Bears can create a problem for campers, but in my experience it is the raccoons that are truly the food thieves. If you a fan of backpacking or spending time outdoors, then this is something you are well aware of. Mastering simple ways to protect your food supply while on an extended hike is essential. If an animal destroys your food supply you will need to cut the trip short.
To avoid such occurrences, be ready to properly store food and other items that attract animals. By hanging food in a tree with a PCT stick, animals are less likely to venture into a camping area. This is a simple survival technique that can be practiced at home before venturing out. The bear hang PCT method is a favorite of backpackers who travel light and still need to maintain safety.
Hang your bear bag to protect your food supply from more then just Yogi bear.
A bear bag is the common name to a lightweight protection bag with a roll-top to keep your food safe from intruders such as animals, harsh weather and bugs. The bag, attached to a throw-line, a carabiner and the PCT stick all work together to lift your food bag up and keep the animals out. When completed successfully your bear bag will be suspended more then 12 feet off the ground.
Scavengers find food left on the ground very quickly. Their noses are 1000 times stronger then ours and they search out food very fast. You will need to keep it in a safe space. Not only does the bear bag keep you from losing your food, but also from food poisoning and contamination. Make sure to buy a water proof bag to protect the food from moisture through the night or from rain.
Additionally, there are bear bags that are designed in such a way that they keep the odor of food from getting out. Since bears possess a strong sense of smell that is about 2100 times better than that of a human being, they are attracted to the smell and can find it wherever it is hidden. Thus the bag is designed in such a way to keep this from happening.
The bear bag is not just to store food. Bears are not only attracted to the smell of food only but to any item that has a smell. Anything with strong scents such as toothpaste, deodorant, bug sprays and sunscreen should all go in the bear bag to be hung in a tree.
Gather Your PCT Stick Bear Bag Hang Method Supplies
Even though it is advisable to get all the below items from a shop with specialized items for this purpose, you could also find most of them from natural places like the forest and substitute them. Below is the list of the things:
· A 50 ft Throwline / Paracord
· Carabiner
· PCT stick – Pencil sized stick
· Small stuff sack
· Bear bag (waterproof dry sack)
· Small rock
· Know how to tie a clove hitch
It is crucial to note that apart from the bear bag, there are options of using either a canister or a bear box to serve the same purpose.
Follow Carefully, the Hang A Bear Bag PCT Method
Although there are many ways of hanging a bear bag, the one commonly used is not as secure or trustworthy due to how it is done. It involves throwing a line on a branch of a tree and attaching the bear bag to the other end of the line. Next, it is pulled up high, and then the other end of the line is tied to a tree. However, this presents a problem since most bears are cunning and intelligent. After searching and moving around the tree, they find the end attached to the tree and cut it with their claws. Hence this method will leave you without any food by the morning.
Therefore, the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) bear hang method is the most secure to use. The following are the steps to follow:
1. Find A Suitable Branch
The location of the ideal tree should be downwind from your campsite, about 100 ft away. Its branch should have about 20 ft clearance from the ground and extended 6 ft from the tree’s trunk. Additionally, the branch should be sturdy enough to hold the bag’s weight but not big enough to hold the weight of a bear for it to walk on.
2. Prepare the Throwline or Paracord
Make a loop at the end of your rope and attach the carabiner. Then place the rock in the small stuff sack and hook it to the prepared carabiner. Now that one end of your rope has weight, it will be easy for you to throw this end over the tree branch for the PCT bear hang.
3. Throw the Prepared End Over the Branch
For security purposes and not to lose the rope, tie the string’s free end in a nearby branch or anything substantial in your vicinity. Now onto the hard part, throw the end with a bag over the tree branch. Although this might take a couple of tries, do not give up.
4. Attach Your Bear Bag
Once the rope is successfully across the branch, replace the small stuff sack with your bear bag. Now put the free end of the rope through the carabiner and pull your bag to the tree branch.
5. Attach the PCT Stick
With the bear bag in the same position, touching the tree branch, reach for the highest point you can touch on the rope and attach your PCT stick using a clove hitch knot. Place the PCT stick in front of the string for a successful knot, then rotate the rope around the PCT stick. Next, holding the rope with one hand, form a loop with your other hand and put the PCT stick through the created loop. Finally, pull the rope from one end to have a nicely placed knot.
6. Release the PCT Stick
Once the PCT stick is securely attached, gently let go of the rope, releasing the bear bag. The stick will act as a stopper as the rope slides over as the bag reaches it. It prevents the bag from dropping to the ground; therefore, it is suspended, forming a PCT bear hang.
Congratulations on your PCT hang, the bear bag should be hanging 12 ft above the ground and 4 ft from the tree’s trunk.
Bottom Line
The most outstanding features of the PCT bear hang-style is its capability of keeping bears from your food and the ease of access to your food. Additionally, it is a light system that keeps your food fresh. However, the hang bear bag PCT method has one downside: it is not applicable in areas without trees.