Lighter replacement for paracord for emergency use and/or bear bag hang cord

For bear bagging purposes, you want a cord with a slick sheath. Otherwise, it has the effect of damaging the limb. You may find 50' to be too short. I found 60' or 75' to be more foolproof.

For general emergency cords, you probably want something with static, non-stretchy numbers.

–B.G.–

When you say static, non-stretchy numbers I'm assuming you're leaving out the nylon lines like the Handy Hundred. How do the others fare?

In climbing rope terminology, you have two kinds of ropes: static and dynamic.

Static ropes are not stretchy. Dynamic ropes have a lot of stretch, because they are intended for leader falls.

Normal backpackers want something lightweight and mostly not stretchy. Dyneema and Spectra tend to be in this category. Most Paracord that I have had is much cheaper, but more stretch to it.

–B.G.–

Sampson Zing-It line made as a throw line for tree trimmers is the stuff for bear bagging. I carry 60 feet and use the PCT method for hanging.

You can do a lot with paracord when doing survival improvising. I made a cobra braid hat band for my Tilley hat, giving me 27 feet of line when I need it. I also made a cobra braid paracord survival bracelet with about 8 feet of line, a whistle in the buckle and a watchband compass.

The Handy Hundred sounds a lot like the micro rope from Attwood Rope Co. that we use, except rated a little higher. The micro is 1/16 in, 85 lb (8.5work but I don't understand what the means in practical terms) and cost $7 for 300 ft. The other thing I like about the micro is it ties and holds easliy for knots like a slippery half-hitch. I think I'll check into the HH though – sounds better.

Experience packers help me out here – I could use some opinions – what do I need anything more than 100 lb test for? (except hanging hammocks) Especially the ultra-thin lines – I can't hold anything heavy without cutting into my hands anyway. 550 would be good for emergency use like hauling someone fallen through the ice, but what else?

> Any recommendations?
Visit a kite shop.

Cheers

One time in Yosemite's Lyell Canyon, I watched as some friends attempted to hoist their bear bag up over a steel cable. Of course this was back in the days before bear canisters were used. It was a lot of good food for a lot of hikers, so they loaded the heavy load all into one big Army canvas duffle bag. They tied a paracord on, threw it over the steel cable, and then attempted to hoist it. Three strong men pulled with all of their might before they could get that bag up.

The whole thing was stupid. First, they should have had a slicker cord to use against a steel cable. Second, they could have distributed it into multiple small bags instead of one giant bag. If they had distributed it into an even number of small bags, they could have counterbalanced them. Then, the three guys pulling the cord were hurting their hands. If they had twisted the cord around sticks, it is a lot easier to pull. Even then, you don't try to pull the other end "down." Instead, you pull the other end "out" by walking it out. They just did not stop to think about what they were doing.

–B.G.–

Bob-thanx for sharing that–I'm afraid that I would have been something like those folks. Simple suggestions, but immensely valuable. I'm edified.

I use Cord from Sterling rope it is manufacture for rock climbers and comes in 2mm thickness on up. It is a solid core verse a soft core like paracord. I have found the 2.75 mm thickness works best with Nexus line loc 3 ladder lock buckles.

I believe the "Mountainfitter Guywire 2mm Dyneema Cord 1" is the same thing as Zing-it.

Both are slick and don't cut/saw into tree limbs that most other line do.

Simply do a search for arborist throw lines. They are designed for holding a lot of weight and are slick so as not to damage trees.

Wesspur is a good place to start and they are easy to deal with.

http://www.wesspur.com/throw-line/zing-it-throw-line.html

The light flat cord sold on this site for bear bags works very well for its intended purpose. It's very slippery, so I'm not sure how well it might work as a general cord.

I'm not sure if it's the same as the stuff Mountainfitter sells, mentioned earlier, but I just use the heavier spectra cord that ZPack sells. It's sticky thoug but seems to work well. I use his Cuben food bag too.

Zing-It

Try masons line from home depot. You could get 300ft for around 5 dollars. I have not personally tried it for bear bagging but intend to. If you do get it, be sure to get braided and not twisted.

-Samuel Kau

Although I prefer braided masons line for guylines and such, it may be too thin and abrasive for some softwood tree branches, cutting in deep enough to have the line snag in the groove.

This can make it hard to retrieve your food bag.
In some cases, people have been known to abandon their food bag because they couldn't get it down after the line snagged and then broke from the tugging.

A thicker smoother line would be better.