Ursack Selection for Northeast

I’d skip the Ursack and stick with your current method, even if it’s not a perfect hang.

Tell me more, Brad.

I know that my question is partly “don’t pack your fears” based on seeing reports on the internet and not my personal experience. I’m just concerned that I’m not giving food protection the attention it deserves.

So of you want an Ursack I think you’d be ok with the Major. I get your concern. When I went through that area on the AT there were a fair amount of successful bears pillaging bear hangs, especially in Harriman! They were experts, particularly   some cubs clearly trained by their mothers. Bear population also seems pretty big in NJ and N.Y. For me my Ursack got attacked in NH but it survived but for a few punctures, and most of my food survived.

Ok, so what about the rodents?

I know, it seems like I’m talking myself into the Almighty! This is like trying to pick the ‘right’ computer out of the Apple product line!

If you tie the ursac to tge the trunk of a tree as high as you can reach, i’d think you wouldn’t have to worry too much about rodents except, perhaps, squirrels?

I never had any trouble with rodents. I know they can supposedly can get through the Major given enough time, but I’ve never seen it, but bears yes!

I live on long Island.  I backpack in NY, NJ and PA. I am always in Harriman. I used to bear bag and hang.. but yes, at end of long day hiking.. it sucks finding the branch to hang from.. sometimes would take a good 20  minutes to find a spot. It was also a pain.. up and down up and down up and down.

I use an Ursack and i love it. Never had any problems with any animals at all. Last year i used my dividend from REI to buy the almighty.. just because.  I have not used it yet, and not sure i will need it. Like i said.. the Ursack has been working  perfectly.  We dont have to worry about grizzly bears here..

The Ursack is simple and fast and convenient.

Dirtbag :Which model major or minor?

Pretty sure its the major. 

It makes camping so much easier!! After long day hiking thru mountains.. Set up camp.. Cook.. Eat.. No need to search for that branch to hang food bag from.. And sometimes search it is.

It’s a bit of a conundrum, right? I’m facing a similar dilemma. If you are most concerned about critters, you get the Minor. If you’re most concerned about bears, you get the Major. If you have trouble with both, you get the Almighty for a whopping $140. You could get the Major ($90), insert a Ratsack (small: $40) for the critters, save about $10, and add a couple/few ounces. Of course, the critters might just wreck your Major before they reach your Ratsack. And if you decide to visit the Adirondack High Peaks between April and November, they’ll tell you to leave your Ursack at home and rent a bear canister. What about just getting a Bareboxer for 70-ish dollars and just use that all the time? Probably too small (275 cu. in.) and heavy (28 oz.) to use when you’re not in the High Peaks. I think I’m going to end up being dragged kicking and screaming toward the Ursack Almighty, but that price: ouch.

I use the major. Never have any issues with rodents or any critter getting into my food. I use an opsack liner inside of it. Lots of debate weather or not they work or not.  Doesn’t matter to me what the outcome is.. a few years using this set up and i have NEVER had an issue.  The Almighty is heavier and bulkier then the major, this is why i have yet to even take it out on a trip to try it out. I have a Bearikade Blazer that i would use when i get up to the high peaks if needed. The Ursack Major is my go to for everything else.

Tell me more, Brad.

I know that my question is partly “don’t pack your fears” based on seeing reports on the internet and not my personal experience. I’m just concerned that I’m not giving food protection the attention it deserves.

The Ursack is HEAVY. And it can lull one into a false sense of security and/or laziness. Reference the Ursack hang in the picture four posts above. That’s essentially an invitation for a bear to clock in and get to work. Nothing beats a good hang – it’s simpler and lighter.

Get yourself some of Lawson’s Bear Line and a Z-Packs Rock Bag.

https://lawsonequipment.com/Ultraglide-Bear-Line-p1073.html

https://zpacks.com/products/rock-stuff-sack

I knew someone would dig into me with that picture, lol.  I was not overly concerned with bear activity where I was camping.  In some of the shelters we even hang our food bags off rafter in front of the shelter.. In winter.  True, that is not the ideal hang for Ursack..  I will tell you this, probably 95% of people who “hang” their bear bag are not doing it correctly.  If I was in an area where I was worried about a black bear, I would tie my Ursack off a limb as per instruction… And that would still be way easier and quicker then finding a perfect branch to throw a rock bag over and get the correct bear bag hang. Not a false sense of security.. Know the area you are hiking and camping in. Where I hike and camp.. Ursack works for me in every way over a bear bag hang.

Know the area you are hiking and camping in. Where I hike and camp.. Ursack works for me in every way over a bear bag hang.

I can agree with that for sure.

Here in Montana the Ursack hang in your picture could lead to real trouble, but is obviously not necessarily the case where you are. Here, the reverse of your “95% incorrect”  bear hangs is true. Only occasionally do I see a poor one. But the stakes are a bit higher with so many grizzlies on the prowl (on top of a big black bear population).

I’ve never spent 20 minutes getting a good hang. Generally no more than 10 minutes, and the peace of mind is certainly worth it. But again, as you rightly point out, there are regional differences.

The challenge is that there’s no one solution for all situations. IIRC the original instructions for the ursack were to tie it to the trunk. Then it was a limb (not sure how you get to a limb that might be 30 feet up!), and now there’s something one the website suggesting you hang it. At that point, might as well go back to a PCT hang if I’m going to be looking for a proper tree and throwing rocks at it!.

I overnighted in Harriman last night. There wasn’t a single “appropriate” tree within 1/4 mile of my site. A lot of deadfall. I landed up doing an absolutely poor hang because that’s the only option I had beside sleeping with it. I’m going to give the Ursack a try if for no other reason that it’s one less thing to worry too much about in my particular neck of the woods.

And on the subject of incorrect hangs: I hiked through a campsite where someone obviously didn’t rig the hang properly and they had to cut part of it away, leaving a giant length of cord flopped over a tree.