mastertangler wrote on Aug 18^th, 2010 at 11:12am:

A tip for for anyone who paddles at night (or stashes there food instead of hangs it and tries to find it in the early morning darkness) is to hang a "runners reflector" from a limb. These are attached via velcro and glow with only the slightest light upon them.

I use a large scallop-sized solar, solar powered lawn light (light portion only) for this purpose.  To diffuse the light, I put it inside an translucent plastic tube (like Tang and Crystal Lite drink mixes used to come in--I typically use them for round cracker storage anyway) and sit it on a clear spot on the shore line (or bungee it to a tree limb).  Even this small amount of light is clearly visible from a VERY long distance away if it is dark out).  Then you don't have to rely on having ANY light at all to reflect off the strips.  Just make sure that you turn solar-panel-side-up during the day to get the battery recharged.

[At the risk of hijacking your thread] I also like solotripper's idea for food packs:  use a personal alarm if you are stashing your food pack (in camp or on a longer portage trail).  A google search produces several choices that produce a 120-130db alarm ... I may even go with one that has a flashing light source as an additional deterrent ... would also make the pack easier to find in the dark if its disturbed.  BTW:  For those planning a trip to WCPP ... don't count on finding trees suitable for hanging food packs.

As for hanging reflective strips from my stashed food pack ... if it makes it easier for ME to find it in the dark, doesn't it serve the same purpose for a curious bear?

dd