Protecting food at night.

[Rains2girl]

My husband and I are in a heated debate about how to protect food from animals at night. Bear box or hang a bag? I'd like to know, specifically, what YOU do? We're hiking from Springer Mountain to Unicoi Gap in April.

[Creek Dancer]

I hang a bear rope using the PCT method. There is a certain section of the traill between Springer and Neels Gap where you are require to use a bear cannister if you camp. These rules were in effect during a specific time frame. Maybe someone else will chime in about the specific section. You can also do a search to find out more.

[yellowsirocco]

The food stays in my tent/hammock.

[daddytwosticks]

I bear bag plus use a critter-proof sack (Ursak Minir). Works great.

[Moose2001]

There are no bear boxes in Georgia.

[About_Time]

If I'm at a location that has a bear box, I use it. If the site doesn't have one and there is a decent enough branch to hang it using the PCT method then I hang it using an Ursack Minor bag with an odor proof liner bag. If no decent branch is available, then I don't want to donate it, thus I sleep with it.

[moldy]

On the AT in Ga each shelter has a set of steel cables that you should use to hang your food bag. Most people sleeping near a shelter will use the cables. If you camp away from shelters you should bring 50 feet of cord so you can hang your food bag from a tree.

[Spokes]

I hang my food (Knotless PCT method) normally but do use bear cables if provided. Be sure to use the snap hook on the cable to clip in your food bag to avoid the "shake down" so many bears have come to learn.

Cheers!

[Rains2girl]

Sorry, I made a mistake in my question: I meant bear "cannister" or hang a bag?

[MuddyWaters]

If I cant find a really good tree, it goes in the tent with me.
Really good trees can take a long time to find, and be a hundred yards from your tent site.

[Rains2girl]

Great! Thank you!

[Rains2girl]

I hang my food (Knotless PCT method) normally but do use bear cables if provided. Be sure to use the snap hook on the cable to clip in your food bag to avoid the "shake down" so many bears have come to learn.

Cheers!

Great video, thanks!

[brian039]

I don't think anyone uses a bear canister on the AT, they're too bulky and heavy. I'd say 75% keep it in their tent and 25% hang it when bear cables aren't available.

[Theosus]

I like the pct hang. Its pretty easy, and Ive used it twice. The biggest problem is throwing the rock. I have a perfect little rock sack, I store my cord in it.

[Theosus]

I don't know what the trouble is with making the little loop knot on the regular pct hang. He seems to have complicated it with the tube. I hold the line in my left hand, make the two loops with my right hand, move one loop behind the other, put a small stick in the hole, and let it go. you shouldn't have to "tie a knot" one handed.

[T-Rx]

If bear cables are available I will hang my food bag. If cables are not there then it goes in my hammock with me. I store my food in an Ursack with the odor proof bags.

[Rains2girl]

Looks like the Ursack with the knotless PCT is the way to go. Price is about the same as the canister without the bulk. Thanks everyone!

[Creek Dancer]

I like the pct hang. Its pretty easy, and Ive used it twice. The biggest problem is throwing the rock. I have a perfect little rock sack, I store my cord in it.

I do the same thing. I use a small mesh sack that came with a piece of gear and tied a piece of reflective cording to it.

[Rains2girl]

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