Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Hanging food opinion
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Portage99 |
If you had no meat, just dried things like oatmeal, pasta, soup… In Ziploc‘s… And then, In a dry bag… Would you hang it? I’m asking because I suck at hanging bags from trees. Any opinions or ideas? I could bring my bear barrel and just put other things in it. But, it’s not as easy as my pack. Would rather not. However, don’t want a bear to come exploring. I was curious of the thoughts of those who have been to BWCA many many times. |
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boonie |
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gymcoachdon |
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Portage99 |
I've been reading about them both. They both have their merits. I eventually will try both. It seems like the Bear Vault is kind of a handy little storage (waterproof, see-through) to fill as you eat your food. Ursack seems really great for backpacking, long trips. It still seems like a bear could roll the Bear Vault away. I mean, if I was a bear, I would roll it away. ha ha But, all the reviews I have read....most people just stash it in the bush and do not secure it or really hide it in rocks or anything. Just stash it away from camp and that's it. Oh, and away from the water, so it can't be rolled into the lake! Anyway, thanks. I did not know about any of these products. I was happy to read that most people suck at hanging food. I feel so much better. |
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bobbernumber3 |
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Gear Guy |
If your goal is to protect your food....Do not pick a crushable/biteable/drool-on-able cloth bag that is essentially a fancy pillow case full of food that if ruined will end your trip......Idk about you but I invest a lot of time into my trips as I only get to go on a couple of them a year if that. So I'll be damned if a hungry bear is cutting my trip short. If your goal is to protect your food. Use a rigid container designed to be physically impossible to access by a 1500lb animal. This accomplishes both protecting the bear, and protecting your food. It triples as a chair! Hanging food? Hah, just set it in the woods where it cant be rolled downhill. Goodluck bear. Watch this youtube video. It's a bear vs a bear vault. Pretty much all the proof you need which is better. Harder to pack but impossible to crack! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn7oayAaf4k |
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Portage99 |
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Blatz |
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goatroti |
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boonie |
I do like Andy and use Ursacks with the OPsacks. I used to use the bear canisters like the above. Ursack was having a sale - if you want one this would be a good time to buy. I've been on probably 18 trips there and have only seen a couple of bears. None were in camp. I take dehydrated just add water foods like you are and am really not much of a "bear magnet". Keep a clean camp. Avoid sites with any sign of bear trouble. |
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Portage99 |
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cowdoc |
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Jaywalker |
Portage99: "From the videos, it looks like you don’t hang it high on the tree. Just about eye level?" The Ursack? Yes, I just tie mine about head level, being sure to find a tree large or branch large enough so the bear can not pull the whole thing over. Also want to make sure there are branches large enough Above the Ursack that would prevent the bear from simply stripping it off the end. If someone were to hang the Ursack, they would run the Very small chance a bear could chew or claw the cord and make off with the Ursack. The key to the Ursack is it can anchor the food in place, and the bear will not get rewarded with food. Like I mentioned above, there is a chance they could smash it up a bit. Ursack sells metal liners that theoretically prevent or minimize this. I did not get one so don’t know much about them. MostLy my Ursacks hold dog food anyway, and I’m sure they would not care it it was mashed a bit. I typically still bring my blue barrel too. |
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boonie |
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Portage99 |
My daughter just showed me this video. We had a great laugh about it, so thought I’d pass it on. Not the Mercedes |
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Captn Tony |
Portage99: "Captn Tony: "I don't my food anymore as it is considered cruel and unusual punishment by the supreme court!" Yes, I put it in a small confined space in the dark! |
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Portage99 |
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Captn Tony |
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Captn Tony |
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Captn Tony |
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andym |
If you want to make it safer without hanging and cheaper, get Opsaks. They are much more odor resistant than ziplocks. Use those inside your dry bag. Or just do what you suggest. Many people have hidden food bags in the woods without losing them. We use Ursacks with Opsaks inside them. But then I’m not at many, many times. |
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ppine |
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Portage99 |
I like that “make it your own “ comment. I think that fits my progress the last couple weeks. I learned to canoe and camp from poor Girl Scout camps. For example, we used garbage bags for rain gear. Lol I’ve slowly come around to investing money in the new technology. And, actually have a little money saved to spend (which hasn’t always been the case). So, this shutdown has slowed my life down and I’m finding time to make things my own and fine tune some of my gear gaps. Makes me feel youngish again! Off topic example-I’ve had a hodgepodge kitchen kit, mostly scoured from Goodwill. I just bought the pocket rocket kit. It’s really been fun! I cooked supper with it last night. It’s very satisfying how it all fits together. Thanks for the discussion on critter control. |
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andym |
And the opsaks are waterproof. We’ve never had our food in one and an Ursack get wet. |
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HighnDry |
I usually hang my barrel but when I can't, I strap it to a tree out of sight and pile pots and lids on top. Figure out the system that you like, modify it however you like and make it your own. |
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Portage99 |
When I’m in a group I don’t even think about it. But when I’m by myself, I do. I’m also thinking into the future when I have a lot more time to do things. I’ll probably pick up more backpacking, so this has been a great discussion. Thank you. |
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Jaywalker |
I actually just got my second, larger Ursack because I liked my first one so much. Just have to know how to tie that knot and know that there is always a chance a bear could mash up your food a bit. I love the weight and that it gets smaller as the food runs out. |
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Portage99 |
Captn Tony: "I don't my food anymore as it is considered cruel and unusual punishment by the supreme court!" I’m glad you’ve implemented a more just and humane plan! |