Funny thing is, he is actually the neighbor's cat. He has pretty much become our cat though, as he is constantly around. I think he like the attention and food we provide. In fact, I'm not even sure he ever goes to his actual house. My cat and him are pals and are always wrestling and stuff. Super cool cat though... if only he would stop brining the birds and moles into the house.
Thanks for the video. I'm taking a friend backpacking and was looking for a simple easy to understand way to show him how I hang my bear bag. The only thing that i would add is I tie a piece of blaze orange survey tape to the bottom of my bag. You would think they are easy to find but if you have to hang one in the dark it helps you find it in the morning.
Just learning about the PCT method for the first time here. Have watched half-a-dozen vids on it (showing slightly different methods), and this is the best of them all. Great job, and thanks!
THANKS! i have watched other vids on this but found yours to be the most helpful. I also have found several of your other vids very helpful and enjoyable to watch as well thanks for all the great vids
I do not learn too well without a teacher in person but boy howdy I have been able to successfully follow these step to recreate my own bear bag. Thank you for your content, dude. I'm taking this knowledge camping this Sunday, and you'll be with me in spirit ✊🏼😎
this is a great technique. I always wondered how hanging your food bag and tieing it to a tree would stop a bear from just breaking the line, this solves that problem. Alot of videos on youtube of people miss hanging there bags, its like if your not gonna do it right why do it at all? even a fairly big youtuber was doin it wrong which led me to further look into how to properly hang a bag. Thank you for this educational video.
thanks bro, I just came from a 3 day backpacking in Mt. San Gorgonio and I never thought of this method on hanging food, I did a traditional...this one makes a lot of sense. thanks for sharing.
Very very clever way to prevent your food being eaten by bears. Here in Holland we don't have bears in the wild so I don't have to use this, but I like you're videos, they are very interesting and inspiring to. This summer I will tour with my bicycle so all the advice about light weight travelling and camping is very handy. Thanx! :)
Thank you very much for sharing this. I have been quite stressed about what to do with my food on a backpacking trip since I don't want to chance storing it with me in the tent and attracting a bear and I also don't want to buy a bear canister since it is so bulky.
One other method is to sleep with your food. I did this for around 90% of the AT, only hanging when I knew an area had problem bears or if it was required. I won't make any claims, but I think that the bears avoided my scent and human presence (noises/tents). I also think that a balance is required. If everyone slept with their food, stressed bears may begin entering tents. If everyone hung, bears may take more poorly hung food bags. Keep in mind, all of my experience is only with black bears.
I slept with my food in my sleeping bag section hiking/working on the PCT for decades. One of the big problems with that approach is when you want to go hang out with other folks 50 yards away and talk, or you have to go off to dig a cat hole, or something else takes you from your tent for a more than 10 minutes.
The higher you can get it while still keeping it a good distance from the limb the better. In fact I would shoot more for 10 feet. When bears stand on their hind legs, they can reach a surprising height. Though black bears are small, 6 feet could be easily reached by many of them.
thanks for these videos outdoor ed class (im a student) is going on a 4 day canoe trip and I was just onedering would we have to hang MREs if I brought them
Can you go over how you do the two loops around the stick? I looked up tying a clove hitch and all the videos use an "end" of the rope where you use just the middle. I can't figure out how to get the rope to stay tightly around the stick so it doesn't spin off.
Hi Joe, My buddy threw a rock up to go over a branch for his food bag. It somehow landed and wedged at a "Y" on the branch. I laughed. Then he tugged sharply down and the rock shot straight down hitting him on the head. Ya, that actually happened. And yes, I continued laughing. So any time he gives me a hard time about some trivial thing, I remind him of that rock on Lava Mtn., Helena, MT., CDT on a motorcycle, 2008.
The method also has the advantage that you don't have to tie off the twig over your head. Just locate the tie-off point; pull the line down to a comfortable height and make your loop.
In my experience: 1.) bears adapt, 2.) bears aren't out to get your food unless they are not getting enough by their normal means or you food is very accessible. 3.) bears avoid humans. Bears are very smart, if they are hungry and see your food bag away from humans, in an easy to access position, they may just go for it. This is why it is very important to hang your food properly. If food bags are often tied to a tree trunk or hung lazily bears will adapt to this easy food source and rely on it.
My problem with this method is one of leverage. It is one thing to pull up a fairly light bag but try pulling three bags with three or four days worth of food straight up like that. Even hanging between trees it can be rough to haul bags up but to pull it straight up is very hard. I have seen people use a stick to help push it up but still that can be a pain to find sticks long enough in some places.
It depends what you prefer. A thicker rope will be easier to handle but heavier. A thinner rope will save weight but be tougher to raise a bag with. I recommend a rope with low stretch like amsteel or dynaglide. Dynaglide is my preference. It is lightweight, doesn't stretch, and is good at avoiding snags.
Hello,I am hiking the colorado trail in 6 weeks and there are no trees tall enough to do this.Any ideas on food storage? I'm thinking keeping it in the tent with me and have mace at the ready.
+oystersfearme I just slept with my food all the way through Colorado on the CDT. You are normally not in direct bear territory, and they often don't want anything to do with you.
I've seen a few of your videos and I think your cat is always around because you leave for long periods of time. Its like he hangs out because he never knows when you'll leave. My cat is the same way with my dad. Its kind of sad but also cute.
I need a cat also, haha?? I pack a short piece of dowel.....that's how I learned it in the boy scouts. We also did a hang with two ropes that works similar. I also learned a three rope method.....which the bear figured out in the Boundary Waters.....he was pretty smart, we think to this day he had seen it before and knew which ropes to cut to get at the food bag.
+ChiBurbs Adventures Most times (99% of the time), I carry my food in a dry bag or just a lightweight silnylon food bag. When it is required, I'll use a bear canister.
+Shane Levine I slept with it except for the brief time through the Sierra where you are required to use a bear canister. Then I'd place the canister away from my campsite somewhere.
Funny thing is, he is actually the neighbor's cat. He has pretty much become our cat though, as he is constantly around. I think he like the attention and food we provide. In fact, I'm not even sure he ever goes to his actual house. My cat and him are pals and are always wrestling and stuff. Super cool cat though... if only he would stop brining the birds and moles into the house.
They do that to contribute to the family food supply.... 🙂
Best hang video hands down!
Thanks for the video. I'm taking a friend backpacking and was looking for a simple easy to understand way to show him how I hang my bear bag. The only thing that i would add is I tie a piece of blaze orange survey tape to the bottom of my bag. You would think they are easy to find but if you have to hang one in the dark it helps you find it in the morning.
I like your practical videos. You always have great tips. And it's cool that your cat is always in your videos!
Awesome video!!! I was totally in suspense about why you would need the stick. But it makes great sense now! You are an excellent teacher :)
Just learning about the PCT method for the first time here. Have watched half-a-dozen vids on it (showing slightly different methods), and this is the best of them all. Great job, and thanks!
THANKS! i have watched other vids on this but found yours to be the most helpful. I also have found several of your other vids very helpful and enjoyable to watch as well thanks for all the great vids
By far the best tutorial on hanging a bear bag. Thanks Joe!
2:47. The Lark's Head knot, didn't know that one. Simple and perfect application. I really appreciate learning that. Thanks!
That was the easiest demonstration of a clove hitch knot I’ve ever seen. I know how to do it with confidence now. Thank you !!
Love the video!!! My kids learned how to do their bear bag from you!!! Thanks so much for posting! :)
Awesome! Thanks.
I do not learn too well without a teacher in person but boy howdy I have been able to successfully follow these step to recreate my own bear bag. Thank you for your content, dude. I'm taking this knowledge camping this Sunday, and you'll be with me in spirit ✊🏼😎
Best video I've seen detailing the pct method. Thanks!
Best how to video on this topic I've found. Clearly explained and demonstrated. Thanks!
Excellent Job! A great example of how to do an instructional video.
this is a great technique. I always wondered how hanging your food bag and tieing it to a tree would stop a bear from just breaking the line, this solves that problem. Alot of videos on youtube of people miss hanging there bags, its like if your not gonna do it right why do it at all? even a fairly big youtuber was doin it wrong which led me to further look into how to properly hang a bag. Thank you for this educational video.
Thank you so much for your concise and well-delivered video!
I appreciate the video - very clear instructions, and also - why you're doing what you're doing. You explain it all very well. Thanks.
Thanks brother. Brilliant and simple way to hang your food bag.
thanks bro, I just came from a 3 day backpacking in Mt. San Gorgonio and I never thought of this method on hanging food, I did a traditional...this one makes a lot of sense. thanks for sharing.
Great video, thanks for not over complicating it!
7/64 amsteel. It is overkill for bear bagging, but was the only rope I had around.
Your videos are really helpful! I'm new to backpacking and personally I get something out of every one of your videos, thanks!
Just went out and practiced my bear hang today again using this video!
Thanks for making this video! Very clear and easy to understand :)
Very very clever way to prevent your food being eaten by bears. Here in Holland we don't have bears in the wild so I don't have to use this, but I like you're videos, they are very interesting and inspiring to. This summer I will tour with my bicycle so all the advice about light weight travelling and camping is very handy. Thanx! :)
Thank you!! Great job, very clear visual and descriptions. Super simple! Love it!
Im a huge fan of your videos man. I really appreciate your teachings.
Wish I would've watched this before hanging my food bag incorrectly on my last trip! Thanks for this video :)
what you actually need is an orange striped cat. thanks for the video Joe. Always a pleasure sir.
Great explanation. Nice and simple.
Thanks! This video is perfect and straight to the point.
Simple. Thanks. I've got a cuben fiber bear bag from Dutch.
Thank you very much for sharing this. I have been quite stressed about what to do with my food on a backpacking trip since I don't want to chance storing it with me in the tent and attracting a bear and I also don't want to buy a bear canister since it is so bulky.
I will be taking this new knowledge on the AT thru hike I'm planning. Thanks for all the useful info!!
How did your AT hike go.
Great video, thank you. Very simple and clear instructions. Much appreciated!
Great video and tutorial! Very simple and clear explanation. Thanks!
Excellent! Thank you.
Wow! Did you see that? A small bear tried to get in that bag immediately, but couldn't. They really do work 🤠⛺👍
Excellent tutorial. Thank-you...
One other method is to sleep with your food. I did this for around 90% of the AT, only hanging when I knew an area had problem bears or if it was required. I won't make any claims, but I think that the bears avoided my scent and human presence (noises/tents). I also think that a balance is required. If everyone slept with their food, stressed bears may begin entering tents. If everyone hung, bears may take more poorly hung food bags. Keep in mind, all of my experience is only with black bears.
I slept with my food in my sleeping bag section hiking/working on the PCT for decades.
One of the big problems with that approach is when you want to go hang out with other folks 50 yards away and talk, or you have to go off to dig a cat hole, or something else takes you from your tent for a more than 10 minutes.
3,500th 'scriber here ! Good video. Sorry for the dumb question, but the rope is a regular paracord ?
Nice! Nope, it's 7/64th amsteel line. Very strong for its weight.
Great video my friend. Very well done. I have never seen that method before. Be blessed. John
Man....SO clever. Appreciated the info!
Hoping to. Not certain yet though.
The higher you can get it while still keeping it a good distance from the limb the better. In fact I would shoot more for 10 feet. When bears stand on their hind legs, they can reach a surprising height. Though black bears are small, 6 feet could be easily reached by many of them.
Thanks great tip!
WHY is it call PCT? I did not hear you suggest that we should hang our food away from you camping site?!
Very illustrative! Hope it will work with my trip :)
Excellent demonstration thank you! Keep up the good work and keep the videos coming.
thanks for these videos outdoor ed class (im a student) is going on a 4 day canoe trip and I was just onedering would we have to hang MREs if I brought them
Great method - I haven't seen that before. Thanks!
Can you go over how you do the two loops around the stick? I looked up tying a clove hitch and all the videos use an "end" of the rope where you use just the middle. I can't figure out how to get the rope to stay tightly around the stick so it doesn't spin off.
What do you do without trees with horizontal branches. Subalpine fir can be problematic
CDAFishboy from what I've seen, they suspend them between two trees. th-cam.com/video/xH7pnP3MbJA/w-d-xo.html
Hi Joe, My buddy threw a rock up to go over a branch for his food bag. It somehow landed and wedged at a "Y" on the branch. I laughed. Then he tugged sharply down and the rock shot straight down hitting him on the head. Ya, that actually happened. And yes, I continued laughing. So any time he gives me a hard time about some trivial thing, I remind him of that rock on Lava Mtn., Helena, MT., CDT on a motorcycle, 2008.
Thanks for posting!
2:14 LOL
Very useful info. I'll use this next trip out
Really dig this method! Thanks.
Very cool! Is that a dry sack? The lark's head knot for the throw weight was pretty ingenious. Definitely using it.
Yup. Sea to summit silnylon one.
Besides when there are bear resistant boxes available when is it not wise(necessary) to hang your food?
Do you have any more videos of this orange cat please
The method also has the advantage that you don't have to tie off the twig over your head. Just locate the tie-off point; pull the line down to a comfortable height and make your loop.
awes that kitty :3
Love the cat just chillin haha
clove hitch, eh. So I have to learn another knot. I already know and use a marlin spike hitch... any reason that won't work?
Thanks for the vid. Just wondering is it cat proof ?
I was thinking the same thing.
In my experience: 1.) bears adapt, 2.) bears aren't out to get your food unless they are not getting enough by their normal means or you food is very accessible. 3.) bears avoid humans. Bears are very smart, if they are hungry and see your food bag away from humans, in an easy to access position, they may just go for it. This is why it is very important to hang your food properly. If food bags are often tied to a tree trunk or hung lazily bears will adapt to this easy food source and rely on it.
Where do I find small Tyvek bags
Good deal. Works like a charm.
Only black bears along the AT. Grizzlies are a whole different beast. I too would hang my food around grizzlies.
Great video - thank you for posting.
Love your cat. :)
That is very cool! I will definitely be using this method! Question: what did you do in CA when you didn't have any trees?
I normally slept with my food in California but used a bear canister (as was required) in places where there have been problem bears.
Joe Brewer Shouldn't you leave the bear canister somewhere away from camp? The canister doesn't completely seal the odours.
+Tyler Socholotuik yeah, that's the best plan of action.
Dope! Awesome video dude
My problem with this method is one of leverage. It is one thing to pull up a fairly light bag but try pulling three bags with three or four days worth of food straight up like that. Even hanging between trees it can be rough to haul bags up but to pull it straight up is very hard. I have seen people use a stick to help push it up but still that can be a pain to find sticks long enough in some places.
+Backcountry Banter
What would be the best rope diameter to use?
It depends what you prefer. A thicker rope will be easier to handle but heavier. A thinner rope will save weight but be tougher to raise a bag with. I recommend a rope with low stretch like amsteel or dynaglide. Dynaglide is my preference. It is lightweight, doesn't stretch, and is good at avoiding snags.
Are you currently using this method - since you sent home your bear canister?
THANK YOU!!! This was great.
Yeah, sorry. Been up in Maine working with no electricity. I'm back now though and there will soon be more videos.
Great tip, thanks for sharing!
this is great! thanks!
Hello,I am hiking the colorado trail in 6 weeks and there are no trees tall enough to do this.Any ideas on food storage? I'm thinking keeping it in the tent with me and have mace at the ready.
+oystersfearme I just slept with my food all the way through Colorado on the CDT. You are normally not in direct bear territory, and they often don't want anything to do with you.
+Joe Brewer Thank you.
just use a bear cannister
I've seen a few of your videos and I think your cat is always around because you leave for long periods of time. Its like he hangs out because he never knows when you'll leave. My cat is the same way with my dad. Its kind of sad but also cute.
awesome job on this
Wow nice. Sent here by Darwin 👍
Awesome video bro! Thank you for this
I need a cat also, haha?? I pack a short piece of dowel.....that's how I learned it in the boy scouts. We also did a hang with two ropes that works similar. I also learned a three rope method.....which the bear figured out in the Boundary Waters.....he was pretty smart, we think to this day he had seen it before and knew which ropes to cut to get at the food bag.
Awesome job dude
So do you just use a dry bag instead of a bear barrel or a specifically made bear bag?
+ChiBurbs Adventures Most times (99% of the time), I carry my food in a dry bag or just a lightweight silnylon food bag. When it is required, I'll use a bear canister.
Any opinion on the ursack?
Top 10 Backpacking Plays of 2017
Hey man, hope your doing well. Haven't seen any vids from you lately
Could u use a taut line hitch!!! Instead of a clove hitch????
I don't think that would work too well in this application. It may hold ok, but I think a clove hitch is easier and faster.
What did you use as a food bag?
Best video! Thank's
Thanks, Extremely useful!
Did you typically hang your food or sleep with it in your tent on the PCT?
+Shane Levine I slept with it except for the brief time through the Sierra where you are required to use a bear canister. Then I'd place the canister away from my campsite somewhere.
bear! oh... cat
hey bro, are you attempting the PCT next year?
I plan on thru hiking the AT next year and I was wondering do you have to hang your food every night?
You don't have to, except in certain locations. Most people just hang it up in the shelters.
whats the dead cat for?
What's your opinion on BearVaults?