How and what do you use when you hang your food from a tree? Do you have a pulley type system or the old rope over branch technique?

Rope over the branch technique for now. Maybe one day I'll upgrade.

pulley, but I don't hang any more.

For group trips I use a pulley. Easier to get up and doesn't leave rope burns on the tree limbs.

pulley

DOUBLE pulley set up, ...and a hand made, perfectly weighted, launch unit made of heavy duty PVC, filled with cement, and a metal eye in the middle. Works beautifully, if I do say so myself.

Simple rope over the branch technique. No muss, no fuss.

when i did hang i used a two pulley block and tackle setup.

ditto Kanoes and others. I still do though.

I use the same two pulleys as soledad. Then I use a carabiner to clip onto the pack.

Hang, using two tree system with pulley.
Boppa

Hang using two tree system with pulley.
Boppa

3 rope system.


2 ropes, pully, carabiner attached to food pack.



huge pain in the butt. I don't hang anymore, got a bear vault, and hopefully a blue barrel coming this week. bear vault was so much nicer than hanging/raising/lowering the pack.

Don't hang - never did. In the past, when tripping with others who liked to hang, I enjoyed watching the others search for the perfect tree with the perfect branch and then the perfect rock to toss over the branch and set up the rope and pulleys and hoist and center and tie off the ropes.... all while sipping from my flask and gazing across the water of whatever lake we were on. It was fun.

I have had squirrels and other varmints chew through a couple of bags/pack so I bought a bear vault and blue barrel a few years ago and have been footloose and fancyfree ever since.

Started with BearVaults. I've never hung a pack. I have hoisted a full sunshower and for that I used a carabiner with a plastic pulley on it. Better than dragging it over the branch but that was about it. Glad I have the BearVaults.

you started with bear vaults? i started with a cooler! LOL

and I started with a cardboard box! seriously.

If there is a good tree I throw a rope over with a rock. No pulleys. If no good tree I try not to worry about it. I have paddled the food pack out to a tiny island to leave for the night a time or two as well.

Started with a cooler and pots and pans stacked on a canoe turned over the cooler. Don't recommend that one...for multiple reasons.

Last trip used 30L blue barrels, worked great.

single pulley system. We pack light and it works great. takes about 10 minutes to find a tree, and hang the pack.

I stopped hanging food years ago. Too much work and can be difficult in many areas. Can damage trees, we've all seen it: broken branches, bits of rope left hanging.

I use ursacks (http://www.ursack.com/ursack-catalog.htm). Just use a carabiner to clip them to a tree and you're done.

In an area in which bears commonly raid camps, they might chew on the bag a little though I have never had this happen. And in an area like this, even hanging the food is not 100% safe.

Safest method is probably bear canisters but they are heavy and don't pack well.

Check out the picture. I have posted this before but we use bear vaults and sometimes take fresh steaks etc in CCS food pack with inner soft sided cooler. Most of food is in the bear vaults. That way no hanging and like many others as the trip progress's we combine vaults and use one of them for the garbage or put other items in them and condense as we go. Everyone has a different idea on this subject so do what works for you I would say. I own 4 bear vaults, two big and two small and can mix and match for about any trip.
SunCatcher

quote Appolion: " "

I've never seen a system like this - nice art work!

I've never come across a tree anywhere near a campsite with a limb that could support a food bag 10' out from trunk and 10' off the ground. Most that are even close to those specs have been virtually destroyed by other campers hanging packs that are too heavy. Maybe the eastern BW just has different trees...

When I used to hang, I almost always had to use two trees and plan it so the pack hung between them at the appropriate height.

SunCatcher - that's quite a kitchen you've got there!

quote Appolion: " "

This pulley arrangement is basically what I prefer to use. There are times, however, when I have to get more creative.

Two Ropes Two pulley block and tackle setup it makes it so easy very little effort to hang

Don't hang anymore. We use the blue barrels and cable lock them to a tree just outside camp. I just got myself a bear keg for backpacking but may also use that for canoe camping too.

I think the 2 rope and Pulley system is what I was thinking about doing.

This is how I see it happening: ( I plan on trying this out at home first).

Tie the first rope to the top loop on the pulley. Throw it over the branch and let it fall to the ground. Next, run the second rope through the pulley wheel and attach to food bag. Then lift first rope to about a foot below the branch it is looped over and tie it off to another tree or branch from same tree. This would make the pulley "stationary".Then pull on the loose end of the second rope until the food bag is at the correct level and tie off. There should be the ability to pull to one side or another ( if the bag is at the pulley or a knot is on the rope stopping further advancement) to keep the pack away from the main tree.

Does that sound right?

I'm assuming this can be done with a small block and tackle setup if weight dictates the need for one?

Thanks for all the comments.
Manny

Labman - that's pretty close to our routine with two exceptions. I double purchase the lifting with a second pulley on the bag end (attached with carabineer) and I carry all in a little canvas bag which I use with a local rock to toss over a limb. Seems less likely to snag than the pulley and the pulley will never be damaged.

We fly a whole Duluth pack - all food starting out - with trash bag on top. Hopefully will work same with new this year CCS insulated pack.

We don't ever hang our food pack. Most of the stories I hear the bears climb the tree and rip the food pack down anyways...so why bother. Plus most sites are limited to which trees you can even hang your pack, so an educated bear does not have to work too hard to find the food. We just put all of the food and smelly stuff in a pack, we use the Cabelas brand boundary waters packs...I don't believe these let out much sent as they are a rubberized material and waterproof, you could also put contents into plastic bags as extra insurance then place in pack. We just place the pack away from camp and will maybe rotate places we set it each night. The worst that can happen is a bear finds it, and we go home early. I think our group makes enough noise that we pretty much scare any bear off from miles away.

quote Evenflow: "We don't ever hang our food pack. Most of the stories I hear the bears climb the tree and rip the food pack down anyways...so why bother. Plus most sites are limited to which trees you can even hang your pack, so an educated bear does not have to work too hard to find the food. We just put all of the food and smelly stuff in a pack, we use the Cabelas brand boundary waters packs...I don't believe these let out much sent as they are a rubberized material and waterproof, you could also put contents into plastic bags as extra insurance then place in pack. We just place the pack away from camp and will maybe rotate places we set it each night. The worst that can happen is a bear finds it, and we go home early. I think our group makes enough noise that we pretty much scare any bear off from miles away."

Couldn't have described my thoughts any better Evenflow (but we use the plastic pack liner to waterproof and keep scent in).

For people who do want to hang... labman, here's some history:

best way to hang a pack thread
diagram at Feb 10 2010 4:41 post
to hang or not to hang

We had a nightmare with a bear @7 years ago on Brule. I've been going to the BW for years--worked as a youth-guide for a few summers, etc. I've seen lots of bears, and never had a problem. Then we had a bad hanging situation on an island. I new it was bunk, but there were no other options. At about 5:30 A.M., I heard the tell-tale cracking branches.

I went to go scare the bear away, and was confronted with the biggest blackie I've ever seen. He had gotten the bag to the ground, but was still trying to gain entry. I did the usual tricks--shouting, waving my arms, throwing stuff. The bear charged me. It stopped about three feet short; I can still hear it huffing and see its dripping nose. I was scared.

The bear returned to the pack after the false charge. With the help of my wife, I was finally able to "scare" it into the woods a bit. After retrieving the gear, we decided to pack up and get an early start! The bear continued to circle the campsite, roaming on the edges in the trees. I have never seen a bear so brazen and determined.

Since then, we have taken measures to NEVER rely on a good tree. Bear Vaults have worked perfectly since.

Lab,

Those threads have great info on them for hanging, especially the throwing thing, that is usually the time sucker. Choose your branch wisely, and having lots of main line rope length is important, as some sites the trees are far apart.

I am a double pulley guy for bigger (4 or more) 1 week trips. Just makes lifting the bag(s) way easier.

Secure one pulley and one end of haul line to main line where you want the bag to end up hanging, other pulley to 'biner and the food bag, run haul line appropriately to make lift. Tighten and secure main line, haul up food pack with haul line.

SunCatcher - that's quite a kitchen you've got there!"

Thanks BW...If you saw me you would know that "food" is important :)
SunCatcher

Thanks for the discussion. I see a lot of points and talk about hanging and barrels, canisters.

Question I have is Does anyone use an ursack and if so, how does that work for you? I have not read much about the ursacks on this site.

Evenflow 100% in agreement

as mentioned in my earlier post, i have used ursacks exclusively for the last maybe 6 years. they work extremely well for me. lightweight, easy-to-use, and pack well in my portage pack. it was such a relief to no longer have to set up a hanging system. i just use a strong carabiner to clip them to a tree at head level. i am also surprised that nobody on this site mentions them.


i use the lighter, bear-resistant version rather than the bear-proof version and think this is adequate for the BWCA, at least the parts of the BWCA that I frequent.

Lots of good info. I will go to a vault at some point. But for my Solo, I will have to hang ($ constraints). I will use the 2 pulley system. Not because I want to make it easier to lift my one person food pack, but more to put this system together (in a pouch) once and not have to refine it later. I also plan to make the pack as scent free as I can. Ziploc and dry bag it. Then in another drybag.

Thanks for all the replies. I don't usually expect so many replies to threads on websites. This place takes the cake.

quote jthieret: "as mentioned in my earlier post, i have used ursacks exclusively for the last maybe 6 years. ... i am also surprised that nobody on this site mentions them."

They looked small to me. I like to keep food (for five) and kitchenware in one pack. Don't hang, but couldn't get all that in an ursack to save my life. Glad to know they work though, love the concept.

I'm also an Ursack user but figure it's great if others want to hang and the bears don't even realize what an Ursack is. With 10 day, 4 person trips we use a bunch of them to hold all the food. And that gives us the extra safety that a bear is unlikely to find or get into all of them (we generally put them out in 2 or 3 groups).

Do you put the carabiner around a tree limb? We just tie them to the tree.

We go find a fairly steep cliff leading into the water. Tie it off to a tree and bada-big-bada-boom! Simple as that. Never had a bear even try to get at it. Easiest full-proof way to hang your pack.


I point and laugh watching people try to hang there pack from a tree.

Cord goes around the tree. carabiner clips the end of the cord to the cord as it exits the sack. Not what the ursack people recommend but it works for me.

And, in response to other comments, yes, the ursacks are a little small. I use several of them. Also, I was fortunate enough to purchase a couple of Ursack Majors (double-size ursacks) before they stopped making them. So I've got 2 small ones and 2 big ones: that's enough for 4 weeks of food for me.

quote labman: "Lots of good info. I will go to a vault at some point. But for my Solo, I will have to hang ($ constraints). I will use the 2 pulley system. Not because I want to make it easier to lift my one person food pack, but more to put this system together (in a pouch) once and not have to refine it later. I also plan to make the pack as scent free as I can. Ziploc and dry bag it. Then in another drybag.


Thanks for all the replies. I don't usually expect so many replies to threads on websites. This place takes the cake.


"

I thought to mention that I tried the two pulley system at home. I used a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand. It went up so easy, I could not believe it. Eventually the small carabiner bent open due to the heavy heavy weight.

Thanks for all the ideas folks. I leave in 3 weeks and can't wait.

Manny

The two pulley way is the easiest to get big loads up, bar none. I also love it. Takes no effort. Good on you for practicing, that will make sure your set up works right.

We bring a monkey boy for those trees that won't cooperate.

I like this illustration. Haven't used it, but it looks good on paper.

Rope over two branches with the bag in the middle.

Rope over two branches as high up as possible 15-20', double pulley setup in middle. Ropes are pulled tight minimal height to bottom of bag 12'. I use climbing cord for rope 5mm, minimum breaking 1100 lbf. Carabiners to match with a section of 5mm around and underneath the bag for extra support. Sometimes it make take 10 minutes, sometimes 20 no big hurry. I just sit and smoke a cigar or chew some jerky and plan. Use light 100lb cord to pull 5mm up. Use a carabiner and trucker hitch to tighten 5mm. No need to wrap around tree if use a nylon runner and carabiner. Trees should be 20' apart and back in the brush if possible.

Over a rock face or similiar is great idea if available.

Most the rope you see hanging in trees is cheap nylon rope that melts with friction and melts into the crook of a branch. 23 years and 55+ trips and no packs lost to bears and several have looked over the years.

rope over a branch,have had a couple of sites without any branches,so I hid the food pack in the woods without any issues

Rope over branch has worked for me for the last 35 years. No problems, and I don't use the thinnest rope, so there is no damage to the trees.

We try to hang over a cliff anytime we can. So much easier. Use tree hanging system only when necessary..really to keep the mice out, not too worried about the bears. We are obsessive about keeping a clean campsite and only stay on sites that are clean as well. We for sure keep the pack as smell proof as we can ...use large zippered sacks and then also use a thick contractor bag(s)...Never had bear issues in 11 years going to bwca..almost 20 trips. We do always have our dog with and not sure if he helps deter bears or not. Anyway do what you want..and you know what always happens...the bear will wander in when you are cooking or digging through your pack for a snack and not even at night or while your all out fishing. I say don't stress about it.