[pct-l] OpSacks

[Edward Anderson]

Hi Ed Jarrett,

OPSaks were very effective during my ride of the PCT. I mostly lived on the PCT for over six months. With a horse, I can't hitch into towns as the hikers do - my "0" days were mostly on the trail.  I resupplied myself by caching. I learned a lot - especially when I came, after 10 days, to my food cache near Beldon Town. All 30 pounds of processed horse feed was gone. I had stored it in the heat-sealed Food-Saver bags. My food, stored in an OPSak was untouched. The Ranger there said that it was the work of rodents. From then on I used OPSaks for all food. - mine and my horse's.  I have done a lot of testing on rodents in my barn.  They do get into ZipLocks but don't violate the OPSaks. They also fail to get into some of the pre-packaged foods. Apparently they are not smart enough to SEE, and then realize what is inside. I was testing various foods that are placed on a rodent run and laying side-by-side for several days. Pre-packaged cheeses and energy
 bars went first and eventually odoriferous foods in the double ZipLocks. After 10 days the OPSaks were OK. Of course, both were transparent containers.

Now, I will describe what I did while on the PCT and in bear country.  (In the Sierra parks, I did use the bear cans as required) .  Let me note that bears and dogs are both smart and can SEE what is inside a transparent bag.  I camoflagued the OPSaks and also located them well away from my camp - as you do with the bear cans.  Without the camouflage, I was concerned that a wandering bear might just see the sack and walk close enough to investigate what was inside. Of course, they would tear it open just as a dog would. They are smart!

MendoRider-Hiker





________________________________
 From: Ed Jarrett <edjarrett at msn.com>
To: PCT List <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 10:01 AM
Subject: [pct-l] OpSacks
 
Backpacking Light has an article out now on the effectiveness of odor proof bags.  And the result does not look too good.  The K9's involved in the test seemed not to care if the order was contained in an OpSack or a regular Ziploc.  A link to the article is attached, but you must be a member to read it.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/odor_proof_bags_study.html?m=00726_uzhpVTCPYGZpAwxyqufeQ#.UWWWS6IkiSo
Ed Jarrett (Eeyore) Blog: http://aclayjar.blogspot.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdJarrett53 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ed.jarrett.71                            
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