As a fan! I was very impressed! Very cool Nonchalant way Dixie slipped that award in there. Just like Dixie not to make a big deal about it. But to acknowledge it.
Excellent and useful video, Dixie! I've used the first and third methods before (number three comes in handy out West where there are fewer deciduous trees). One tip: If you're using a large rock to loft your line across a branch, make sure to step to the side after you throw, or you may face "the pendulum of doom" coming your way on the back end. Not that this has ever happened to me, of course.
Wow, I was proud of you the moment I saw the subtle TH-cam award reveal. You deserve that, you know we love you for you. It's a great channel and everyone agrees.
I was in the Nevada Sierras one night and we used a campfire to keep the wildlife away. It didn't work-out very well!!! I nodded-out and, when I woke-up, there was one flame about 10 - 12 inches high, a bag of candy to my right and a black bear standing to my left salivating over the candy. Also, I had to leave the safety of the fire for more wood throughout the night (we got there, just, before sunset). I'd seen 2 pair of eyes but, without more wood- to keep the fire going, in-camp would quickly become out-there so, there wasn't "much of a choice to make." As I disturbed a piece of wood it disturbed a rattler (couldn't see but did hear it). THANK GOD FOR THAT RATTLER!!! It bit one of the panthers (the one affixing it's teeth to my neck)- saving my life! I'm a bit "hard of hearing" and like to point-out that it's better to be "hard of hearing" than "hard of understanding" but, I admit that I'm baffled you can feel comfortable "out there" with no-more- for a weapon- than that little blade hanging from your neck.
I was an Assistant Scoutmaster here in CA from ‘97-‘03. We used the counterbalance method: you take two stuff sacks/food bags & evenly divvy up the food & smellables between the two bags by weight. You throw the rock w/ cord tied around it over the appropriate branch, tie a carabiner to the end of the cord & clip bag #1 to it, haul bag #1 up until it kisses the branch. Tie a slipknot into the cord above your head, put a carabiner through the loop of the slipknot, & tighten. Stuff the excess/loose end of the cord into bag #2, & use a trekking pole/long stick to push bag #2 up until it’s as high up & balanced w/ bag #1. In the morning, prod one of the bags until the 2 bags unbalance, & retrieve your bags & food. On a trip doing half the JMT (Happy Isle to Muir Trail Ranch, out over Florence Lake on the ferry) we bumped into a couple at the campsites below the north side of Donohue Pass, right near the footbridge. They were also doing the counterbalance method, but they passed a 2nd parachute cord through the carabiner they attached to bag #1, but didn’t tie the 2nd cord to to anything. When bag #2 was attached to the end of the 1st cord, and the excess cord stuffed into bag #2, they took the 2 ends of the 2nd cord, held them together, and used the 2nd cord to haul bag #2 up until it was even with bag #1. They then took the ends of the 2nd cord & draped them in bushes in opposite directions. Not being tied to anything, & just passing through the carabiner, if a bear were to grab on of the loose ends of the 2nd cord & were to tug on it, the cord would just pull through the carabiner, and the bags would still be hanging; but if you in the morning (if a bear left the 2nd cord alone (which they always did for us) bring the 2 ends of the 2nd cord back together you can pull on them together & lower the bags.
Thanks for sharing this practical knowledge. Hanging a bear bag is mentioned in many backpacking videos, but there is a dearth of examples. Much appreciated.
Dixie, great videos on and off trail. One critique though...knots. Gotta learn some knots. When tying off to a wrapped-around-a-trunk-line you’re using a slip knot, consider a bowline to grip the line your lashing to. And in the clothes line hang, the third one, the bag hanging loop really wants a full pass around the lines before feeding the bite through. This will give you a figure eight knot, one that is much easier to break open after a ten pound food bag is working the knot all night. :-) Keep up the amazing work!
Christopher Tallman True - and figure 8 on a bight is incredibly easy and fast to tie and untie. 3rd hang method is fastest and easiest in my experience so I usually just tie the figure 8 in the middle first before throwing the ends over branches.
Our food bags on canoe trips are often considerably heavier because there is no opportunity to resupply every few days. Using any of these 3 methods, there is way too much friction between the branch and rope to get a heavy food pack up. So we use a 2 rope combination of Dixie's first and third methods. The first rope is thrown over a high branch then one end is lowered to the ground. Tie on a small lightweight pulley and thread the second rope through the pulley. Tie the 2 ends of the second rope together so you can't lose it. Raise the pulley back up to the branch and tie that rope off. Untie the ends of the second rope then tie one end of it to the food bag. Pull the other end to raise the food bag up then tie it off on the tree trunk using a trucker's hitch which is easy to undo later to lower the food bag. Using this method, you can set up the ropes while it's still daylight and hang the food bag later. Or even bring it up and down several times if you're camped on the same site for several days. The 'rope' I use is lightweight paracord. The pulley is my own innovation. You should be able to buy one at any hardware store for a couple of bucks. We leave it attached to the rope all the time. Dixie, thanks for showing the second method, PCT Style. I'd never seen that and I want to try it. It's a nice method for lighter weight food bags.
That is a good idea. A few days ago I came across a video by someone who independently came up with a similar idea, except he uses a metal ring instead of a pulley. He calls it the 2CR method (2 cords and a ring). ... th-cam.com/video/T9L4ORK62oM/w-d-xo.html.
Thanks for showing this with 'real world' trees. Many other vids seem to find the absolutely perfect tree to demonstrate on, which have thus far eluded me in my travels through the brush.
I spent a summer in late 70s working at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Lots of Boy Scouts hiking through and lots of bears. We always used the third method of suspending bag between two trees since the bears always seemed to be able to down a bag suspended from a tree limb. This usually worked, but some bears there had learned the "Kamakaze" technique of climbing above the suspended bag and diving onto it!
I love you, Dixie. The other videos I watched re: the PCT method were all "use this knot, use that knot." I was desperately trying to learn the damn knots and then forgetting them. I have never been a knot person. Watched your video and DUH. It's perfectly simple. I can do it easily just looping the damn stick in there. Thank you for keeping it real!
This is a great video: short, excellent demos and explanation, no dumb intro graphics. Subscribed because of this. 10/10 Appi trail vet. Would camp with!
When using the PCT methid, use a locking carabener to prevent the loose end of the line from pushing through the gate again (in bad weather or careless handling) effectivcly locking the line to the bener.
I'm an out of shape truck driver. I have a van I traveled in doing the vanlife thing but I started watching your videos and it really got me out there. I'm planning on finally returning to my hometown in crossville, tennessee and doing some section hiking with my dog. I'm currently in Colorado.
Realize this is an older post, congratulations on your award anyway! I'm hooked on your great content and the really cool person you are. Thank you for all you give to the community.
Another good video, Dixie, as always. For the past 40 years or so, I've used the third method you showed (between two trees) for the reasons you described. I've NEVER been unable to hang because as you said, it is far less dependent on perfect trees being available. A couple of thoughts, though. (1) Throw the rock bag, and let it fall all the way to the ground rather than stopping or slowing it by gripping the line. If folks will do that, they will NEVER have the problem of the bag getting wrapped around a limb high up in the tree. (2) Instead of tying a loop in the middle between the trees (like you did) and inevitably having to adjust it or settle for a less-than-optimum position, I use a small 'biner with 10-12 feet of line attached to it that I just clip in the middle area then let the line hang down. Now you can attach your main line at both ends without worrying about getting a loop to fall in the middle. Then attach your food bag to that 'biner and hoist your bag at night, tie it off, and grab the 10'-12' line hanging down and pull the bag to the center of the line. Just a couple of thoughts from an old guy who has lots of mistakes behind him.
Hello. I am looking to improve my backpacking skills and am trying to fully understand this method you are explaining. I am understanding that you hook a carabiner with 12 feet of line to the main line then hoist it up and tie it off on both ends. I see how you could slide that line to the middle but I am curious. After you've raised the main line how do you raise the food bag? Sorry if a silly question but I'd like to use your skill if I can understand it.
@@erikraper5940 Yeah, what I said leaves out one detail: attach the food bag to the 'biner, not the end of 12' of line. Envision this: the line between the two trees pitched and pulled taut and tied off at both ends. Somewhere between the two trees is the bag attached to that line with a biner. And knowing that you might need to adjust where the bag lies between the two trees, you've attached 12' of line to the biner and let it hang down toward the ground so you can grab it and use it to position the bag where you want it. I know this may all sound complicated but it's easier to do than to explain, and I've found it a lot easier than looking for a limb suitable for a PCT hang.
You are more popular than the mayor of a good sized town ... people actually WANT to hear you talk! Congratulations on the followings & award. Nice touch adding it to the video. I'm an experienced BPr and you just taught me two things. Thanks!
That's a hell of an arm you have throwing overhand up into a tree. Those little tent stake bags that come with the cheap tents make excellent rock bags.
Thank you for actually showing the rope close up when you attach to carbiner and when showing the stick for the PCT style. I watched many a dude try and show me how....ah yes, it took a lady to do the camera work right. Heading off to the Long Trail for some Corona virus escapism with my 5 year old. Wouldn’t be doing it confidently without your tips.
This is an amazing video!!! The 3rd method is what we wish we knew on the Foothills Trail! We ended up just packing all the food in our odor free bags and into 1 pack and set it far from the tents and just prayed. Luckily we had no issues but this will make my Mom, kids, and I feel so much better on our next backpacking trip!
Congrats on the play button, a tip to store the cord. When your headed back out, dump the rocks from the little bag and then feed the cord into the bag with the draw string pulled just tight enough to let the cord go in. Dont let the last part of the end go in the bag. It might take you a bit but when you go to get it out to hang again it will feed out like it is on a bobbin from the bag. I actually sewed up a bag myself with 2 comparents, one on either end of a small tube of fabric, it was just large enough to hold about 1 pound of rocks in each compartment, one side holds the cord while the other side can be stuffed with rocks. When I am out canoeing I use the same bag as a boat rope bag to be able to toss to another boat in trouble or use the cord to tie off when I take a break.
Thank you. This was the first time I had seen the third method. F-ing genius! In Michigan it is hard to find that perfect tree. Glad to have you for a teacher!
Hey Dixie, Thanks for this video. It is on my favorites list. I just did my first multi-day backpacking trip and I felt totally confident about hanging my bear bag, even though I'd never done it. My bag was hung (both nights) like a champion and I have you to thank. Can't wait to get out in the woods again!! Thank you for this and I can't wait for the next new video.
Congrats Dixie! My wife and I just received the two t-shirts we bought from you yesterday. We love them! Don't be surprised if you come down into Montgomery seeing people wearing them. My entire office watches your videos ...keep at it!
4:00 On that PCT hang, if you don't collapse your loop down all the way before you put your stick or toggle in there, it forms a marlin spike hitch, which will be a little more stable.
I love just listening to you talk. I needed a Dixie fix today. I'd suggest learning a couple of knots to help do these: the clove hitch (for tying to trees, and the stick in #2) and the Alpine Butterfly to make static loops (for the middle loop of method #3). The overhand loop you used (#3) can pull tight under a load and be hard/impossible to untie, the butterfly will come right out. The clove hitch is made for tying a line around a post/stick and it too will come out easily. There are tons of videos on how to tie both of them here on YT.
The two knots that i use the most are probably the bowline and the clove hitch. As you mentioned, the clove hitch is much easier for removing the stick. For tieing cordage around a tree I use a knot that I believe is called a lumberjack hitch, real simple and real easy to untie. The last knot that I use is a slipknot of sorts that works great for tightening and loosening a line. Unfortunately, I can't remember what it is called. I noticed that Six Moons Design uses it on the main guyline of their Gatewood Cape tarp.
Any tips for bear line that gets tangled in branches as you throw? How to prevent that or save yourself agony of having to unwind it? Thanks again for a great video!
We don't even have bears here in Australia. But that is so cool. It will help to keep meat and stuff from wild dogs etc. The last 2 are for sure my favorite. Thanks...........Damon
Cool thanks! I haven't hiked in bear country and I always wondered how about the areas with trees and not many branches! Have a blessed Christmas and a great New year!
That last method would have come in handy at least 3 time in this year of AT section hikes. It's a lot easier to find two trees close enough to string a bear line between than a tree with the perfect limb. I've become quite fond of night hiking and this is especially true when searching with a headlamp! I had a hell of a time at 10pm at the Fingerboard Shelter in NY this year and that shelter definitely has a problem bear!
Jim Myrick lm waiting to start mine (2020) in April. I’m more impatient than any of my (4) last trimesters of pregnancy! It’s sooo hard to wait for something you’ve been preparing for, for years!!!!
Thanks for an informative video. Just hiked South Rim trail in Big Bend National Park in Texas. Trees are so short there that this wouldn't work. Luckily the trail camp sites came with bear boxes. If you ever wonder what SR camp site to pick, go for SR-3. The best camp sites with fantastic views.
Most of my backpacking is in Colorado, so number 3 is perfect since all of our trees have dinky branches. Makes finding the right (pair of) trees super easy! Most of the people I know have never heard of the double tree method.
In Yosemite in 1977 we followed method 1. Mama bear and two cubs chased us out of camp. Mama cub one climb up to limb. Bounced it until the limb broke. Got back the next morning after being chased by mama and cubs all night. Bedded down and found out what it was like to get batted about by Mama bear. That’s another story. Thanks Dixie!
Dixie, How long did it take to unwind the cord wrapped around the branch at 5:31? The way to prevent that from happening is to completely let go of the cord and just let it fly. If you hold on to the cord after you throw the weight it tends to wrap around the branch, if you release the cord , the weight will fall to the ground. I temporarily secure the loose of the cord to my bag on the ground to keep it from following the weighted end over the tree. Our club is doing bear bag hanging training/competition today at a local park. Happy hiking. George, Appalachian Trail Club of Florida
A slight alternative to option 3 or PCT method is to do the PCT method on a high branch that juts out only a bit and then use the rope that hangs down to angle\pull to another tree pulling it away from the original tree a heap. You still have a rope that goes to another tree but means you can get a hang pretty much anywhere. Probably slightly easier and more flexible than option 3. I'll have to give option 3 a go where it's easier in future too. Once you get some experience with hanging it really doesn't take a lot of effort to get it right and saves worrying about bears and other things coming for your food at night.
This is exactly the instructional video I have been looking for, thank you! Question though, is it common for the rock sack to loop around the limb several times and get caught on the limb or for the line to get tangled in the tree? If so, do you have wisdom for taking care of this without climbing a tree, lol?
I learned a method from Yosemite hikers back in the hippie days: Divide food and cooking/garbage into two equal weight bags, pull first bag all the way up, reach up as high as you can to attach second bag, wrap up extra cord next to second bag with a loop hanging out, use your hiking stick or pole to push second bag up which lets first bag come down so they are both on the same level above where a bear can reach. Use the same pole to grab the loop to retrieve in the morning. The good thing about this method is you are not leaving anything in reach of the bear for them to mess with.
Couple thoughts: 1. There are lines out there that are lightweight and small, like the zpack dynema stuff. They are good options for weight conscious hikers but may be spendy. Arborist lines work but can stretch so look for the ones that don't. 2. Be very careful of the line you use. Any line you use, can and will snag at Murphy's discretion. So, find line that does not snag or cut into the tree when pulling up the weight. I can't count the number of lines I've seen left in trees due to being snagged. Test your line before you go. 3. A good option is to hang a biner from a tree branch using one line and have it act as the friction point for your actual food line. All it costs is a little extra line but it makes raising the food much easier and is way less likely to snag. To do this, throw a line over a branch. Tie/hook a biner to the end and run your actual food line through the biner and hoist it up. Now tie/hook your food bag to the line you pulled up with the biner and hoist it up. Bags: A dry bag is a good option. If you keep a trash bag in it, you can keep your trash in the bottom, then just add your food on top when you hang the bag. Since you need to hang both its a natural option.
I didn't think a bear bag was necessary until one night on the Pinhoti trail between Porters Gap and Adams Gap trail head I had a bear come down the mountain towards my camp at night while I was having coffee and eating a beef stick. Thankfully when I turned and shined my headlamp on him or her it ran away. A little bit exhilarating!!!! I will use a bear hang from now on. Thanks for the video Dixie!!
Many would also tie a clove hitch on the stick when using the PCT method. I like the third idea and definitely useful. During my AT thru this year I came up with a fourth method. Also congrats on the TH-cam play button!
Im starting thru-hiking the AT thanks to you dixxie!! 💚 had the pct on mind but the rattlesnakes creep me out haha thanks again for your super usefull advice!
I use a trekking pole to push a heavy bag up high since pulling on the cord/line can be difficult. The pointy end of the pole can usually stick part-way through the carabiner to help with this.
For method 3, use a clove hitch (or, if you want to show off, an alpine butterfly loop) to attach your carabiner to the center of the rope. They are easier to untie than an overhand knot after being loaded, especially on smaller diameter cordage like para cord. Also, if you can, tie off the end of the rope to a different tree.
Way to be humble on that amazing fricken award!!!!! Congratulations Alabama!
Haha I was gonna comment, terrific humble brag. She deserves it.
As a fan! I was very impressed! Very cool Nonchalant way Dixie slipped that award in there. Just like Dixie not to make a big deal about it. But to acknowledge it.
honestly great execution.
She literally slipped it in there lol
Excellent and useful video, Dixie! I've used the first and third methods before (number three comes in handy out West where there are fewer deciduous trees). One tip: If you're using a large rock to loft your line across a branch, make sure to step to the side after you throw, or you may face "the pendulum of doom" coming your way on the back end. Not that this has ever happened to me, of course.
John Alden Hahaha, yes! I meant to mention this :) I almost knocked my teeth out on the AT learning this lesson!
Wow, I was proud of you the moment I saw the subtle TH-cam award reveal. You deserve that, you know we love you for you. It's a great channel and everyone agrees.
I was in the Nevada Sierras one night and we used a campfire to keep the wildlife away. It didn't work-out very well!!! I nodded-out and, when I woke-up, there was one flame about 10 - 12 inches high, a bag of candy to my right and a black bear standing to my left salivating over the candy. Also, I had to leave the safety of the fire for more wood throughout the night (we got there, just, before sunset). I'd seen 2 pair of eyes but, without more wood- to keep the fire going, in-camp would quickly become out-there so, there wasn't "much of a choice to make." As I disturbed a piece of wood it disturbed a rattler (couldn't see but did hear it). THANK GOD FOR THAT RATTLER!!! It bit one of the panthers (the one affixing it's teeth to my neck)- saving my life! I'm a bit "hard of hearing" and like to point-out that it's better to be "hard of hearing" than "hard of understanding" but, I admit that I'm baffled you can feel comfortable "out there" with no-more- for a weapon- than that little blade hanging from your neck.
I was an Assistant Scoutmaster here in CA from ‘97-‘03. We used the counterbalance method: you take two stuff sacks/food bags & evenly divvy up the food & smellables between the two bags by weight. You throw the rock w/ cord tied around it over the appropriate branch, tie a carabiner to the end of the cord & clip bag #1 to it, haul bag #1 up until it kisses the branch. Tie a slipknot into the cord above your head, put a carabiner through the loop of the slipknot, & tighten. Stuff the excess/loose end of the cord into bag #2, & use a trekking pole/long stick to push bag #2 up until it’s as high up & balanced w/ bag #1. In the morning, prod one of the bags until the 2 bags unbalance, & retrieve your bags & food.
On a trip doing half the JMT (Happy Isle to Muir Trail Ranch, out over Florence Lake on the ferry) we bumped into a couple at the campsites below the north side of Donohue Pass, right near the footbridge. They were also doing the counterbalance method, but they passed a 2nd parachute cord through the carabiner they attached to bag #1, but didn’t tie the 2nd cord to to anything. When bag #2 was attached to the end of the 1st cord, and the excess cord stuffed into bag #2, they took the 2 ends of the 2nd cord, held them together, and used the 2nd cord to haul bag #2 up until it was even with bag #1. They then took the ends of the 2nd cord & draped them in bushes in opposite directions. Not being tied to anything, & just passing through the carabiner, if a bear were to grab on of the loose ends of the 2nd cord & were to tug on it, the cord would just pull through the carabiner, and the bags would still be hanging; but if you in the morning (if a bear left the 2nd cord alone (which they always did for us) bring the 2 ends of the 2nd cord back together you can pull on them together & lower the bags.
i snorted when you put your silver award in your food bag. congrats girl you deserve it! looking forward to seeing your gold award :)
Thanks for sharing this practical knowledge. Hanging a bear bag is mentioned in many backpacking videos, but there is a dearth of examples. Much appreciated.
thaliacrew1 Thank you!
We used a sling shot with a fishing weight to shoot an antenna line up into a tree or light post, so this might work for bear bags as well.
We don't have wild bears here in Costa Rica. However, definitely I'm trying this out on my next camping trip!! Thanks!!
Dixie, great videos on and off trail. One critique though...knots. Gotta learn some knots. When tying off to a wrapped-around-a-trunk-line you’re using a slip knot, consider a bowline to grip the line your lashing to. And in the clothes line hang, the third one, the bag hanging loop really wants a full pass around the lines before feeding the bite through. This will give you a figure eight knot, one that is much easier to break open after a ten pound food bag is working the knot all night. :-)
Keep up the amazing work!
Get the app . . . Knots 3D . . . :o)
Christopher Tallman True - and figure 8 on a bight is incredibly easy and fast to tie and untie. 3rd hang method is fastest and easiest in my experience so I usually just tie the figure 8 in the middle first before throwing the ends over branches.
Our food bags on canoe trips are often considerably heavier because there is no opportunity to resupply every few days. Using any of these 3 methods, there is way too much friction between the branch and rope to get a heavy food pack up. So we use a 2 rope combination of Dixie's first and third methods.
The first rope is thrown over a high branch then one end is lowered to the ground. Tie on a small lightweight pulley and thread the second rope through the pulley. Tie the 2 ends of the second rope together so you can't lose it. Raise the pulley back up to the branch and tie that rope off. Untie the ends of the second rope then tie one end of it to the food bag. Pull the other end to raise the food bag up then tie it off on the tree trunk using a trucker's hitch which is easy to undo later to lower the food bag.
Using this method, you can set up the ropes while it's still daylight and hang the food bag later. Or even bring it up and down several times if you're camped on the same site for several days.
The 'rope' I use is lightweight paracord. The pulley is my own innovation. You should be able to buy one at any hardware store for a couple of bucks. We leave it attached to the rope all the time.
Dixie, thanks for showing the second method, PCT Style. I'd never seen that and I want to try it. It's a nice method for lighter weight food bags.
That is a good idea. A few days ago I came across a video by someone who independently came up with a similar idea, except he uses a metal ring instead of a pulley. He calls it the 2CR method (2 cords and a ring). ... th-cam.com/video/T9L4ORK62oM/w-d-xo.html.
Thanks for showing this with 'real world' trees. Many other vids seem to find the absolutely perfect tree to demonstrate on, which have thus far eluded me in my travels through the brush.
I spent a summer in late 70s working at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Lots of Boy Scouts hiking through and lots of bears. We always used the third method of suspending bag between two trees since the bears always seemed to be able to down a bag suspended from a tree limb. This usually worked, but some bears there had learned the "Kamakaze" technique of climbing above the suspended bag and diving onto it!
I love you, Dixie. The other videos I watched re: the PCT method were all "use this knot, use that knot." I was desperately trying to learn the damn knots and then forgetting them. I have never been a knot person. Watched your video and DUH. It's perfectly simple. I can do it easily just looping the damn stick in there. Thank you for keeping it real!
So good, thanks! This will come in handy for my Algonquin trip coming!!
This is a great video: short, excellent demos and explanation, no dumb intro graphics. Subscribed because of this.
10/10 Appi trail vet. Would camp with!
When using the PCT methid, use a locking carabener to prevent the loose end of the line from pushing through the gate again (in bad weather or careless handling) effectivcly locking the line to the bener.
"i don't think i'm strong enough to do this" says the woman who crossed america three times and earned the triple crown.
😊👍🏼
I'm an out of shape truck driver. I have a van I traveled in doing the vanlife thing but I started watching your videos and it really got me out there. I'm planning on finally returning to my hometown in crossville, tennessee and doing some section hiking with my dog. I'm currently in Colorado.
Realize this is an older post, congratulations on your award anyway! I'm hooked on your great content and the really cool person you are. Thank you for all you give to the community.
Another good video, Dixie, as always. For the past 40 years or so, I've used the third method you showed (between two trees) for the reasons you described. I've NEVER been unable to hang because as you said, it is far less dependent on perfect trees being available. A couple of thoughts, though. (1) Throw the rock bag, and let it fall all the way to the ground rather than stopping or slowing it by gripping the line. If folks will do that, they will NEVER have the problem of the bag getting wrapped around a limb high up in the tree. (2) Instead of tying a loop in the middle between the trees (like you did) and inevitably having to adjust it or settle for a less-than-optimum position, I use a small 'biner with 10-12 feet of line attached to it that I just clip in the middle area then let the line hang down. Now you can attach your main line at both ends without worrying about getting a loop to fall in the middle. Then attach your food bag to that 'biner and hoist your bag at night, tie it off, and grab the 10'-12' line hanging down and pull the bag to the center of the line. Just a couple of thoughts from an old guy who has lots of mistakes behind him.
Excellent tips, particularly the first. Ending up with multiple wraps of a cord over a high branch is no fun.
Hello. I am looking to improve my backpacking skills and am trying to fully understand this method you are explaining. I am understanding that you hook a carabiner with 12 feet of line to the main line then hoist it up and tie it off on both ends. I see how you could slide that line to the middle but I am curious. After you've raised the main line how do you raise the food bag? Sorry if a silly question but I'd like to use your skill if I can understand it.
@@erikraper5940 Yeah, what I said leaves out one detail: attach the food bag to the 'biner, not the end of 12' of line. Envision this: the line between the two trees pitched and pulled taut and tied off at both ends. Somewhere between the two trees is the bag attached to that line with a biner. And knowing that you might need to adjust where the bag lies between the two trees, you've attached 12' of line to the biner and let it hang down toward the ground so you can grab it and use it to position the bag where you want it. I know this may all sound complicated but it's easier to do than to explain, and I've found it a lot easier than looking for a limb suitable for a PCT hang.
You are more popular than the mayor of a good sized town ... people actually WANT to hear you talk! Congratulations on the followings & award. Nice touch adding it to the video. I'm an experienced BPr and you just taught me two things. Thanks!
That's a hell of an arm you have throwing overhand up into a tree. Those little tent stake bags that come with the cheap tents make excellent rock bags.
You always have a calm, friendly mien during your discussions. Excellent!
Locking caribiners are a must. Don't want that sucker to grab a branch. Thanks for sharing.
That’s the cutest bear bag tutorial I’ve ever seen. Tricky at night too.
Thank you for actually showing the rope close up when you attach to carbiner and when showing the stick for the PCT style. I watched many a dude try and show me how....ah yes, it took a lady to do the camera work right. Heading off to the Long Trail for some Corona virus escapism with my 5 year old. Wouldn’t be doing it confidently without your tips.
This is an amazing video!!! The 3rd method is what we wish we knew on the Foothills Trail! We ended up just packing all the food in our odor free bags and into 1 pack and set it far from the tents and just prayed. Luckily we had no issues but this will make my Mom, kids, and I feel so much better on our next backpacking trip!
Congrats on the play button, a tip to store the cord. When your headed back out, dump the rocks from the little bag and then feed the cord into the bag with the draw string pulled just tight enough to let the cord go in. Dont let the last part of the end go in the bag. It might take you a bit but when you go to get it out to hang again it will feed out like it is on a bobbin from the bag. I actually sewed up a bag myself with 2 comparents, one on either end of a small tube of fabric, it was just large enough to hold about 1 pound of rocks in each compartment, one side holds the cord while the other side can be stuffed with rocks. When I am out canoeing I use the same bag as a boat rope bag to be able to toss to another boat in trouble or use the cord to tie off when I take a break.
Love tip three for no good branches. Will also try the figure 8 wrap. I spent too much time untangling on my last trip.
Haven't tried it yet, but Bryan DeLay has a pretty cool 2CR method: uses two cords and an O ring (or carabiner).
Thanks for the comment Jim!
Every single time I google some info I'm looking for your videos pop right up.
Only just came across this video now, but i love the subtle flex. So deserved. I love all your videos!
Thank you. This was the first time I had seen the third method. F-ing genius! In Michigan it is hard to find that perfect tree. Glad to have you for a teacher!
Thank you for this video!! I will be using one of these techniques on my hike next week.
Hey Dixie,
Thanks for this video. It is on my favorites list. I just did my first multi-day backpacking trip and I felt totally confident about hanging my bear bag, even though I'd never done it.
My bag was hung (both nights) like a champion and I have you to thank. Can't wait to get out in the woods again!! Thank you for this and I can't wait for the next new video.
Best overview/demonstration I've seen on hanging bear bags. Thanks!
Ok, I will be using the PCT style from now on. Simple but effective, I love it, thanks.
Whenever I need some backpacking tips, you’re at the top of my list to gain the knowledge I’m seeking. Thank you for your wonderful channel! 👏🏻
Congrats Dixie! My wife and I just received the two t-shirts we bought from you yesterday. We love them! Don't be surprised if you come down into Montgomery seeing people wearing them. My entire office watches your videos ...keep at it!
One of the better videos on this topic. Thanks!
Great vid. It can take so long sometimes to find a good tree. The 2 tree method is a winner! Thanks.
4:00 On that PCT hang, if you don't collapse your loop down all the way before you put your stick or toggle in there, it forms a marlin spike hitch, which will be a little more stable.
I love just listening to you talk. I needed a Dixie fix today.
I'd suggest learning a couple of knots to help do these: the clove hitch (for tying to trees, and the stick in #2) and the Alpine Butterfly to make static loops (for the middle loop of method #3). The overhand loop you used (#3) can pull tight under a load and be hard/impossible to untie, the butterfly will come right out. The clove hitch is made for tying a line around a post/stick and it too will come out easily. There are tons of videos on how to tie both of them here on YT.
A Figure 8 on a bight is also an easy knot to tie and untie and quite effective.
The bowline is also very useful for loops on the ends of ropes. It's easy to undo.
The two knots that i use the most are probably the bowline and the clove hitch. As you mentioned, the clove hitch is much easier for removing the stick. For tieing cordage around a tree I use a knot that I believe is called a lumberjack hitch, real simple and real easy to untie. The last knot that I use is a slipknot of sorts that works great for tightening and loosening a line. Unfortunately, I can't remember what it is called. I noticed that Six Moons Design uses it on the main guyline of their Gatewood Cape tarp.
SO helpful. Thanks 🙏🏻
Any tips for bear line that gets tangled in branches as you throw? How to prevent that or save yourself agony of having to unwind it? Thanks again for a great video!
We don't even have bears here in Australia. But that is so cool. It will help to keep meat and stuff from wild dogs etc. The last 2 are for sure my favorite. Thanks...........Damon
I actually squealed when you pulled out your play button. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Nice video! That figure eight knot tip was a nice bonus!
Congratulations on your TH-cam subscribers award! 👏👏👏👏👏
Cool thanks! I haven't hiked in bear country and I always wondered how about the areas with trees and not many branches! Have a blessed Christmas and a great New year!
Appreciate the video. We had our first on trail bear encounter between Ensign Cowell and POGO during a recent AT SOBO section hike through Maryland.
Nice video. For the PCT method I prefer to use a PCT stick or Dog Bone. I always struggled with the knot on the stick.
Thank you for this tips, and for all your tips in general, I really appreciate the way you inform us, always very acurate 🙏🏻
Perfect, exactly what I was hoping to learn. Thanks for sharing.
That last method would have come in handy at least 3 time in this year of AT section hikes. It's a lot easier to find two trees close enough to string a bear line between than a tree with the perfect limb. I've become quite fond of night hiking and this is especially true when searching with a headlamp! I had a hell of a time at 10pm at the Fingerboard Shelter in NY this year and that shelter definitely has a problem bear!
Good stuff THANKS! Im growing inpatient for my thru-hike on AT March 25th 2019.
Jim Myrick lm waiting to start mine (2020) in April. I’m more impatient than any of my (4) last trimesters of pregnancy! It’s sooo hard to wait for something you’ve been preparing for, for years!!!!
Thanks for an informative video. Just hiked South Rim trail in Big Bend National Park in Texas. Trees are so short there that this wouldn't work. Luckily the trail camp sites came with bear boxes. If you ever wonder what SR camp site to pick, go for SR-3. The best camp sites with fantastic views.
Most of my backpacking is in Colorado, so number 3 is perfect since all of our trees have dinky branches. Makes finding the right (pair of) trees super easy! Most of the people I know have never heard of the double tree method.
Wow! Love the "PCT method"! Thanks for sharing.
Oooohhh that third one will be helpful. Thank you!
This is the BEST video I've seen!! Thank you!
Casual drop of the TH-cam silver play award! 😄😂🤣 Love it! True Dixie style!
I see you have a new TH-cam play button plaque congratulations on that young lady very subtle way of putting it into your video
This was so helpful thank you! I bought the bear bagging kit you suggested and am so glad you showed the 2nd and 3rd hanging methods here!
Thank you Dixie, you just made my afternoon better!
In Yosemite in 1977 we followed method 1. Mama bear and two cubs chased us out of camp. Mama cub one climb up to limb. Bounced it until the limb broke. Got back the next morning after being chased by mama and cubs all night. Bedded down and found out what it was like to get batted about by Mama bear. That’s another story. Thanks Dixie!
Dixie,
How long did it take to unwind the cord wrapped around the branch at 5:31? The way to prevent that from happening is to completely let go of the cord and just let it fly. If you hold on to the cord after you throw the weight it tends to wrap around the branch, if you release the cord , the weight will fall to the ground. I temporarily secure the loose of the cord to my bag on the ground to keep it from following the weighted end over the tree. Our club is doing bear bag hanging training/competition today at a local park. Happy hiking.
George, Appalachian Trail Club of Florida
The 100,000 Subscribers award was genius to throw in there, love that part! LOL Congrats!
A slight alternative to option 3 or PCT method is to do the PCT method on a high branch that juts out only a bit and then use the rope that hangs down to angle\pull to another tree pulling it away from the original tree a heap. You still have a rope that goes to another tree but means you can get a hang pretty much anywhere. Probably slightly easier and more flexible than option 3. I'll have to give option 3 a go where it's easier in future too. Once you get some experience with hanging it really doesn't take a lot of effort to get it right and saves worrying about bears and other things coming for your food at night.
This is exactly the instructional video I have been looking for, thank you! Question though, is it common for the rock sack to loop around the limb several times and get caught on the limb or for the line to get tangled in the tree? If so, do you have wisdom for taking care of this without climbing a tree, lol?
Thanks Dixie. The third technique is helpful.
Congrats on the award Dixie!
I learned a method from Yosemite hikers back in the hippie days: Divide food and cooking/garbage into two equal weight bags, pull first bag all the way up, reach up as high as you can to attach second bag, wrap up extra cord next to second bag with a loop hanging out, use your hiking stick or pole to push second bag up which lets first bag come down so they are both on the same level above where a bear can reach. Use the same pole to grab the loop to retrieve in the morning. The good thing about this method is you are not leaving anything in reach of the bear for them to mess with.
Glad to know the third option of hanging a bear bag. Thanks!
Great tips for a newbie. Thank you for the information. Been wondering the details of this technique for years.
Great Job. Glad you did all 3 for comparison.
Great video Dixie! Your Ebook is excellent too. Everyone should get a copy!
Couple thoughts:
1. There are lines out there that are lightweight and small, like the zpack dynema stuff. They are good options for weight conscious hikers but may be spendy. Arborist lines work but can stretch so look for the ones that don't.
2. Be very careful of the line you use. Any line you use, can and will snag at Murphy's discretion. So, find line that does not snag or cut into the tree when pulling up the weight. I can't count the number of lines I've seen left in trees due to being snagged. Test your line before you go.
3. A good option is to hang a biner from a tree branch using one line and have it act as the friction point for your actual food line. All it costs is a little extra line but it makes raising the food much easier and is way less likely to snag. To do this, throw a line over a branch. Tie/hook a biner to the end and run your actual food line through the biner and hoist it up. Now tie/hook your food bag to the line you pulled up with the biner and hoist it up.
Bags:
A dry bag is a good option. If you keep a trash bag in it, you can keep your trash in the bottom, then just add your food on top when you hang the bag. Since you need to hang both its a natural option.
I didn't think a bear bag was necessary until one night on the Pinhoti trail between Porters Gap and Adams Gap trail head I had a bear come down the mountain towards my camp at night while I was having coffee and eating a beef stick. Thankfully when I turned and shined my headlamp on him or her it ran away. A little bit exhilarating!!!! I will use a bear hang from now on. Thanks for the video Dixie!!
Congratulations on your award, well deserved!
Many would also tie a clove hitch on the stick when using the PCT method. I like the third idea and definitely useful. During my AT thru this year I came up with a fourth method. Also congrats on the TH-cam play button!
Thanks! I love how much detail and time you put into each video. Congrats on building your channel
That is sooo hilarious the way you presented your award -that’s what you call being resourceful! Congrats! ...😉👍🏆
Hey HW great video w excellent instructions! Happy trails gal!
Freaking hanging the award....this is TH-cam brilliance. Bravo.
Thank you. I like the figure-8 trick to keep the rope from getting tangled.
My sister, hiking partner, uses reflective line which helps a lot in early morning.
Excellent educational video. Your technical background shines through. Thank you.
I have a Granite Gear old stuff sack POP zipper bag. Stores my strong cord from A16 and the mini biner. Just over 2 oz.
Im starting thru-hiking the AT thanks to you dixxie!! 💚 had the pct on mind but the rattlesnakes creep me out haha thanks again for your super usefull advice!
I believe they have rattle snakes on the AT as well. Sorry.
I use a trekking pole to push a heavy bag up high since pulling on the cord/line can be difficult. The pointy end of the pole can usually stick part-way through the carabiner to help with this.
Very educational. I learned a lot after watching this video and practicing. Peace.
Please do a video on foot care, specifically what you do after your toe goes black or nail starts to separate. What has been your recovery process??
Thank you. I knew about the first method but not the 2nd and 3rd.
This will help our scout troop. Thank you!
Excellent instructional video
What knot do you to tie to the carabiner? Great video!!
Excellent! I get it now! Very clear instructions. Thanks!
For method 3, use a clove hitch (or, if you want to show off, an alpine butterfly loop) to attach your carabiner to the center of the rope. They are easier to untie than an overhand knot after being loaded, especially on smaller diameter cordage like para cord. Also, if you can, tie off the end of the rope to a different tree.