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?

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.

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.