As we are preparing for our Heaven's Gate trip which will take place in bear country, it's a good idea to cover the topic of bear bags and how to hang them. Bear's have excellent smell and have no issues with rummaging through your camp and tents, (even when you're in them) to find those wonderful smells. There are many ways to do a bear hang, and over the years, the bears have learned how to foil most of those methods. We are going to look at the PCT Method of hanging a bear bag, which seems to be the most bear proof method, and the one I personally use.
I usually find a great article to post, however, this time I will be using some videos, and more to teach you everything you need to know to effectively hang your food and other scented items with the PCT Method. This method was first used by long distance hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, hence the name. Backpacking is a age old hobby on the West Coast, and so the bears have had a lot of experience learning how to slash at ropes causing food bags to rain down from above. The PCT method was developed to solve this problem, as you will learn in the videos below.
What You Will Need
15 meters (50') of 550 Paracord
Durable, Strong Carabiner (rated for at least 110kgs - 250lbs)
A Stick (You can use a piece of wooden dowel, or a strong stick off the ground)
Small Bag with Cinch Closure (Used to store everything and as a throw bag).
How To: The PCT Food Hanging Method
Video By: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
PCT Method - Knots
So now that you know how to hang your bag with the PCT Method, let's look at the two knots you will need to know in order to make it effective. The Figure of 8 on a Bight, and the Marlinspike Hitch.
Figure 8 on a Bight You will use this knot at the end of your paracord you plan to hang your food on. Simply tie the Figure 8 on a Bight in the end of the paracord, then clip the carabiner through the loop. You can then clip the throw bag full of small rocks to the carabiner and throw it over your branch. Once you complete that task, use the same carabiner to clip to your food bags and you are ready to pull everything up in place.
Video By: CMC Rescue
Marlinspike Hitch | How to Tie the Marlinspike Hitch -Step-by-Step instruction and history of the Marlinspike Hitch
You now have all the knowledge you need to complete this practical and safe method of storing your food and other scented items while in bear country. Knowing this technique will keep you safe and out of harms way. Be sure to make your bear hang kit, then practice a few times at home before heading into the back country. And remember, when removing your food bags from the system, always remove the trailing end of the rope from the carabiner, otherwise it can slide up and cinch around the tree branch making it impossible to retrieve.
Important Pro Tip:
Your Food Bags should always be hung in a tree at least 30 meters (100') away from your camp area. It is also best to prepare your meals and eat away from your camp. Never eat inside your tent, as the food scents will seep into your tent fabric and it will attract bears.
N.A.C. NEWS
(Sunday, July 24, 2022)
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Good Morning,
There are no events planned for this week. It's a relax week. With the current heat wave and the temperatures, that is probably a good thing! This past week saw temperatures of up to 36°C here in Southern Ontario. Over in the UK, they had new record highs of 40.3°C. It was so hot that they had to wrap the suspension cables of the famous Tower Bridge in heat reflective materials as the extreme sun could have caused the giant metal chain links to expand to the point of failure! As for myself, I was out guiding some of my AirBNB Niagara Glen Experinces this past week. It was incredibly hot, especially while climbing the 285 foot escarpment wall and 98 metal steps to exit the Niagara Glen. But it was great excercise, and as alway, I got to meet awesome people from all over the world and teach them about Niagara's Geological History. If you have friends or family visiting please share my AirBNB Experience with them. Don't miss out on the upcoming events! Next Friday evening, you can join me for some Indoor Rock Climbing at Ontario's Premiere Climbing Gym, Gravity Climbing Gym Hamilton. On the following Sunday, join Mike and Mel as they lead you along the 12km General Brock Side Trail that follows along side the Niagara River from Queenston to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is a very simple hike, perfect for beginners or those who want to take it easy that weekend! Please note, this hike is not dog friendly. Lastly, the Heaven's Gate Adventure is full, and planning is underway. We had a ZOOM Meeting this past Friday so that everyone can meet, and we discussed the rigors of backpacking one of Ontario's most difficult trails. The group is super excited to take part in this amazing adventure!
That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club