Thank you to all of you who posted your comments about the “will” to hike. I appreciate your ideas, feedback and advice. The Ursack Hybrid has been conditionaly approve and I contemplate getting one, but here is probably one of the most stupid question that you may read in a while: HOW DO I USE IT? I mean: do I still have to use the counterbalance method to hang it from trees? Can I just tie it to a tree trunk? or maybe a heavy rock?
Thank you.
Patronio
As soon as SIBBG posted the conditinal approval (I knew it was coming), I ordered one and it arrived a few days latter. I’m off to Yosemite tomorrow and I will also use it for my JMT trip.
If you go to Ursacks website, they have information (and photos) on how to use it. You don’t bear hang it. You normally tie it to a very large tree branch or trunk to make it harder for the bear to get leverage on it. But you are not trying to put it out of reach of the bear. However, Yosemite doesn’t like you tying them to trees since they think the rubbing caused by rope and the bear playing with it is bad on the trees. In that case (or above tree line) you find a heavy object (like a log) and tie it to that so the bear can’t drag it off. Some people use those climbing cams on a rock wall and hang their bag from that.
Miner
I agree with Miner. Contrary to Ursack instuctions on their website, the rangers in the Sierra recommended against hanging it on the live tree. You can tie on a limb of the dead tree.
You can get additional info here:
USE AND CARE OF URSACK
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-use-and-care-instruction.htm
Proper Hang
http://www.ursack.com/proper-hang.htm
Jill
I agree with Miner. Contrary to Ursack instuctions on their website, the rangers in the Sierra recommended against hanging it on the live tree. You can tie on a limb of the dead tree.
You can get additional info here:
USE AND CARE OF URSACK
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-use-and-care-instruction.htm
Proper Hang
http://www.ursack.com/proper-hang.htm
Jill
While I am jazzed that the Ursack S29 with liner was not breached at the Folsom zoo - there is another one made by Wilderness Solutions - the Palisade EST. It is only 15oz and uses an electric fence to defend its 900cui contents. They are in the process of gaining Sierra acceptance. I love the video on the website - the grizzly puts his snoot on the cannister and gets a mild jolt and runs off. The shock is mild enough not to hurt the animal. Animals in general can sense electric current and usually do not muck with electric fences.
So it brings up the question - do rangers on the JMT really check that you have a cannister or do they see the lump in your pack and leave you along? I definitely respect the rules and plan to have a cannister on the JMT - just wonder if this new alternative (while not approved yet in the Sierra’s) would slip by the rangers. I understand there is a $150 fine for using un-approved devices.
OregonBeerMan
I looked at the Palisade EST when I was at the ADZPCTKO where it was on display. I was very impressed. I did think there could be improvements but I would still buy it. However, it will cost >$200 and it doesn’t have approval as of today. Ursack is approved and the Sierra backpacking season has already started for me so it was a no-brainer not to wait for something that may not happen this year.
The Rangers do occasionally check when you are in a cannister zone; especially if they come upon your camp where you can’t argue that you are just passing through. The zone from Tuolumne Mdws to Red’s Mdw is the area where it would be hard to argue that you could hike through it in a day due to the mileage and thus I would be more worried about (well anywhere in the Yosemite zones is more likely to be checked). The SEKI areas have bear boxes that you can camp near and use (just don’t get caught camping away from them).
Miner