Bear canister tips

  • At least 200 ft (60 m) from campsite
  • At least 100 ft (30 m) from water and cliffs (to prevent losing it)
  • Tuck it somewhere but not where bears can try to lever it open
  • Place it somewhere where you can find it again easily (visible)
    • Add reflective tape

PCT food hanging method

Video

Needed

  • Dry bag/DCF bag as main food storage container (food bag)
  • Rock bag to throw over branch with rock inside
  • 50 ft slick line paracord
  • Carabiner

Overview

  • 20-25 ft (6-8 m) high tree branch
  • 6 ft (2 m) out from tree trunk
  • 12 ft (4 m) high bag hang

Steps (do before setting up tent)

  • Attach rock bag to paracord with carabiner
  • Throw rock bag over branch (don’t hold on to paracord)
  • Put all items that smell (food related or otherwise!) into food bag
  • Remove rock bag and attach food bag to carabiner
  • Run free end of paracord through carabiner
  • Pull on free bag to lift food bag to top of branch (if food bag is heavy, wrap paracord around stick and use as handle to pull; remove stick once food bag at top)
  • Place yourself directly underneath branch
  • Tie stick perpendicular to paracord using eg marlinspike hitch
  • Let go of line carefully until stick catches carabiner and locks bag into place
  • To retrieve bag, pull on free end of cord until stick comes down to you and pull it out of hitch knot