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Re: [pct-l] renting bearboxes

Kevin--
Here is how I bear-bag food.
1.)Distribute all edibles and trash into two stuff sacks, distributing
weight evenly.

2.) Find an appropriate tree branch (this is key!).  The branch should be
at least 20 feet off the ground, with no branches underneath it, or within
three feet to either side.  It should be about three inches in diameter,
and protrude at least eight feet out from the trunk.  You want a branch
that is too thin for a bear to walk out on, but too thick to be broken with
a paw swipe.  The tree should be at least fifty feet from camp.  A tree
overhanging a drop off or on a slope is optimal.

3.) Using at least 50 feet of 500#test nylon rope (I use parachute cord),
tie one end of the rope to a baseball sized rock.  While holding onto the
other end of the rope, throw the rock over the branch (This usually takes
at least five tries, and results in a lot of joking about one's athletic
prowess ;-) ).  The rope should go over the branch at least five feet from
the trunk. 

4.) Untie the rock, and tie one food bag to the rope, preferably holding
the bag about chest (four feet) high. Hoist the bag all the way up until it
hits the branch.  Holding the other bag about chest high, tie it onto the
rope, which willeave you with a dozen or so feet of slack at the end.  Loop
the slack up and secure to the top of the second food bag with a slip knot,
and tie a small (six inch diameter) loop in the tag end of the rope, which
should hang no lower than the bottom of the second bag.

5.) Find a long stick (5-6 feet) with a crook or hook on the end. (This is
for retrieving the food.)  Now comes the cool part.

6.) Grasp the lower food bag, and heave it upward. (If your knots are no
good, you'll know, because your food will come barrelling down toward your
head at this point if they're not!) This will cause the upper bag to drop
away from the branch.  Use the stick to push the lower bag up until it is
even with the upper bag.  This operation should optimally result in your
food being suspended at least 10-12 feet off the ground, and 8-10 feet
below the branch.  Bears can't reach the bags, and rodents can't drop off
the branch onto the bags.  I have occasionally had bluejays (the
rascals!)try to get into the bags, but have yet to see one succeed.

To retrieve your food in the morning, take your stick, and grab the small
loop you tied in the end of the rope.  You should be able to pull out the
slip knot, releasing the slack rope.  Pull one bag down, untie it, then
lower the other bag to the ground.  As I said before; no guarantees, but I
have used this technique in some pretty bear-y places, and have never had a
problem.  

Walk On!!



>On Tue, 2 Jun 1998, Bill Sargent wrote:
>>even though I saw them right in camp earlier.  My advice is to A)learn how
>>to counterbalance food bags *properly*,  (most people I have seen get their
>>food munched did not know all the particulars of counterbalancing) B) don't
>
>Can someone please explain the "proper" way to counterbalance. This
>has been on my mind for a while now. Thanks in advance!
>
>Kevin-
>
>* From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List | For info
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>
Bill Sargent, Order Fulfillment Manager
Map Link, Inc.
30 S. La Patera Ln. #5
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805)692-6777 x105
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