Food is always hung and away from camp. No sense in taking any chances I don't eat fish.

The search police called and you have been issued a forum violation.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Quote:


Perhaps your talking out your rear end again?

Please be sure to let me know when your team of flunkies reinvent the wheel.

You gotta call off the dogs on this one, PJ.  It's always so much fun when it's an issue like this that is important to everyone and so many people are fanatical that their way is the only way!

Call these topics "phoenix" as they arise from the ashes again and again.

Me?  I quit hanging more'n 20 years ago and have yet to have a problem.  I think choosing the right campsite is the best bear deterrent there is.  If I ever camp in an area that has signs of recent bear activity you can be sure of 2 things:

1.  I will use pots and pans to set up a bear alarm.

2.  There is no better unoccupied campsite that was within reach before full dark set in.

I refuse to hang a pack unless there are trees around that will allow me to hang the requisite distance off the ground, below the tree limb, and away from the tree trunk (10 feet, four feet, and four feet, respectively).  I find such trees only occasionally.  Anything else is a bear pinata.  Hanging also allows maximum odor dispersal by any breeze which can call a bear right into camp.  Then there's the problem of leeches, toothpaste, deodorant, scent-impregnated baits, the landing net, etc., etc., etc.  While  having a bear get into these items is decidedly less catastrophic than a bear in the food, all of these could also attract a bear's interest.  Far better to just pick a campsite that bear are unlikely to visit in the first place.

But that's just me and I'm not out to convert anyone.  Hang 'em if you want to.  I will admit the bear barrells are intriguing, but most are too big or too small to fit with my packing system.

My reply won't be found under the old, stale, "Bear
Proofing" thread  .

I have always hung my food and have never had a
problem (a good reason not to change). But... from this
year on I will (maybe) always pack my food in surplus,
airtight, aluminum 20 lb. naval powder kegs. Each keg
should hold about 20 lbs. of food and still float (a fetish
of mine). I painted four of them various shades of dark
green, so bears won't be able to see them (but maybe I
will). I will cleverly hide them away from camp and
securely cable them to trees.

Tune back in late August to see if this was a good idea,
or not (I am not sure if bears know about wing nuts  ).

-aj

Quote:


PJ:  Point well taken, and I agree. That is what I try to do,
but I am weak and lazy and get sucked into new (old)
threads too easily.

If you or db or anyone else wants to move my garbage
about powder kegs to a different, more appropriate,
thread, I would have no complaint.

-aj

Quote:



Just be careful of taking anything tongue-in-cheek from someone wearing, well, lets just not go there.

FWIW - I have had good success with the Ursacks but hang them as well.  I find that, if you are using a two rope system, and you secure the primary (anchor) rope high enough, you can find ample height and separation by securing the second rope to another tree.

TB

Stumpers.... I aint concerned about the research police... I enjoy their posts.... I just add my thoughts.... unlike you.

Frankly I'm bored with yer inability to share lately.  Have you been hanging by a rope? Yer certainly no diamond.

K

I'm with Snowdog on this one. A clean camp is the best deterent there is. I've also been 25+ years away from hanging packs. Too much work, and the entertainment value derived from watching bears swatting at the pack is minimal. I'd rather hang a stringer of fish from a tree. Less work, and it will definitely call the bears to camp, as well as iritate the gulls and any companions foolish enough to stay in camp with you. old salt

I live in California and backpack a lot and a few years ago Yosemite park made it mandatory for all backcountry travelers to use a bear canister(avalaible at REI and similar stores).There are 2 types,one is plastic and another is aluminum and both resemble a small beer keg.I read a magazing article where a guy had a grizzly bear that he used to test such gadgets and they did their job well but the bear was eventualy able to pop open the l lid on the plastic one.Now this was a semi tame huge 1000lb  grizzly that is an expert at breaking open"new designs" and it took all his strength  and a lot of time to open it.So for black bears it would be great.The only drawback is that they arent very big and for storing eggs and meat and large items it wouldnt be very good but for freeze dried foods and smaller items it would be perfect and you just leave it out.It is to clumsy for a bear to carry and after he fools around with it for a bit they get tired of it and move on.

Well said kennedy...but at the moment I must confess I'm a solo tripper.  My fish cut bait and is long gone with the loons singing, but out of reach.  These day's I look north fer good times again perhaps eh? Maybe...someday... I will bring sunshowers along again... I miss them days.

K

Also thanks to everyone that responded to my poll

I searched and didn't find any poll relating to that issue but if there is I guess I am guilty....what is my sentence?  If you would like to arrest me I will be taking out at Nym Lake the 29th.  I will go peacefully then but not before the trip is over!

Oh ...gosh....this one has got to go to favorite quotes. (My sides are spliting) Thank you so much Pajama Man... I fergives ya.

K

Hang 'em and hang 'em high.  The pulley system works great, much easier and faster.