I have my food in a nylon stuff sack. In the past I never bothered to hang food bags from high places. On my thru hike do I need rope to use the "new" bear poles that are located in the park?
_MarathonJohn_Bear poles/cables
system
#1
system
#2
John I've always used the bear poles/cables where provided or hung a bear bag. About the only exception is when we were at a shelter and someone had a dog. Bears seemed to shy away from the dogs. Also if there were a large number of people in the shelter we usually didn't bother with a bear bag, except that we always tried to hang our food with a mouse-guard above (although after watching some of the mousecapades I wonder if they were really any good!). The big thing is to keep a clean camp and take precautions that you feel comfortable n taking. The other thing is to read the registers and see if there is any reported activity. The biggest problem I found with hanging bear bags is the availability of a good tree limb. I have recommended to our local shelter maintainer that we either erect bear poles or figure a way to lash a good sized beam between a couple of trees. Hardcharger
_Hardcharger_
system
#4
Swamp Fox...yep its the problem with being to close to the ground! Although I've got a good system if I can just find a limb...Let "Johnny B" (My hiking pard) Throw it! Actually we use a pulley system. It's a bit heavier (about 5 oz.) but I like the way it works and it is usually pretty adaptable if there isn't a good limb in the area. First I carry the two ropes (about 50' of parachute cord) in a small bag. The pulley is attached to one of the ropes. I leave the pulley in the bag and place a rock in with it and pull the bag tight. Then John throws the bag up and over a limb and the rocks weight will lower the bag and rope to the ground. Next you put your food in the bear bag (we us a light-weight nylon mesh laundry bag) and tie it shut with the other piece of rope and run the end of that rope through the pulley. Next you pull the pulley rope to the top of the limb and secure the rope. Finally you pull the bag up with the second rope and this way you can use the rope to adjust where you hang the bag and how far up the tree or limb that you pull the bag. Works pretty slick. Only one thing to remember - Take the Rock Out of the bag before you stow it in your pack!!!! One time Johnny B left the rock in the bag and I carried it around in the pack all day - he's never lived that one down! Putting rocks in my pack to slow me down! :))
Enjoy!
Hardcharger
_Hardcharger_