[pct-l] hang method, canisters, THE map

[RodneyL]

This is essentially the "PCT Method" described at http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bear_bag_hanging_technique.html
-- Rodney
 
> Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 11:27:59 -0700> From: bharve at dslextreme.com> To: karsten.n.hazelett at smithbarney.com> CC: pct-l at backcountry.net> Subject: Re: [pct-l] hang method, canisters, THE map> > > On Mar 22, 2007, at 10:46 AM, Jo Pegrum Hazelett wrote:> > "The clamcleat method is ingenious, but I didn't invent it, I got the idea> from a long-time backpacking and sailing friend..."> > There is another non-counterbalance hang method, similar to the clamcleat> method. For this method, tie a small loop in the hang line, just above> line attachment to the food bag (or bags). If line is tied to bag(s)> first, the loop can be made by an overhand knot or figure eight knot on a> bight. Throw the tag end of the line over the tree branch. Pass the tag> end through the loop. Pull the tag end to hoist the food bag(s), until> the loop meets the branch. While keeping the bag(s) hoisted and line tau,> tie the line around a toggle (such as stick a few inches long), as high as> you can reach while still keeping the line taut. This step of tying the> line to the toggle while keeping the line taut is best done by two people.> One person can do it, but she or he can't get the toggle tied as high up> the line as if two people work together. If doing it alone, hold the> toggle with your teeth, as if holding a cigaret tightly, keep the line> taut with one hand, with the other hand at mouth height form a larkspur> (aka larkshead), then holding the larkspur in hand and toggle in teeth,> insert toggle into loops of the larkspur. Now cinch the line tight around> the toggle. All the above is done while standing directly below the tree> branch. Now back away from underneath the branch and pay out the line to> lower the bag(s) until toggle meets loop. The reason for backing away is> to avoid having the toggle hang up on a bag as it passes alongside. The> bag(s) will hang, toggle against loop. The lowest bag bottom will be at a> height above ground that is equal to half the line length from toggle to> branch, plus the height above ground the toggle was tied, less the length> of the longest bag below the loop.> > This method, like the clamcleat method can be used to hang one bag, two> bags, or more. (Hung five once). Like the clamcleat method and UNLIKE> counter balance hanging. it is completely secure against bears pawing> lines or bouncing on branches or shaking them. Also unlike counter> balance hanging, excess line doesn't have to be gathered at a bag to be> kept out of bears' reach, and a lower bag doesn't have to be shoved up to> get two bags at the same height. However, just like counter balance> hanging, the bag(s) are open to attack by birds, and exposed to rain. A> good idea might be to put a small hole in the center of a piece of> silnylon for the line to pass through and use the sinylon piece as a drape> over the food bag(s). That would give some rain protection, and birds> might not be able to get claw grip on the silnylon. (From experience,> they can perch on sides of suspended plastic bags and shred the bags! > Actually, that's not so surprising, cosidering they can perch on thin> little tree branches jerked around by wind.)> > To retrieve food bag(s), pull the tag end of the line, again standing away> from underneath the branch so the toggle doesn't hang up on bag(s). > Hoist the bags until the toggle is within reach, keep line taut above the> toggle with one hand, and remove toggle with the other hand. Then pay out> line to lower bag(s) to ground.> > An option in place of a loop in the line is to tie to a small ring, such> as a key ring, to the line. Just as with a loop in the line, leaving a> foot or so of line beyond the ring, for attaching to the bag(s). A> slightly larger ring (or even same sized ring) can be used as a toggle. > Attaching a ring for a toggle is actually a little easier than attaching a> stick. A ring can be held with by the ends of a finger and the thumb of> the taut line hand, rather than teeth, while getting a bight larkspur on> the ring. A ring as a toggle is also better than a stick, because it is> much less likely to snag or hang up as it passes a bag.> > So, another non-counterbalance hang method. Ho-hum. But it doesn't> require carrying the weight of a clamcleat in the backpack. All sounds> good, but there are plenty of stretches on the PCT in the Sierras with no> trees or few suitable trees. Those stretches can cause shortrening or> lengthening hiking distance on each of a bunch of days. Even where there> are plenty of trees, finding a suitable one can take a lot of time. A> real long time in the dark. (A pitch for canisters here!)> > Thanks to Monty and others for gathering and straightening out all the> agencies' info on areas where food storage in bear boxes or canisters is> required, and where there are bear boxes! Were the agencies quietly> monitoring pct-l traffic? Did his and others'work goad them into doing> the map? The comprehensive compiled requirements text and the map are> light years of progress from the past disjointed language from individual> USFS and NP jurisdictions!> > geezer> > > > > _______________________________________________> pct-l mailing list> pct-l at backcountry.net> unsubscribe or change options:> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l