[pct-l] hang method, canisters, THE map

[bharve at dslextreme.com]

On Mar 22, 2007, at 10:46 AM, Jo Pegrum Hazelett wrote:

"The clamcleat method is ingenious, but I didn't invent it, I got the idea
from a long-time backpacking and sailing friend..."

There is another non-counterbalance hang method, similar to the clamcleat
method.  For this  method, tie a small loop in the hang line, just above
line attachment to the food bag (or bags).  If line is tied to bag(s)
first, the loop can be made by an overhand knot or figure eight knot on a
bight.  Throw the tag end of the line over the tree branch.  Pass the tag
end through the loop.  Pull the tag end to hoist the food bag(s), until
the loop meets the branch.  While keeping the bag(s) hoisted and line tau,
tie the line around a toggle (such as stick a few inches long), as high as
you can reach while still keeping the line taut.  This step of tying the
line to the toggle while keeping the line taut is best done by two people.
 One person can do it, but she or he can't get the toggle tied as high up
the line as if two people work together.  If doing it alone, hold the
toggle with your teeth, as if holding a cigaret tightly, keep the line
taut with one hand, with the other hand at mouth height form a larkspur
(aka larkshead), then holding the larkspur in hand and toggle in teeth,
insert toggle into loops of the larkspur.  Now cinch the line tight around
the toggle.  All the above is done while standing directly below the tree
branch.   Now back away from underneath the branch and pay out the line to
lower the bag(s) until toggle meets loop.  The reason for backing away is
to avoid having the toggle hang up on a bag as it passes alongside.  The
bag(s) will hang, toggle against loop.  The lowest bag bottom will be at a
height above ground that is  equal to half the line length from toggle to
branch, plus the height above ground the toggle was tied, less the length
of the longest bag below the loop.

This method, like the clamcleat method can be used to hang one bag, two
bags, or more.  (Hung five once).  Like the clamcleat method and UNLIKE
counter balance hanging. it is completely secure against bears pawing
lines or bouncing on branches or shaking them.  Also unlike counter
balance hanging, excess line doesn't have to be gathered at a bag to be
kept out of bears' reach, and a lower bag doesn't have to be shoved up to
get two bags at the same height.  However, just like counter balance
hanging, the bag(s) are open to attack by birds, and exposed to rain.  A
good idea might be to put a small hole in the center of a piece of
silnylon for the line to pass through and use the sinylon piece as a drape
over the food bag(s).  That would give some rain protection, and birds
might not be able to get claw grip on the silnylon.  (From experience,
they can perch on sides of suspended plastic bags and shred the bags! 
Actually, that's not so surprising, cosidering they can perch on thin
little tree branches jerked around by wind.)

To retrieve food bag(s), pull the tag end of the line, again standing away
from underneath the branch so the toggle doesn't hang up on bag(s).  
Hoist the bags until the toggle is within reach, keep line taut above the
toggle with one hand, and remove toggle with the other hand.  Then pay out
line to lower bag(s) to ground.

An option in place of a loop in the line is to tie to a small ring, such
as a key ring, to the line.  Just as with a loop in the line, leaving a
foot or so of line beyond the ring, for attaching to the bag(s).  A
slightly larger ring (or even same sized ring) can be used as a toggle. 
Attaching a ring for a toggle is actually a little easier than attaching a
stick.  A ring can be held with by the ends of a finger and the thumb of
the taut line hand, rather than teeth, while getting a bight larkspur on
the ring.  A ring as a toggle is also better than a stick, because it is
much less likely to snag or hang up as it passes a bag.

So, another non-counterbalance hang method.  Ho-hum.  But it doesn't
require carrying the weight of a clamcleat in the backpack.  All sounds
good, but there are plenty of stretches on the PCT in the Sierras with no
trees or few suitable trees.  Those stretches can cause shortrening or
lengthening hiking distance on each of a bunch of days.  Even where there
are plenty of trees, finding a suitable one can take a lot of time.  A
real long time in the dark.  (A pitch for canisters here!)

Thanks to Monty and others for gathering and straightening out all the
agencies' info on areas where food storage in bear boxes or canisters is
required, and where there are bear boxes!  Were the agencies quietly
monitoring pct-l traffic?  Did his and others'work goad them into doing
the map?  The comprehensive compiled requirements text and the map are
light years of progress from the past disjointed language from individual
USFS and NP jurisdictions!

geezer