Ursack closer to being allowed in Yosemite?

I have to say… the Garcia canister is heavy and ugly, but it works. I've never heard of one failing, except maybe if it got pushed over a hundred-foot cliff.

–B.G.–

"except maybe if it got pushed over a hundred-foot cliff."

found this one scrambling up from upper hitchcock lake to the mt whitney switchbacks. looks like someone wasn't careful when unloading at trailcrest.. the lid was gone and there was a crack in the top rim. still food wrappers and other trash in the area

(found that pad too)

" (found that pad too) "

It's amazing to me what good junk I can find along the trail.

Some beginners don't understand how tightly gear needs to be attached to a pack. When camped, some beginners don't understand how easily stuff will blow away in a breeze. Others just don't care.

I watched an entire three-man dome tent blowing away over a ridgeline one time. The former occupants just stood there and watched it as well.

–B.G.–

Hiking So. bound from Pen-Mar in late March and found a sleeping bag hanging from a tree limb in the middle of the trail. Hadn't passed anyone in and day and a half so bundled it up and left it at the next shelter. Never did see anyone. I guess they just decided to go Extreme Ultralight.

"looks like someone wasn't careful when unloading at trail crest.."

Or, maybe someone just chucked it because they were carrying too much. Oops, I lost my canister. Oh, well.

Horses allowed up there? Seems they would load stuff securely in packs/panniers though.

Duane

I know I'm bringing back an old thread but…emailed ursack and they notified me that a test should be happening in April. I have high hopes.

Thank you for the update. High hopes here as well…

June 5, 2013

SUCCESSFUL GRIZZLY TEST. Ursack was tested in two configurations by the IGBC at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone on May 30, 2013. I was there for both tests. Check out a video excerpt on our Bear Test Videos page. This is a slightly newer version of the Ursack S29 AllWhite which since April 2013 is sewn with Spectra thread. Ursack did extremely well. The IGBC test protocol requiresthat a product must survive 60 minutes of bear contact, which is defined as: "biting, clawing, pounding, rolling, compressing, licking or scratching." More than one Grizzly worked on the Ursacks, but the clock only runs while a bear is actively engaged. In one test, at least three (possibly four) bears attacked a baited unlined Ursack tied about five feet up a tree trunk. At the end of 60 minutes, the Ursack was fully intact with no punctures or tears. I easily untied it from the tree and opened it without the use of tools. The current IGBC published protocol states that: "If the product is not breached within the required 60 minutes of bear contact time, it will be considered to have "passed" the captive bear test."

In the other test, an Ursack with an aluminum liner was placed on the ground and not tied to anything. Sam and Illie–a brother sister tag team (Sam weighs 950 pounds)–attacked the Ursack. This bag was torn after approximately forty three minutes of contact. My interpretation is that the grizzlies were able to use their massive shoulder strength and claws to compromise the Ursack. Black bears are very different. They do not have the shoulder strength (no hump) or size of grizzlies and their claws are different. We have tested lined Ursacks on the ground with captive black bears and the Ursacks have easily survived. In the thirteen years we have been in business selling across North America (including Alaska and Canada), I have never heard of a grizzly compromising an Ursack.

It is my very strong belief that Ursack, whether lined with aluminum or not, tied up a tree or not, would pass a captive bear test with black bears. I suspect that an Ursack (aluminum lined or not) tied up a tree to minimize claw and shoulder advantage would survive a captive grizzly test.

The IGBC has not issued its official evaluation yet. We hope to receive approval within a couple of weeks. Stay tuned. I will post video excerpts of the IGBC test soon.

Not sure I'd want to eat the contents of the Ursack after the workout the Grizzlies gave it!!

I hope the approval does come.

Jim, how are grizzleys able to use their strength? Please explain. What are they doing that black bears can't, whereas tied in a tree, their strength is of no use? I'd only be guessing.
Duane

You're not hungry enough then. It beats the alternative. I'll play the odds.

Duane, my post is a direct quote from the Ursack site.

Sorry Jim, thought you had a direct connection.
Duane

I don’t see ursack coming to yosemite any time soon. Unless the whole product has improved, they are not the reward free type of food protection the park wants in use. But the website makes it sound like only the stitching changed.

If the new bags can with stand up against teeth and claws without a puncture sans liner, that would be a huge improvement.

Ursack vs Bear

You don't understand…of COURSE it will pass all the tests and be allowed everywhere!!!

Because I just bought a bearikade.

As I read it, seems the UrSack passed the test when hung in the tree, but failed when on the ground. I'm guessing the park service will NOT be impressed with that failure. In addition, the test was for grizzlies. Not sure the CA parks will accept that test. In addition, there are other considerations, like tree damage. I believe Inyo Nat Forest allows UrSack use with metal liner, but NOT tied into the trees because it causes damage to trees when the bear claws at the bark. That is the test that the post said failed… the on the ground test.

I will be happily surprised if and when the Ursack is approved by Yosemite and SEKI, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Bill

The thing is, it seems like the Ursack works splendidly as long as it's never challenged. And hey, I've used one for years, and never had a problem. But after reading Jeremy's post, seeing his photos and the most recent test videos from the Ursack site, I have to conclude that it's not an effective protection system, either for our food or for the bears. Those bears in the test weren't simply persistent; they were being rewarded. Notice that they keep licking the bags. So even if they're just crushing the food, slobbering through the porous weave of the Ursack, and then licking off the now-food-flavored slobber, they're learning that attacking an Ursack pays off.

Jenifer- having not used my bear can yet I will be trying to send mine back for a refund should this thing get approved…. Lets be real hear I'd rather lose a Ursack to a bear than a bearikade. and I havent yet had a problem with bears. Not saying it wont happen I just would rather carry the Ursak and take my chances than carry a Expensive heavy UL bear can. I was fighting with myself buying it in the first place!!! It being the best of the all bad options.

When do they find out if it gets approved?

According to Ursack's website Yosemite and SEKI have turned over testing to the IGBC. They claim that if they receive approval from IGCB that they'll be permitted in the parks. I think they said they are hoping for approval in the next couple weeks.

"I think they said they are hoping for approval in the next couple weeks."

Yeah that was over a month ago that they wrote that right?

I was hoping someone in this vast community has an inside connection or maybe one of the reps is on here and can shed some light on the outcome?

"Yeah that was over a month ago that they wrote that right?"

No, they wrote that a week ago. The test was conducted on May 30th. They are hoping to receive approval due to the results of the test.

Something tells me that the Ursack is not going to get approved based on this test. Quoting directly from http://www.ursack.com/ursack-update.htm "The IGBC test protocol requires that a product must survive 60 minutes of bear contact" … "This bag was torn after approximately forty three minutes of contact." So there you have it.

"'This bag was torn after approximately forty three minutes of contact.' So there you have it."

I disagree. I think they have a great chance at approval. The bag was torn when it was left on the ground. It's not meant to be used in that manner. Straight from their website – "URSACK must be secured to a fixed object that is a safe distance from your camp site." When it was tied to the tree and used as suggested by ursack, it passed the test. I'm sure they'll take into consideration the fact that it could be compromised if a hiker left it out or used it improperly, but I don't think that alone, would be grounds for denial.