel. I got everything I needed for 2005 Bushwhackers Jamboree in this setup.

I just bought a pop-up cooler for the inside, it fits perfect with room around the outside for other items. Works great.

  (You need to Login or Register but not the exact cooler I bought from Walmart. Mine is actually made by California Innovations.

Troy

Hey Troy and all-have you every done the weight conparison? I get that the barrel gig maybe a more durable way of going over the long haul, esp. if one is not handy with a needle and such. Outright....what are the pro and cons? I am a smaller framed person and do Ok with a stuffed Quetico Pack by GG. Why would one want to make a transittion to this style of pack....very curious about them with all the dialog.....Are there other sources for the barrels locally?

"what are the pro and cons? I am a smaller framed person and do Ok with a stuffed Quetico Pack by GG. Why would one want to make a transittion to this style of pack....very curious about them with all the dialog.....Are there other sources for the barrels locally?"

re-read the hang vs hide threads - the main reason (I think) that people switch to barrels is that they don't feel a need to hang thier food pack, just hide the more or less airtight barrel in the brush near camp.  I haven't really looked at the barrels much, but I don't see that they are bear-proof - a determined bear can get in if he wants to, though a barrel, out of its harness, is a lot harder for a bear to take away than a pack he can just grab by a strap.

Kind of a Canadian thing too, where they tend to do more river tripping than lake tripping - the barrels are waterproof, more or less, and will float better than a pack;  except that after some time, the rubber seals will deteriorate and the barrels can/will leak if they take a ride down the river.   So if you trip with people who use barrels a lot, then you are likely to do the same.

Mad Mat-thanks for the info I can do the weigh comparison on my own. I know that i can keep the old style packs just as dry as a barrel, can sew too, so mass of systems is of interest to me. The other question that I have....it appears that the barrels are attached via two ladder buckle fitted straps-is this the case-or am I missing something.

    I have same setup as woods walker, with a twist.  I put  2" extruded foam in the base, made a mold that matched the diameter of the opening, filled the outside of the mold with "Great Stuff" and pulled the mold when the foam was set.  To this you can add plugs of extruded foam to separate items.
    If you carry frozen items this works very well.  Dry ice adds to the length of time things can be kept.  
    As an aside the barrel helps keep the fragile items safe.

Cool and homemade cooler :)

Don't want to highjack this thread or anything...
but I just want to steer back to the original question...
I am going on a canoe/camp trip with three friends this summer. The four of us will be staying at Algonquin for four, or very likely 5 days.

Would you recommend the 60L or 30L food barrel?
Our clothes, tent, and sleeping bags will be in dry bags in our packs. The food barrel will be just for food, and possibly small items like bug spray. We will not being taking along a stove.

So, for four teens for for 5 days, a 60 L or 30L?

I use the 60 for everything, after food is in place, if there is room I will put in pots, pans, cups & everything else related to cooking. As long as the barrel wieght dont get too heavy... I keep adding & will actually eliminate bags as food supply goes down.

The 30 or 60 ??

depends on what you take & how much the 4 of you eat

When I was buying an outdoor motor years ago, a sage friend said, buy the biggest motor your boat will handle, or you'll always wish you did.

Same philosophy works with food barrels.  Get the 60.

prouboy

wrote on Apr 18^th, 2010 at 7:29pm:

Don't want to highjack this thread or anything... but I just want to steer back to the original question... I am going on a canoe/camp trip with three friends this summer. The four of us will be staying at Algonquin for four, or very likely 5 days. Would you recommend the 60L or 30L food barrel? Our clothes, tent, and sleeping bags will be in dry bags in our packs. The food barrel will be just for food, and possibly small items like bug spray. We will not being taking along a stove. So, for four teens for for 5 days, a 60 L or 30L?

I'd go with the 60l, better too much room than not enough.
Algonquin is notorious for bear issues. Stash your food barrel away from camp, away from obvious animal trails or hang outside camp.

Blue barrels are NOT bear proof, a point I'm assuming you already know ;)

Yeah, 60L.

Why no stove?  You're adding up to an hour to the cook time of every hot meal plus the need to gather firewood regardless of how crappy the weather is plus the need to douse the fire.  You could get caught in a fire ban situation.  You could get caught in a downpous situation with firewood sucking large.  Stove is required gear imo.  A tent is optional, a stove is not.

I love fire, good old caveman TV.  Sometimes it's not worth the effort.  I like my coffee hot & ready in under 15 minutes from morning's first ball scratch.

OK, I'll be a revisit contrare (not sure that's a aword, but it sounds good).  I like the two 30s packed inside a kondos pack.  Reason: 1) It is easier to find what you are looking for if you pack the barrels strategically  2) It is easier to wrestle two smaller barrels than one larger.  3) Two barrels mean two seats in camp. 4) In camp (if you stash), 'stash' your barrels apart at night.  If the bruin gets barrel "#1", you'll most likely still have barrel "#2" that he never saw.   :)

I've always thought blue barrels were a misplaced attempt at being responsible; inconvenient at best, yet a step up from the norm. That said, I do believe Bart just made the most succinct pro argument for two 30's that I will ever see.

It gets kinda pricey that way though doesn't it?

I like the two seat idea of the two 30's. If you go that way just make sure to pack them the same weight all the time or the pack will be a pain on portages.

BTW... I don't stash my barrel in the woods anymore, I strap it to a tree in camp & hang my pots & pans from it for an alarm system... as mentioned before they are NOT bear proof, but are scent proof. So unless a bear has found food in a barrel before it will not associate the barrel with food.

Just don't use it to cook on & I also agree that a stove is required gear... wouldn't consider a trip with out one.

Troy

Woods Walker,
I'm with you on the blue barrel cutting down on a bruins interest level due to being airtight ("the eagle saw it, the deer heard it, the bear smelled it".........indian proverb) but to keep it in camp still raises the red flag for me, alarm system or not. A big determined bear is going to ignore you and your alarm. Been there, done that.

If that were my system I would set the barrel out of the immediate campsite, probably not far, and slap a black stuff sack over it. Of course it would look so much like a stump you would probably want a small strip of orange survey tape in the tree above so in those predawn morning starts you can find it easy.

(Instead of the survey tape I use a reflective "runners safety band" so my light hits it in the morning, attaches via velcro).

AND, you gotta have a stove. Bring it, you don't have to use it.

mastertangler wrote on Apr 21^st, 2010 at 11:54am:

Woods Walker, ...but to keep it in camp still raises the red flag for me, alarm system or not. A big determined bear is going to ignore you and your alarm. Been there, done that...

Well the pots & pans are to wake me up, not scare a bear... I am a bear hunter, so I have dealt with them at bait stations & they are more scared of me then I am of them.... if it doesn't smell like food or look like food they loose interest fast when they get yelled at.... most can be scared off even when they are on a bait eating. Alot of the encounters are over-exaggerated.

I bring the barrel to keep my food & cook gear clean, dry & easy to get at. I have had more of an issue in the past with mice & chipmunks eating holes in food packs or food containers. The barrel fixes that.

Bears don't worry me much.

Troy

WW
Your mostly probably right. Ever since I read a few books on bears prior to heading into Glacier I developed a new perspective. I've had 4 close encounters including a blackie in Glacier which I had to convince to leave the cooking area. 2 were in canoe country which were habituated bears and were immune to yelling etc.

Your right on the button with odor control. If they can't smell it they don't usually mess with it. They are very much like a dog in that respect. The first thing your dog does every time you greet is to smell you and confirm it's you. A bears world is its sniffer. A blue barrel, if sealed properly, should reduce problems :question

While I'm not paranoid or fearful to venture into the woods alone (for several years I spent the fall and early winter months all day everyday off-road in the backcountry) I have certainly developed a heightened realization of their potential to cause problems.  

Woods Walker, you are right on the mark as to the real reason why we use blue barrels these days.  It really isn't bear control, (although we do separate the barrels at night to prevent total thievery) it is more to keep the mice and squirrels at bay.  Over the years, we have had more issue with mice chewing holes into otherwise good packs and spoiling food.  No more with the blue barrels.  I also echo your idea of a clean camp.  No dirty dishes at bedtime.  I don't want camp swarming with mice and other varmits (including bears) licking the plates, pots and pans.  

We use the blue barrels exclusively for food.  In camp, we have a mesh 'dish rack' that we use to hang and store washed dishes where they hang and dry and are easily accesible.

Anyway...