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s500yards
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01/14/2017 09:40AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm considering purchasing a designated food pack and was wondering what those of you who utilize them use, and why. Did you purchase one marketed as such, and if so what does it offer over just a smaller portage pack? Do you feel it's worth carrying a separate pack when you could very well just add your food bag to the main pack?
My thoughts are that I already intend to double portage with my partner so why not spread the weight and not have any overly heavy packs? Our trips are usually in the 10-12 day range so between two people it's a significant amount of weight considering food and kitchen-ware.
What are your thoughts?
 
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OldFingers57
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01/14/2017 10:43AM  
Are you looking at plain or insulated food packs? The plain ones are nice as you can get a hard box to insert into them. Look at the Boundary Waters Journal ones, they are made by Kondos.
Another option are the blue barrels in either a 30 or 60 L size.
 
s500yards
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01/14/2017 11:03AM  
I'd want to use non-insulated. I'll take a look at the Kondos packs
 
01/14/2017 03:04PM  
I use a food pack, the larger Kondos 4700 food pack with hip belt, load lifters, and a sternum strap. I have inserted a cardboard box into the pack to maintain its boxy shape and a piece of closed-cell foam on the side with the hip belt and shoulder straps for comfort. I keep its packed weight in the 40-45 lb range for a 1-week trip for 3 guys. All the food and cooking gear are in that pack plus some odds and ends.

The reasons I use a dedicated food pack are (1) I was introduced to canoe tripping using that method, and (2) I find it convenient to work out of one pack that will stay open and upright. If you already have a different method that works for you, great.

When only two of us are traveling, we use one large portage pack besides the food pack.
 
s500yards
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01/14/2017 03:38PM  
quote Ausable: "I use a food pack, the larger Kondos 4700 food pack with hip belt, load lifters, and a sternum strap. I have inserted a cardboard box into the pack to maintain its boxy shape and a piece of closed-cell foam on the side with the hip belt and shoulder straps for comfort. I keep its packed weight in the 40-45 lb range for a 1-week trip for 3 guys. All the food and cooking gear are in that pack plus some odds and ends.


The reasons I use a dedicated food pack are (1) I was introduced to canoe tripping using that method, and (2) I find it convenient to work out of one pack that will stay open and upright. If you already have a different method that works for you, great.


When only two of us are traveling, we use one large portage pack besides the food pack."


Interesting, so you combine both yours and your partner's gear into a single large pack in addition to the food pack? Do you share a shelter? You all must pack pretty light. That's awesome
 
billconner
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01/14/2017 08:14PM  
I generally go tandem and we have three packs plus canoe - basic double portage. I love the CCS deluxe food pack with the stuff sacks made for it but CCS. Probably my single best gear purchase. I've tripped with a food pack with plastic box and prefer this "foam" box much more.
 
01/14/2017 08:14PM  
quote s500yards: "Interesting, so you combine both yours and your partner's gear into a single large pack in addition to the food pack? Do you share a shelter? You all must pack pretty light. That's awesome"

Yes, we share a 2-man tent and we usually take a tarp. We do try to keep our personal gear to a minimum. We keep tinkering with the food, but we always seem to have lots of trail mix left over. We also take a couple of small day packs for fishing gear, etc. and I haul along a tripod with camera gear in dry box. So we double-portage.
 
01/15/2017 09:58AM  
Probably not what more folks would like, but I'll toss this out for consideration. Before switching to a barrel last summer (my interest was saving time on solo trips), I used an REI dry bag - similar to SealLine or Sea to Summit - as my food bag for many years. I liked that it was very water/air tight. If I tipped, it would float forever, and I believed it would be more scent resistant than a canvas or nylon bag lined with plastic. I could kneel on it and air would not come out. It's longer, more narrow shape was an advantage in that it fit pretty well in the narrow front or back of canoe easily, especially when getting empty. The downside of the shape was it was harder to find the food I was looking for inside. Seemed I always needed what was at the bottom - and I still have this with my barrel.

I actually own a Duluth Pack food pack, but dont use it for food. I got it because it's shorter, squatter shape made it better for portaging on my front - my knees don't hit it going up hill and I can still see over it. The shape of a real food pack certainly would make accessing specific items in the pack easier.

 
BnD
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01/15/2017 11:50AM  
We have carried separate food packs and barrels. However, last year we committed to single portaging so our food is packed in lightweight Sea to Summit dry bags and packed in the 70 L Seal line Boundary Pack carried with the canoe +\- 35#.( 18# food + 17# gear). We just hang the Boundary Pack at camp. This system eliminated a lot of unnecessary pack weight of separate food packs and barrels. I realize it's a little unconventional but when I stated looking at where we could easily loss packed weight it was crazy what the packs lined with contractor bags or Duluth pack liners really weigh empty. Now we carry one Granite Gear Superior One Pack at about 70# plus the one mentioned previously. We like to travel fast and fish more. Good luck with your system.
 
01/15/2017 12:15PM  
I'm usually solo and my food and kitchen is minimal (about 18 lbs. for a 12-day solo), so I don't use a dedicated food pack. When someone joins me we each do our own food and don't need a dedicated food pack even then. Since you don't need insulated, the main advantage I see for you would be that it's all in one pack if you hang your food. I don't hang mine, just keep in bear canisters and stash.
 
s500yards
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01/15/2017 04:55PM  
Some great inspiration here. I was actually just looking into the 70l sealline portage packs for food. They're affordable, waterproof making them a wonderful candidate for hanging and like what was mentioned they probably don't emit as much scent, though I'm sure a bear can still smell it. Thanks everyone for your help so far!
 
01/15/2017 10:26PM  
I switched to barrels a while back and don't regret it. Hanging or hiding food packs was a pain.

I have 2 barrels. A 60 and a 30 liter. When I trip with just a partner we take the 30. When we have a crew of 4 or 6 we take the 60 liter barrel.

When I take the Boy Scouts out with a crew of 8 I take them both.

I tie them to a tree in camp and use an alarm set up to sound when the barrel is disturbed. I've had bears set the alarms off twice and both times we chased the bear away.

I do have a regular GG Food pack I got from an Outfitter but we turned it into a gear pack. I made a box from an old sleeping pad and it stands the pack up nice for loading and protects the gear.

UPBoy
 
ECpizza
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01/15/2017 10:53PM  
A food pack for me is an unneeded luxury. It is the pack I look at, drool over, and then move on. I currently use 5 gallon buckets and put them in different packs.
 
Hawk777
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01/15/2017 11:45PM  
Hey guys, wondering where to purchase a food barrel? Are there any in the Duluth area, or do they have to be ordered online?!
 
billconner
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01/16/2017 07:18AM  
quote UPBoy: "I switched to barrels a while back and don't regret it. Hanging or hiding food packs was a pain.


I have 2 barrels. A 60 and a 30 liter. When I trip with just a partner we take the 30. When we have a crew of 4 or 6 we take the 60 liter barrel.


When I take the Boy Scouts out with a crew of 8 I take them both.


I tie them to a tree in camp and use an alarm set up to sound when the barrel is disturbed. I've had bears set the alarms off twice and both times we chased the bear away.


I do have a regular GG Food pack I got from an Outfitter but we turned it into a gear pack. I made a box from an old sleeping pad and it stands the pack up nice for loading and protects the gear.


UPBoy"


I think I'd rather continue hanging than get up in the night to chase off bears. Of course, we find hanging more of a sport than a job, and look forward to it.
 
yellowcanoe
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01/16/2017 07:39AM  
The trouble with hanging is trees. You need them with suitable branches.. And bears climb very well.

The purpose of hanging is merely to separate you from your food..
If you are going to camp anywhere else( without good hanging trees) you may wish to invest in a barrel. Not bearproof but a deterrent.

Ursacks or canisters are another method. You can put them in a regular pack.
 
GeoFisher
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01/20/2017 10:27PM  
Here is a good idea:

I use a Kondo's #3 and use this ziplock waterproof box . It fits perfectly.

Box
 
Frenchy
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01/21/2017 07:51AM  
I use a Kondos food pack with their rigid corrugated liner to maintain it's shape. Like billconner, I have always enjoyed the hanging process. With my pulley system, it is very simple to raise and lower the pack at any time.
 
01/21/2017 11:18AM  
2 small Ursacks. One in each pack. With only packs you could get away with single portaging.
 
billconner
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01/21/2017 02:39PM  
quote Frenchy: "I use a Kondos food pack with their rigid corrugated liner to maintain it's shape. Like billconner, I have always enjoyed the hanging process. With my pulley system, it is very simple to raise and lower the pack at any time."


The hunt for "the tree" is a big part of the fun.
 
01/21/2017 04:11PM  
Just had to comment on BillConnor's hang methodology. It describes my approach to hanging a tarp, more art-form/entertainment than job!

butthead

PS; Solo mostly, so Ursak and tie to tree at head height. bh
 
billconner
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01/21/2017 08:24PM  
quote butthead: "Just had to comment on BillConnor's hang methodology. It describes my approach to hanging a tarp, more art-form/entertainment than job!


butthead


PS; Solo mostly, so Ursak and tie to tree at head height. bh"


I enjoy tarpology too!
 
01/21/2017 09:17PM  
quote Hawk777: "Hey guys, wondering where to purchase a food barrel? Are there any in the Duluth area, or do they have to be ordered online?! "


I've bought both my 60- and 30-liter online. Occasionally, someone on this site will put one up for sale as well.
 
jrlatt
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01/23/2017 09:03AM  
quote Hawk777: "Hey guys, wondering where to purchase a food barrel? Are there any in the Duluth area, or do they have to be ordered online?! "

quote>quote Hawk777: "Hey guys, wondering where to purchase a food barrel? Are there any in the Duluth area, or do they have to be ordered online?! "

In Duluth check out Duluth trading company they might. In the Cities Midwest Mountaineering has them. They usually do one item for 20% off for their spring expo. Other wise start calling around to some local outfitters. I remember an outfitter in two harbors who sold them. Piragis, and other outfitters in Ely carry them. I think two 30 are nicer than one 60. Spread the weight more and they can double as camp chairs. Down side is the cost of two smaller ones is more. I have a used both. The 30 fits nicely into one of my old packs with side pockets. I would call to make sure they have them in stock before driving a long distance. Be careful with buying online. There are some lighter ones out there that I don't think are as tuff as the ones locally.

happy trails
 
s500yards
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01/23/2017 07:02PM  
quote Blatz: "2 small Ursacks. One in each pack. With only packs you could get away with single portaging."


This is what I've been doing, actually since the beginning. LOVE the ursacks! It has worked quite well as it has allowed us to single portage, and in all likelyhood we'll continue to do so. I just wanted to explore other options as I'm always trying to improve my systems, in this case where pack weight is concerned. We like to bring lots of food and with kitchen gear included, it gets a little heavier than we like. Love hearing what others come up with.
 
jeremylynn
member (14)member
  
01/23/2017 07:34PM  
Ive always just kept my food in my portage pack in odor proof bags then hang on a tree branch in a dry bag. Never wanted to carry an extra bag.
 
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