Guess what, look out, I'm going off on yet another rant about   (You need to Login or Register. ;)

Now, if the visual I get when I read this is correct, it sounds like the second picture on this page:
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I've seen pictures like this all over and it's JUST PLAIN WRONG! The tree on the left is passable depending on the orientation of the branches. The one on the right is what it sounds like these campers did. It's obviously wrong. Those ropes need to be wrapped AROUND the tree 15 feet high. You only need a tiny nub of a branch and it's best when it's pointing away from the pack and you wrap in the opposite direction. It's friction that supports it, not a branch. The branch is only used to keep the ropes up until you tie off the second one.

The second thing that sounds wrong to me was it doesn't sound like they ever tried to scare the bear off. The second group at least made some noise. Rocks to the face have worked for me in the past. Their fur is so thick hitting the body doesn't matter. One rock to the face worked for me on a solo once. He kept coming back into the campsite with every load I took to the canoe but would retreat when I returned for more stuff, rocks in hand. He once ran off with my spare paddle with me chasing him. (I was laughing as I ran after him.) Another time he ran off with my gas can - pfffft - audible displeasure with the taste... Another memorable moment for both of us I'd guess.

My bear was so persistent he swam to the mainland where I went to repack. It took him 5-10 minutes to swim there. I got him with one last rock about 10 feet from shore. He got out of the water, shook himself off, looked back at me and kind-of groaned before walking into the forest.

Anyway, that's how I dealt with the only persistent one I ever met. I'd do the same thing again and btw - he never even noticed my food pack hanging there. I even chased him a little further away than usual before I took it down. Your mileage may vary...

This has always been a pet peeve of mine because people don't realize they are hanging the food pack wrong.