Picking a bear hang starts with finding a tree with an appropriate branch. Fifteen feet up and five feet from the base of the tree is the minimum required, but with ursine acrobats, the higher the hang, the better. If you can hang your food from a limb thirty to fifty feet high, it's much more risky for a bear to attempt a grab. It also gives you the option of placing your food bag ten to fifteen feet below your hanging branch, which further confuses bears. If possible, pick a limb that really sticks out, one that is six inches in diameter at the attachment to the tree and has multiple branches - preferably that obstruct a bear's progress. It's best if your branch stands somewhat alone - it's easier to keep the food away from other branches the bear could use, and helps keep your food from getting stuck when retrieving it. It's important to pick a branch too thick for a bear to break off but to hang your rope far enough out on this branch that it won't support a bear's weight - even a cub's. Ponderosa pines and ancient lodgepoles most frequently have branches that meet these criteria. Pick a live tree and branch for your hang, because dead wood, even when very thick, is much more brittle and easy for a bear to break. The rope is less likely to slip off of your branch if the branch tip turns up or if there are perpendicular side branches to catch the rope. You don't want your rope to slide off of the branch should your adversary bend it while walking part way out.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- The Branch
- The Rope
- The Weight
- The Throw
- The Hang
- Summary
# WORDS: 2480
# PHOTOS: 5
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Discussion
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Thanks for the write up! Looking forward to trying this and the previous write up on this site for the PCT method.
Especially appreciate the video.
With the PCT method you can't pull the food as high (you're limited to half of your hang height plus your height) and can't pull it away from the tree to make it more confusing. I've never had a bear find the tie off rope except by accident and in that one case she bumped into it and walked toward the food. Having it hit the tie off tree at 5-6 feet prevents these accidental encounters.
Additionally the PCT method is more "fussy" (you have to hold the food while you tie in the string).
Another method to get your line up into the trees is to use a sling-shot to launch a small line with a weight on the end over the selected branch. Then tie your larger line used for hanging your bear bag onto the end of the lighter line and hoist it up.
To make your sling shot, use the method used to make guy-line tensioners, but do not have the line connected in the middle of the rubber tubing. The tubing will then stretch out to become the sling-shot power cord. Attach one end to the top of an Easton tent peg, the other to webbing to hold the shot
Here are photos of the sling-shot:
http://community.webshots.com/album/574683122TVwmEV
That's pretty slick–and for self defense too! I like how it breaks down into innocent pieces.
Yes- good points Kevin. It is tough to get that stick tied in place with the PCT method. Your approach is easier on that end for sure.
Hmm…you've got me thinking…
Thanks!
Doug
Kevin,
I really enjoyed the article and the video! I found them to be very helpful.
Thank you for your thoroughness. :)
Kendall
i've found that i am able to roll my 100' of parachute cord up into a ball (sort of like a ball of twine) and i can unwrap a length of cord and toss the remaining ball up over my chosen branch…. if i miss, i just roll the cord back up into a ball and try again…. never failed to get it hung yet in over 30 years of backpacking (better still….yogi's never gotten to my food bag!!)
Kevin,
Awesome article. Very well written and easy to understand. I know I am a bit late to the party on this thread, but I was wondering if you have a specific recommendation for the type of rope. None of the options on this site are 3mm or over, and all are higher than 300lb test. I looked into parachord, because the sheath is tightly woven, but again the test is higher than is probably realistic to break with body weight (about 450lb for the weakest one). Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
3mm cord is about right, parachute cord also works. While the test is ~300# I've relied on being able to break the rope by leaving the inevitable nicks that develop near the end due to the rock landing on it when throwing the rope. The spectra cord is never going to break. Fortunately I haven't had to break a rope for several years now.
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