Ursack’s SIBBG conditional approval

I emailed SIBBG minutes ago with the question but in the interim, oddly, I noted that the FAQ still says it is conditionally approved:

"Ursack is the only SIBBG approved soft-sided canister. The container is made of a Spectra fabric and users are required in SIBBG areas to use the aluminum insert sold with the container."

http://sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/faqs.htm

Also, the Ursack web site and blog makes no mention of the approval being removed and Tom Cohen (the owner) has been good about being upfront about this.

I have an Ursack (the green color one) with liner. I plan to hike Yosemite and Whitney next summer. I really hope I can use my Ursack…

Ben,

I was there in Oct. When I picked up my permit, the park ranger asked about my container. I told her I had an Ursack 29 (green one with the metal liner). She mentioned that it was conditionally approved, but bears were compromising them.

I asked her if the problems were user error or structural. She said that she thought that for most people that it was too difficult to properly pull it tight when closing it. And also said that because you can not tie them to a tree at Yosemite, that this was probably another contribution to the problems.

What I did with my Ursack was asked Tom Cohen for where he got the bearproof rope and I ordered a longer length from his same supplier and replaced the rope — this allowed me to tie the bag to a boulder (instead of a tree). I also have a Bearikade (because for 1/2 year the Ursack was not even conditionally approved and I had gotten the Bearikade during that time). The weight difference is about the same when you factor in the liner, extra length rope. the rope is a spectra rope from I believe Western Marine — I think it is 5/32" thick rope, I forget. I can find the email from Tom if anyone is interested.

I found Tom's note: " You can buy it from West Marine or similar stores. We use New England Ropes T 100 in 5/32."

I got the rope at Western Marine online – "T-100 Technora-Spectra Double Braid" by New England Ropes.
T-100 5/32”, 2,300lb Breaking Strength 3474723 (WM Model), 2850-05-00900 (MFG Part #).

I bought the Vectran S21 in 2005 (when the company couldn't obtain their Spectra fabric) and earlier this year I upgraded to the Spectra S29 model. I have to agree that the S29 is difficult to close all the way. The fabric is heavy-duty, and coated as well, so it takes quite a bit of tugging to get a good closure. Maybe the Spectra will soften with use, but the older Vectran S21 model offered less bunching resistance and was much easier to close completely.

I hope the rumors are wrong about the Ursack Hybrid being taken off the conditional list. The company's owner has said that if Ursack's can't be used in SIBBG areas (which is a huge chunk of prime Sierra Nevada country) then they're pretty much SOL.

Dave,
There's a trick mentioned on the Ursack website for "breaking in" your Ursack, closurewise. Tie off the Ursack around a post, telephone pole, etc, just as you would in the real world(where it is permitted by wilderness rules-everywhere as far as I'm concerned). Then pretend you're a bear and reef on the sack as hard as you can. After a few tugs you should find your Ursack is fully closed. If you don't want to tie it off overnight and risk a ranger whack on the pinkies, you can still use this method to tighten it and then leave it free for the night. It may take a few times but I found it worked fine after that as the Spectra cloth limbered up. The other thing to keep in mind is NOT to overstuff the Ursack with goodies. It ain't a Xmas stocking.

hi ouzel >>> It ain't a Xmas stocking.

I guess I never got the memo : )

From the Ursack web site:
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-update.htm

“January 1, 2008.

The Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) has withdrawn its conditional
approval of the Ursack S29 Hybrid (Ursack with aluminum liner) for 2008. Ursack
is challenging this decision. There appears to be scant evidence to suggest that
the S29 Hybrid had a significant number of product failures in 2007. The nature
of Ursack’s challenge has not been finalized because we are waiting for SIBBG to
provide us with the specific evidence on which it based its decision. From what
we know so far, user error was the sole cause of three incidents in which bears
got food. In those cases, users did not cinch the opening completely—they failed
to remove all slack in the cinch cord and did not tie a secure knot. We
understand that SIBBG’s decision is exasperating for our loyal customers. It is
even more trying for us. We cannot run a business in which our only product is
reviewed year after year by a government agency making arbitrary and capricious
decisions about what equipment a camper may or may not use in the wilderness. We
respect the Sierra Rangers and much of the work they do, and have no desire to
file an unnecessary lawsuit. But it seems that may be the only way to bring this
see saw existence to a halt. Because the situation is fluid, we are changing our
return policy. Customers may return any new, unused, Ursack for a full refund
within one year of purchase. We hope that approval will be reinstated by SIBBG,
and that customers will hold onto their purchases until the situation is
resolved.”

Are you collecting statistics or testimonials about who uses Ursack? Contact all your past year or so customers.

For example, you've sold x number of them
and there are y documented breaches

Of the y number of breaches, z were due to user error

Hey George,
I just stumbled across your Xmas stocking reply to my Ursack post. Freakin' hilarious, man!

Tried to use the manly man Ursack to off-set my wife's Victorian style stockings – at least they were MYOG. She sews well and has saved my two MYOG sewing project so far.

My holiday enhancement only lasted about two minutes. Bears don't scare me, but remember that movie where that guy wakes up and realizes that his wife sewed him between the sheets so he could not escape when she beat him with a broom stick.

So I must behave so she'll keep helping me sew and/or not beat me up. : )