Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Food Packs
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UPBoy |
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 |
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ECpizza |
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s500yards |
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. |
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jeremylynn |
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GeoFisher |
I use a Kondo's #3 and use this ziplock waterproof box . It fits perfectly. Box |
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Frenchy |
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Blatz |
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billconner |
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. |
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butthead |
butthead PS; Solo mostly, so Ursak and tie to tree at head height. bh |
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billconner |
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! I enjoy tarpology too! |
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HighnDry |
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. |
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jrlatt |
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 |
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OldFingers57 |
Another option are the blue barrels in either a 30 or 60 L size. |
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s500yards |
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s500yards |
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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Hawk777 |
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billconner |
quote UPBoy: "I switched to barrels a while back and don't regret it. Hanging or hiding food packs was a pain. 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. |
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yellowcanoe |
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. |
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Ausable |
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. |
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s500yards |
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. 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 |
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billconner |
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Ausable |
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. |
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Jaywalker |
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. |
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BnD |
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boonie |
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s500yards |
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