View Full Version : Bear bags
Hello. My question is about bear bags. What is the best thing to use for one (bear bag that is). I have heard of some people using a waterproof stuff sack and just hanging it from a tree, and then I have seen the plastic, lockable, "bear proof" boxes, but d*mn that seems like a lot of weight to carry (the plastice ones that is). Thanks
rpenczek
08-14-2008, 08:56
I use a waterproof stuff sack that has a strap on the bottom end. I hang the bag from the bottom end so there is no chance of water getting in the top.
The bear vaults you note are really for out west or in treeless areas.
Plodderman
08-14-2008, 09:05
Just a water roof bag from Walmart, they also have a nice Nylon rope to hang it with. Never have a problem with water because I put each days food in a separate baggie.
Homer&Marje
08-14-2008, 09:51
I use a stuff sack, always have, If it's raining real hard sometimes I'll put my black trashbag around it, but otherwise I usually have all my food in plastic bags, waterproofed so it doesn't matter if the stuff sack gets wet.
take-a-knee
08-14-2008, 09:53
Walmart sells a package of three silnylon stuff sacks that have a dry-bag roll top that fastens with a fastex buckle. This provides a hanging loop. the largest of the three will hold 4-5 days of food. Learn the PCT method of hanging your bag, and keep it at least four feet from the tree trunk or squirels will jump from the tree to your food bag and have a feast. I use Gossamer Gear's 725# spectra for a hanging line, it is nice and slick and slides over the bark easily. Mountain Laurel Design also sells a good bag line. Para cord sucks for this application, it gets hung on the bark.
Along the AT, a stuff sack suspended from a tree works just fine.
However, in other places, like the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, bear canisters are now required. Bears figured out how to get bags off the bear lines.
I started using an old, not- waterproof- anymore sleeping bag stuffsack quite a few years ago. Water gets inside, but everything inside is in plastic zip locks, so it's no problem. I burned a hole in the bottom of the bag to let the water out, and haven't had any problems at all.
Delirious Nomad
08-22-2008, 21:15
Yes - I use a large silNylon bag that folds down on itself and buckles together for a waterproof solution that is lightweight. I also recommend using the PCT method for hanging. Here is one site that shows how:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bear_bag_hanging_technique.html
As long as you get the bag up high enough - it will be nearly impossible for a bear or any other critter to get to it, and this should be all you need to do on the east coast.
I use a Bearikade canister for out west and where canisters are required - they are the lightest ones but still add a couple pounds to the pack. One nice thing about the Bearikade is that it makes a nice camp stool to sit on for cooking/booting up, etc.:
http://www.wild-ideas.net/products.html
i follow pretty much what nomad said. pct method and my food (and cookpot/cup/spork/toiletries) go into a #4 OR dry sack
robmurphy
08-23-2008, 00:38
Probably dumb question, but can't mice run down the cord and get into the food sack? Maybe I'm paranoid because of not too much experience with being back East.
Delirious Nomad
08-23-2008, 17:01
Probably dumb question, but can't mice run down the cord and get into the food sack? Maybe I'm paranoid because of not too much experience with being back East.
With the PCT method you hang the bag over a high tree limb. it would be several feet down from the limb, several feet away from the tree, and several feet from the ground. I've never heard of a mouse, or really any other critters getting to the food sack when hung this way...
Has anyone run into problems with the PCT method for hanging?
MyName1sMud
08-27-2008, 18:22
I always just use a waterproof stuff sack myself. I think those plastic bear boxes are more for car camping than anything. I know I wouldn't want to carry one.
take-a-knee
08-27-2008, 23:41
With the PCT method you hang the bag over a high tree limb. it would be several feet down from the limb, several feet away from the tree, and several feet from the ground. I've never heard of a mouse, or really any other critters getting to the food sack when hung this way...
Has anyone run into problems with the PCT method for hanging?
If you hang it too close to the tree trunk, a squirrel can jump from the trunk to the food bag, I learned this the hard way.
stranger
08-28-2008, 08:06
I agree that the PCT method with a waterproof, seam taped, roll down stuff sack is the best way to go for hanging food. I've never had a problem using this method, and I can't see how a bear could get to your food if you do it correctly.
I used this method at Walnut Mountain Shelter earlier this year and our food was fine, where as people who camped a mile back to "avoid the bear" got raided, and when I started into Hot Springs the next morning I saw two food bags scattered along the trail. So hikers in front and back of us got hit - our food was fine, the PCT method is brilliant, you just need to remember to use a pretty high limb.
Pickleodeon
08-30-2008, 08:50
what happens when you can't throw to save your life, or your food? I'm a girl with a terrible throwing arm. I camped by myself and tried to hang a bear bag, I was unsuccessful, fortunately there were no bears in that area. Hopefully there will be other people hanging on my thru. Any suggestions? take up baseball?
You don't have to be a profession baseball player to throw a rock over a limb... it might look great to have a fast throw but a nice underhand toss will be more affective and not place emphasis on your lack of throwing ability. Though from the sounds of the trail for us next year I am sure you will always have one of us around to help out... see you in the spring.
Delirious Nomad
08-30-2008, 10:23
a potential alternative would be an Ursack:
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-catalog.htm
I've not used one myself, but read from others that they seem to work well.
take-a-knee
08-30-2008, 13:48
what happens when you can't throw to save your life, or your food? I'm a girl with a terrible throwing arm. I camped by myself and tried to hang a bear bag, I was unsuccessful, fortunately there were no bears in that area. Hopefully there will be other people hanging on my thru. Any suggestions? take up baseball?
You simply swing the rock sack ib about two feet of bag line underhand and time the release to toss it over the limb, it does take a little practice. You should practice this before your trip. I never take more than 2-3 throws. This won't work if you are directly under the limb, you have to be far enough back to provide a proper arc of trajectory.
what happens when you can't throw to save your life, or your food? I'm a girl with a terrible throwing arm. I camped by myself and tried to hang a bear bag, I was unsuccessful, fortunately there were no bears in that area. Hopefully there will be other people hanging on my thru. Any suggestions? take up baseball?
The easiest way that I know of to get the rope over a tree limb is to use a soda bottle (typically used as a water bottle) - adjust the weight of the bottle by drinking some of the water or pouring some water into the bottle, tie the rope onto the neck of the bottle (easier to tie than around a rock), and then throw the bottle overhand by hanging onto the neck of the bottle and give the bottle a good wrist snap at the end of the throw - this tends to be easier and more accurate than any other method that I have come across. Note soda bottles are tough so the is very very little danger to the bottle breaking or getting a hole. BTW the knot I generally use for this application is the constrictor knot - holds very well for this application.
Pickleodeon
08-31-2008, 07:51
hm, thanks. I'll have to try some of these methods.
Nearly Normal
08-31-2008, 17:30
what happens when you can't throw to save your life, or your food? I'm a girl with a terrible throwing arm. I camped by myself and tried to hang a bear bag, I was unsuccessful, fortunately there were no bears in that area. Hopefully there will be other people hanging on my thru. Any suggestions? take up baseball?
22 years old and healthy enough to backpack.
Practice.
i use a dry bag, but inside i used zip lock bags to keep myself organized but, over time, the dry bag got cut up and and the zip lock backs became necessary cause water got in
Homer&Marje
09-06-2008, 23:14
what happens when you can't throw to save your life, or your food? I'm a girl with a terrible throwing arm. I camped by myself and tried to hang a bear bag, I was unsuccessful, fortunately there were no bears in that area. Hopefully there will be other people hanging on my thru. Any suggestions? take up baseball?
Try tying about a 2 lb branch, kind of thick but short enough to control, and spin it underhand at about 2' length of rope.... practice this 8 or ten times, spin it fast and let it go at bottom of the down swing, best way to get momentum... my 13 year old brother in law, skinny as a twig figured it out in a few minutes
I always just use a waterproof stuff sack myself. I think those plastic bear boxes are more for car camping than anything. I know I wouldn't want to carry one.Well, there are many places you will not hike then, because they are mandatory in a lot of nice places to hike. I have been using my Bear Vault a couple of years now and love it. No hassles with hanging food, worrying about it, fetching it from the tree on a rainy morning, etc., etc, etc.
My bear vault makes a handy table to go with my ThermaRest chair, providing great creature comfort. I used to like to stay near shelters for the table and benches comfort, mainly. Now, it doesn't matter. Yes, a bear vault is a couple of pounds that is not absolutely necessary (unless hiking where one is required), but like many things each of us as individuals decide to carry that we don't have to, I find it well worth it.
mtnkngxt
09-07-2008, 07:51
Stuff sack and some line. I use the PCT method. Only problem I ever had was squirrels but theyd jump and miss. Provided entertainment.