[pct-l] Using the Ursack without the aluminum

[dsaufley]

>From the Ursack site FAQs:  

"Is Ursack resistant to rodents, marmots, wolves, etc?
Ursack is highly effective against Marmots and raccoons. It should not be
considered wolf or dog resistant. That's because they have sharp teeth and
strong jaws. Bears have great strength, but their teeth are not sharp. We
now make a rodent resistant bag, the Ursack Minor.  It is not effective
against bears although we think it is more effective against rodents than
the AllWhite. Other rodents have varying degrees of success. Sometimes mice
can chew very small holes, but very little of your food is likely to be
taken. Some species of squirrels and (we have heard) pine martens have
greater success, and may on rare occasion chew holes in bear resistant
Ursacks."

-----Original Message-----
From: dsaufley [mailto:dsaufley at sprynet.com] 
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:43 AM
To: 'Matt Thyer'; 'pct-l at backcountry.net'
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Using the Ursack without the aluminum

Unfortunately, the Ursack, with or without the aluminum liner, is not
approved for use in the SEKI.  Go to
www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_bc.htm scroll to the "approved
containers" link. The
www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/approvedcontainers.htm site has links to
other areas.

The other thing to note about Ursacks is that while the Kevlar is
impenetrable by bear's teeth, the sharper teeth of little rodents can (and
do) go through it.  

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Matt Thyer
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 9:38 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Using the Ursack without the aluminum

Has anyone tried this?  The aluminum sheet that comes with the Ursack weighs
just a bit over 13 ounces.  The bag, which is made of Kevlar, only comes in
at about 9 ounces and this seems to me to be the active ingredient in the
mix.  If the bag's efficacy isn't compromised, leaving nearly a pound of
metal behind would make me a happy trekker.

 

Matt Thyer

http://bigear.wordpress.com/  

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