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  1. #1
    Registered User wamodr01's Avatar
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    Default How much cord do I really need?

    I have the traditional 50ft. of para-cord at 3oz. The 50ft just seems a bit superfluous for my intended use (bear bagging). What could I reasonably get away with (30ft?) That would save me a little over an ounce in weight. It may not seem monumental, but "an ounce in the morning is a pound at night". I have also heard that masons line is strong enough to hold bear bag weight, have people had sucess with that, my line always frays and breaks apart on me with the friction against the tree.

  2. #2
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    50ft sounds reasonable for bear bagging. Another 50 ft. for clothes line, tent/tarp tie outs, and whatever else happens sounds reasonable. Braided mason's line looks like a good choice, Buy some take what you need , throw the rest in the hiker box. You'll probably replace it a few times. It's not rocket science.

  3. #3
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    I carry 50' of braided mason's line for my bear bag. Another 20' makes for a decent clothesline or general use cordage. You can use a few plastic bread bag closers (not the twist ties) as clothespins.

  4. #4

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    Mason's line is very light and can work, but there's a couple problems using it. It is so thin it can be difficult pulling over a tree limb due the line digging into the tree bark. Also you'll spend more time than you want keeping the line untangled.

    A better alternative is to use a dyneema line. 50 ft. of 2.2mm diameter is only 1.5 oz, and has a slick coating to make pulling over branches easy.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  5. #5
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    IMHO once you start going below 50 ft you will see an increase of the fiddle factor to make it work, but after a certain point of shortening it you will start severally limiting your options.

    I cut some of my 50 ft bearbag cord thinking it would be a good idea at the time. I think I cut about 15 ft of (for a clothes line). I regretted it. Trees are not standardized and you need some ability to cope with a hang that is reasonable to expect. You not only have to get your rope up and down, but over branches (which takes up additional cord), sometimes over more then one (which can take up a lot of line). Uneven ground is another problem as the spot you lower the line to may be quite a bit lower then where you threw it from. Extra rope is needed to tie what you need to to secure it.

  6. #6
    Registered User kayak karl's Avatar
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    Default

    i use zing-it. arbors use it. some cottage places sell it by the foot.
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

  7. #7
    Garlic
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    I'm sort of a gram weenie myself and that's one thing I would never consider cutting. There are so many potential repair uses in the field for a little extra cord.
    "Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning

  8. #8
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    50 feet. Not worth cutting corners here.
    HST/JMT August 2016
    TMB/Alps Sept 2015
    PCT Mile 0-857 - Apr/May 2015
    Foothills Trail Feb 2015
    Colorado Trail Aug 2014
    AT: Rockfish Gap to Boiling Springs 2014
    John Muir Trail Aug/Sept 2013

  9. #9

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    I use cord specifically for bearbagging because it is easier to retrieve it from the tree, it doesn't damage the tree bark, and, it is tanglefree line. I think ZPacks and AntiGravity Gear sell it.

    Arborists are tree specialists: they have the best cordage for bearbagging.

    I wouldn't go with less than 40' so why not 50' ?

    You will, no doubt, appreciate having a "clothsline" to air-dry wet clothing or gear or tarp or tent.
    Last edited by Connie; 02-27-2015 at 11:05.

  10. #10

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    Rather than cutting your paracord, switch which kind of line you use.

    You'll be able to keep the 50' length and it'll weigh less than 30' paracord (which 30' is to short)

    Many cottage shops sell bear bagging cord. Check out Zpacks, AntigravityGear, etc.

  11. #11

    Default

    I have long lines on my hammock tarp, just in case. Many times, after hanging the tarp securely, I just extend the leftover line to a nearby tree for an instant clothesline. Mostly I use it to air out my sleeping bag and pad after setting up camp.

  12. #12
    Registered User southern9's Avatar
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    +1 for zingit, la****, dynaglide. All lightweight and super strong.

  13. #13
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
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    I have 50 feet of flat spectra cord I got from Backpackinglight a few years ago. It's stupid expensive but very slick and never sticks into the bark of the tree, and it's hard to tangle. It weighs under 3 oz.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  14. #14
    Registered User Ktaadn's Avatar
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    I think you could get away with 40', but 30' feels like you are cutting too close. You figure you are going to tie a small loop on one end and you are going to throw it over a 15-20' high limb.

  15. #15
    Peakbagger Extraordinaire The Solemates's Avatar
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    i've never taken cord. dont see the need to carry something i never use.
    The only thing better than mountains, is mountains where you haven't been.

    amongnature.blogspot.com

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by The Solemates View Post
    i've never taken cord. dont see the need to carry something i never use.
    Then why are you getting involved in the discussion?

  17. #17
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    +1 on the Zing-it (2.2 mm) or Dynaglide (1.8 mm). Make the switch and you will never be satisfied with Para-cord again.

  18. #18
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
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    Hmm.. maybe I need to rethink what I'm doing. I don't know the measurement of how much I carry but I"m pretty sure it's less than 10' of Dynaglide. Shoestrings, guy line repair/replace... I don't hang my food. I guess I just always figure I can manage until I hit a town.

    Garlic: How much do you carry?

  19. #19
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    Lawson Equipment also has a new bear line out.

  20. #20
    Registered User Donde's Avatar
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    A little bit of 550 is always handy for all kinds of things, but if you want to cut weight on your bearbagging system you could try not sleeping in established campsites, and not cooking where you sleep, and then just sleep with your food.

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