[pct-l] hanging food

[Herb Stroh]

I know many just sleep with their food in all but mandatory bear can areas. But there are some sections of the PCT that have significant bear activity, but do not mandate a can. It is a good idea to have the tools and skills necessary to be able to hang your food in high-risk areas. Plus, the loss of food is not only an inconvenience to you--ultimately it could result in destruction of the bear.

The old method is counterbalancing, which is a bit trickier but still very doable. Many use "The PCT Method" which is easier to do. See it described here: http://theultimatehang.com/2013/03/hanging-a-bear-bag-the-pct-method/ Although technically it may not be legal in areas that specifically call out for  counter balancing, I don't think the dangling line from the PCT Method poses any additional risk of food loss.

This reminds me of an old joke we use to share back before bear cans were invented and a good counterbalance hang was the only way to protect food. After accomplishing the task and meeting the height and distance guidelines, one of us would inevitably look at the other and say, "now THAT is what I call WELL-HUNG."

Herb

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Sam Whited
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 8:06 AM
To: Megan Leedom
Cc: pct-l
Subject: Re: [pct-l] hanging food

On Thu, Jan 26, 2017 at 8:55 AM, Megan Leedom <mkleedom at gmail.com> wrote:
> but was curious if any of you found it necessary to hang your food at any point.

Like carrying basic medical supplies, it's not necessary at all (until it is). If you hang your food in the worst case you've wasted a few minutes at the end of the day hanging it, in the best case you've saved your food supply from being raided by critters.

> I'm trying to decide if I should pack some rope and learn proper hanging techniques before I go.

Short answer: Yes. Even if you decide not to hang food, rope is just generally useful. If you ever run into a tight spot — slipped into a gully, can't cross a flooded stream safely, injur your leg and need to bind it up, or just want somewhere to string wet cloths up to dry — you'll want it.

—Sam
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