Anyone use a BV 500 in a ULA Circuit?

[saltysack]

Just got my BV500.....damn its big....trying to figure best way to pack it for my sept JMT hike....so far I've got my tent(LHG solong6) horizontal at bottom of pack with my compactor bag on top of tent...I can turn can horizontal but it's a tight squeeze...vertical is to tall...don't want to blow out pack seems....curious what others have had best luck with...going to do a few AT shakedown hikes before with this heavy a!! Can....I hate this can and haven't even used it!!!!


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[MuddyWaters]

I doubt the can is going horizontal
Vertical works
Try putting can on top of clothing/insulation, then shove other stuff down side of pack next to can.
Things might need like raingear on top.

[cxrcr]

I used a Circuit last year with the same BV500 for the JMT last year. I put almost everything inside a compactor bag. Quilt on the bottom, BV500 on top of that with insulation layer and sleeping base layers on either side of it. Zpacks hexamid twin on top of everything but outside the compactor bag. Rain gear in outside mesh pocket with maps in ziplock, stove/pot in one side pocket and 1L gatorade bottle in the other. Plenty of spare room at the top of the bag that I started to leave the quilt less compressed on the bottom of the bag to fill it up better.

[saltysack]

Dumb question but u didn't put can in compactor bag....


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[fredmugs]

Not familiar with that pack but can you keep it empty (or put something really light in it) and strap it on top of the pack? I saw a few people doing that when I did my hike.

[Lyle]

What others have said. Clothes/sleeping gear on bottom, BV Standing above that, other things stuffed around the BV. As you consume your food, many things can pack inside the BV. Also, standing the BV allows you to open it to access food without fully unpacking.

[SouthMark]

Ditto to most of what others did. I put my down goodness (under quilt and top quilt) on bottom, BV500 standing vertical next, packed my sleeping clothes and hammock on each side of the BV500. Most everything else fit in the outside pockets.

[saltysack]

I put all things I want to stay dry in compactor bag. So don't have much else other than my neoair xlite...I think I've got it....
Solong6 at bottom, next compactor bag with all sleep gear and dry cloths. Last can on top on compactor bag with neoair folded against can against my back....


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[Maui Rhino]

I like to keep my tent near the top of my pack, so I don't have to unpack everything to get to it. Last August, as I descended from Muir Hut SOBO, it was obvious that a storm was building in the valley below me. My goal was to set up for the next pass the next day, and my bad knees make miles-long descents slow and painful, so I needed to go as far as I could before the train hit. I could see the lightning flashing, and each boom of thunder seemed to roll on for minutes as it echoed off the valley walls. When it started to look like going around the next little bend in the valley would put me right in the storm, I started looking for a campsite. Of course, now that I really needed a good spot, I had to hike another 20minutes to find one that was both flat and not in an area where water would pool. I finally saw a halfway decent spot, and dropped my pack. As I pulled out my tent, the first drops began to fall. By the time I had the first two stakes in, the sprinkle turned to a hard downpour. I set my tent up in record time, literally threw my pack in, and dove in, boots and all.... All in under two minutes from first seeing that spot. If my tent had been packed on the bottom, everything would have gotten soaked as I dug my tent out. My advice is sleeping bag/insulation on bottom, bear can on top of that, and tent/tarp and rain gear on top or beside the bear can, where it can be accessed without dumping everything. I fold my sleeping pad and place that against my back to help cushion the bear can. I started out carrying my can vertically, because it barely fit horizontally and I was worried about my pack seams. However, I soon switched to carrying my can horizontally (much more comfortable). I just took reasonable care when loading my pack and my pack seams held up fine.

[jimmyjam]

I would find a way to carry the tent on the outside of the pack. There's no reason to carry it inside your pack. I keep mine and my rain gear in the outside mesh pockets- SMD Starlite pack.

[saltysack]

Tent not in compactor bag...only reason at bottom fits horizontally so can can be in center of pack for better balance. Plan to do a few shake down hikes with it...all gear is mostly my std go to gear for AT except the bear can...


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[saltysack]

I would find a way to carry the tent on the outside of the pack. There's no reason to carry it inside your pack. I keep mine and my rain gear in the outside mesh pockets- SMD Starlite pack.

I feel safer with tent inside...due to abrasion or loss...it fits in side pockets...lil tight in back mesh with can inside..


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[MuddyWaters]

There is an advantage to having tent on top, or outside of pack , when you go to setup, especially in rain.

[saltysack]

Thx I packed bearvault in compactor bag w all sleep and down cloths around...folded neo air flat to provide alittle cushion to keep the round can off back and flat. Tent on top of can....I could put tent in side pocket but about 10" would be sticking out....lil nervous of falling out..... could use a small beener to secure to pack in event it fell from pocket. Thx sll


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[sintixerr]

FWIW, the Bearvault fits in the back of the Circuit, if you don't want to mess with it (as does, for that matter, the bearikade expedition)... I tent to hike like that, with my tent near the top, but everything else in one or more dry sacks....

[saltysack]

FWIW, the Bearvault fits in the back of the Circuit, if you don't want to mess with it (as does, for that matter, the bearikade expedition)... I tent to hike like that, with my tent near the top, but everything else in one or more dry sacks....

In the back mesh?


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[sintixerr]

In the back mesh?

Yep. Both are a tight fit, but I've done a full load out with both the bear vault and the bearikade in the back mesh - that's some amazing mesh. Whether you go that route or put them into the main bag is probably a matter of style and how you're weather protecting your other stuff, but just thought you might want to know it can work that way with the circuit.

[sintixerr]

Also, that's how I plan on doing the JMT when I start in July: I have the circuit, a bearikade, and the SoLong...actually, here, if you're interested: http://lighterpack.com/r/vavoh

[gbolt]

I just purchased and received a new ULA Ohm 2.0. In the packing directions (that are generic for three packs = Ohm, Circuit and CDT) it was stated that the packs are actually tapered to hold the Bearikade in an upright position in the pack. It was suggested that quilts or sleeping bags go in first then the bear vault on top with everything else around and on top. Just thought it was interesting that it is part of the instructions received inside the shipping box; for what it's worth.

[saltysack]

I just purchased and received a new ULA Ohm 2.0. In the packing directions (that are generic for three packs = Ohm, Circuit and CDT) it was stated that the packs are actually tapered to hold the Bearikade in an upright position in the pack. It was suggested that quilts or sleeping bags go in first then the bear vault on top with everything else around and on top. Just thought it was interesting that it is part of the instructions received inside the shipping box; for what it's worth.

Seems to fit good like this....I put my neoair xlite between my back and the bv500....hope to do a shake down in month or two to try out...


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