[pct-l] OpSacks

[Ed Jarrett]

I have been using OpSacks in combination with an Ursack for several years now, and will likely continue to do so.  I am also quite familiar with your use of the bags, but I felt this article was really one that had application to those who use an OpSack as a pillow.

Ed Jarrett Blog: http://aclayjar.blogspot.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdJarrett53 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ed.jarrett.71 

Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:27:04 -0700
From: mendoridered at yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [pct-l] OpSacks
To: edjarrett at msn.com; pct-l at backcountry.net

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