Using a HD bucket to store food in?

Hi y’all! Looking to go up the Nose soon. I’ve seen several articles talking about using a bucket to transport food in. I have a Home Depot bucket that *seems* indestructible (after years of standing on them, mixing concrete in them, etc), but obviously concerned that it will explode and release all my food regardless. Anyone have any experience with this method? 

Are talking food storage against critters and bears. or as a substitute to a haul bag?

In terms of bear safe food storage, the home depot bucket will last about 0.5 seconds against a curious bear, get a properly rate bear safe container for that purpose, especially in Yosemite.

as to turning a HD bucket into a ridgid haul bag, id love to see how that jerry rig turns out, could be interesting.  just dont trust the existing metal handle.

1. Yes I have experience.

2. You need to remove the wire bail handle, strap up the bucket and lid with webbing.

3. This works well on steep stuff. I think the Nose would beat the shit out of a plastic bucket. 

Some people take one on steep routes on the right side but I would agree with the above post about it getting beat up on the nose. Also don’t forget that you have to carry it down. I’ve definitely had experiences with taking stuff up the wall that was ok but really sucked for the descent. You really want to be as light as possible for the east ledges. Trying to lug a huge bucket down would suck in my opinion 

Alex S wrote:

Are talking food storage against critters and bears. or as a substitute to a haul bag?

In terms of bear safe food storage, the home depot bucket will last about 0.5 seconds against a curious bear, get a properly rate bear safe container for that purpose, especially in Yosemite.

as to turning a HD bucket into a ridgid haul bag, id love to see how that jerry rig turns out, could be interesting.  just dont trust the existing metal handle.

Not for food storage; just hauling. I have removed the wire handle, but the consensus here seems to point to using one only on overhanging routes.

We used a smaller bucket as a poop tube on the Salathe and it was barely hanging on by the end - learned to never do that again. 

This sounds pretty unnecessary. I’m not really understanding why you can’t just put your food in a dedicated stuff sack inside your haulbag like most people do. I’m imagining orange plastic skid marks getting left up the wall. 

Crackers, fruit, vertical vacation type stuff. But the nose isn’t that kind of route.

Mine’s white, btw

You certainly don't want this thing for the Nose.
The Nose should take you three or four days at the max. You need to be light and fast since there are so many other people on it. If you were taking a leisurely five or six day journey up Mezcalito, sure go for it.

This is a "big wall camping" type of thing. Nobody should go big wall camping on the Nose.