Bear Bag

[amanda810]

I only have one last piece of gear to buy before heading out for the trail. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on a waterproof bear bag.

Thanks!

[dessertrat]

You're carrying a bear with you? Very heavy and not very useful. Consider a porcupine or a marmot instead.

Also, bears are pretty waterproof. You don't need to put them in a waterproof bag.

[latte]

Just buy a small waterproof dry bag like a Sea to Summit 13 liter (20 liter if you have lots of food or bulky food). The top rolls down to seal it, and you can get the regular or sil-nylon version. Then all you need is a standard 50 ft nylon non abrading rope or paracord.

There will be times that you don't want to hang your bag from the shelter, like in bear country or in a mouse infested shelter.

[Cannibal]

Just use a sil stuff sack (light and cheap), but make sure it has the little strap on the bottom so you can hang it upside down.

[Colter]

Usually I didn't hang my food on the AT. When required, or when it seemed to make sense, I'd just line a stuff sack(s) with a plastic bag(s.)

[Kirby]

Buy a regular food bag(sea to summit, for example), and hang a bear line. If a bear really wants your food, that bear will get to it, even if you have a bear bag.

Kirby

[envirodiver]

I also use the Sea to Summit dry bag (w/ the rolldown top). Works great and has made it through big thunderstorms with everything staying bone dry. They are very lightweight also.

[ScottP]

You might want to get something made out of fleece, to serve as a more comfortable pillow. That's what you do with a bear bag, right?

[A-Train]

Why not just buy waterproof food and then you woulnd't have to worry about keeping it dry.

Duh

[ScottP]

I wasn't joking...

[superman]

Or double bag the plastic bag you get at the grocery store.

[A-Train]

I wasn't joking...

After the PCT, I agree with you!

I wouldnt hang my food if I did the AT again. GA has cables, the Smokies fences, the Shenendoahs poles, and Jersey, boxes. Otherwise hang it from the shelter hooks or sleep on it

[Strategic]

After the PCT, I agree with you!

I wouldnt hang my food if I did the AT again. GA has cables, the Smokies fences, the Shenendoahs poles, and Jersey, boxes. Otherwise hang it from the shelter hooks or sleep on it

Those are all true except one; SMNP has removed most of the chainlink fronts front the shelters (this a report I've read from several of this year's SOBOs.) I didn't see any mention or other provisions like poles or cables, but they wouldn't need to worry so much given that the bears are all tucked in by the time the SOBOs reach SMNP.

[ARambler]

Those are all true except one; SMNP has removed most of the chainlink fronts front the shelters (this a report I've read from several of this year's SOBOs.) I didn't see any mention or other provisions like poles or cables, but they wouldn't need to worry so much given that the bears are all tucked in by the time the SOBOs reach SMNP.

I don't remember any SMNP shelters that did not have cables. I almost always used them if they were there. If not I have rope and try to hang at least once a thru.
Rambler

[DuctTape]

Granite Gear and OR(Outdoor Research?) make some great stuff sacks. I still use a Granite Gear sack I bought back in 2001 that's seen many many nights.

Don't worry too much about the waterproofing, since most of your food will probably be repackaged in ziplocs/grocery bags anyway.

[minnesotasmith]

The mice break their teeth on them, too.

[Furlough]

Take a look at the Equinox Bear bag at the link below.

http://www.theoutfitteratharpersferr...ear-Bag/Detail

Furlough

[Tinker]

FWIW, I use a very old sleeping bag stuffsack for "bear" bagging (never saw a bear near my camp - I prefer to call it "critter bagging", whatever). It isn't even close to waterproof, as a matter of fact, I purposely burned a 1" hole in the bottom to let out any water passing through. My food is stored in zip-lock bags, so it doesn't matter if water gets into the critter bag. Cheap solution, and, if the critters get into it, no big loss (except for the food).

[jessicacomp]

You're carrying a bear with you? Very heavy and not very useful. Consider a porcupine or a marmot instead.

Also, bears are pretty waterproof. You don't need to put them in a waterproof bag.

oh shoot, having read this, I am going to have look for the receipt for my bear and see if REI will take him back!