[pct-l] ursacks and critters

[surferskir at aol.com]

My wife and I were hiking through Monanche Meadows (about 3 miles off the PCT) three or four years ago.  Along the trail, through knee high grass.  All quiet, just the birds and our breathing.
About 25 yards ahead was a large diameter fallen log, and a cougar was sun bathing on top.  He jumped up, and ran, looking over his shoulder one time, and disappeared through the trees at the edge of the meadow.
It was quite an experience, heart stopping at the time!
This was only the seond time I have seen a mountain lion in over 40 years hiking.  The other was in Los Padres Nation Forest outside Santa Barbara, and that encounter was again also in broad daylight, about 200 yard away he/she was crossing a dirt road.  Stopped and looked at us, and then took off.

--Dennis--


-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Clements <elizabethjoyclements at gmail.com>
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wed, Mar 20, 2013 8:06 pm
Subject: [pct-l] ursacks and critters


Sir Mix Alot,

A cougar? really?!  How far away were you?  I've read about hikers who
carry and sleep with their food.  This is what I was planning on
doing.  Bad idea?  Also, have there been any cougar encounters/attacks
on the trail in recent years and what precautions have people made to
protect themselves?

Thanks!



Yep, I should have been using an odor proof bag, and have changed my ways,
but I appreciated learning what it could stand up to.

While preventing a loss of food is usually the primary reason for using an
odor proof bag, to me a bigger benefit is not giving scavengers a reason to
come around me or my food.  The result is a better sleep.

On Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 7:41 AM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at
yahoo.com <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>>wrote:

>* If you put an OPSak inside your Ursack the critters won't smell what is*>* 
inside. OPSaks are what I used from Mexico to Canada - never lost any food.*>* 
Through the Sierra National Parks I did use two bear canisters as required*>* by 
the rules.*>* MendoRider-Hiker*>**>**>*   ------------------------------*>* 
*From:* Sir Mixalot <atetuna at gmail.com <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>>*>* 
*To:* Pamela McCullough <Pamelarun at aol.com <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>>*>* 
*Cc:* pct-l at backcountry.net <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>*>* 
*Sent:* Monday, March 18, 2013 11:40 PM*>* *Subject:* Re: [pct-l] ursacks*>**>* 
I use one all the time.  In southern California I've had a cougar nibble on*>* 
the bottom of my bag.  I got to watch that.  It also helped when I suddenly*>* 
decided to go to ADZPCTKO.  I didn't want to carry my heavy food bag down*>* the 
mountain only to have to carry it back up.  There were only
  low lying*>* trees, but that was okay.  I hung my Ursack to it and didn't come 
back to*>* it until two weeks later.  There were tiny rodent holes near the top, 
but*>* none of my food was compromised.*>**>* I love my Ursack.  I wouldn't hike 
without it unless I'm using a bear*>* canister.*>**>* On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 
2:45 PM, Pamela McCullough <Pamelarun at aol.com <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>*>* 
>wrote:*>**>* > What are your thoughts on using the ursack for carrying food?  
Pamela*>* >*>* > Sent from my iPad*
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