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Shack
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 29, 2005 - 07:18pm PT
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Found these online. Supposed to be comming out soon.
Seems like a possible bear box replacement.
http://www.ursack.com/home.htm
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davidji
Social climber
CA
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Jun 29, 2005 - 09:04pm PT
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I've seen bear bags (Ursack I think) at the gear shop a couple of years ago. Trouble is it wasn't approved by YNP. So if they required a bear can, at the time, I think that meant a Garcia.
A year or so ago, they approved another can, bigger & lighter than Garcia. Are they gonna approve an Ursack? Who knows? I think the problem with them was even if the bear couldn't open the bag, they could squeeze the "juice" outta the food, and still enjoy it.
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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Jun 29, 2005 - 09:11pm PT
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The Ursack does not work. The bear can't get to your food, but your chow will be smashed and covered with bear saliva. Ewwww.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jun 29, 2005 - 09:23pm PT
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They don't seem to have any problem geting thru these. It only slows them down for a few minutes. Princessropegun and Elmer's ended up a shredded mess.
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Spinmaster K-Rove
Trad climber
Stuck Under the Kor Roof
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Jun 29, 2005 - 09:43pm PT
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I think we just need bear rifles. They will probably prevent candybar and butter stick mutilation more aptly than these 'boxes.'
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jun 29, 2005 - 10:55pm PT
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Ultra light titanium in 44 Mag!
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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Jun 30, 2005 - 12:18am PT
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I'm no big-wall climber... but... those bags seem a bit small.
I imagine that draging ten little bags as opposed to one FISH PROD DELUXE HAUL BAG.
Sorry man, pull it up quicker.
Jingy
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August West
Trad climber
Where the wind blows strange
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I bought one of the ursa sacks to leave lunch in at the base of routes as protection against squirrels. Even if they aren't bear proof, I've always wondered why rodent-proof bags weren't marketed more to the backpacking crowd. I've hung a pack in a tree and still had it destroyed by a rodent.
I'll be happy to see the ursa sack come back, even if YNP doesn't approve it.
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Fingerlocks
Trad climber
where the climbin's good
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Yes, squirrel protection! Don't knock it, those critters are aggressive. And do you really want to waste your bullets on those fat fur balls?
And speaking of squirrels: since I haven't been over to Camp 4 much, are people still doing the squirrel catapults? You can have twice as much fun with half the beer that way.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Aug 13, 2013 - 12:02am PT
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Anyone with updated info on using Ursack including the aluminum liner?
Not sure if it meets requirements for YNP but supposedly other areas it's approved.
We'll probably carry both the Ursack and a standard canister but if anyone has any updated info would love to hear it.
Susan
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 13, 2013 - 12:17am PT
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Susan, you silly, like the Park or Forest Service is going to make things
easier on us poor tax payers? My mission in life is convincing my wife
that we only need one bear box for our upcoming Great Sierra Death March.
I mean, if asked, the question is "do you have a bear box, right?
"Why, yes, yer honour, we do have a bear box. Nobody asked us if we
could fit all our food in the one."
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Aug 13, 2013 - 12:23am PT
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I've had a couple of Ursacks for a decade, and never had a problem with them (I am currently a volunteer wilderness ranger, on the Sierra NF).
There is a large institutional bias against them, by both the USFS, but especially by the Parks.
To the point of exaggeration of outcomes.
I've personally never had a problem, but I'm not convinced that any bears were around the several hundred camps where I used them in the backcountry.
There is confusion about another sack marketed by Ursack, that is designed ONLY for rodents. People misuse them for bears, and they fail quickly.
I would *NOT* use them in Yos, or other places where there are tame bears.
What I consider insane is the allowing of counterbalancing, which has clearly been shown to regularly fail.
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granite_girl
Trad climber
Oakland
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Aug 13, 2013 - 01:20am PT
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I use one and it works fine. Of course, my camps tend to be away from the crowds and usually above treeline, so I doubt my Ursack has ever actually encountered a bear. If that's your style, then go for it and save that weight. I don't usually bother with the aluminum liner, because I'm seldom more than a day away from civilization, and I'm okay with crushed food for that long. And anyway, it defeats the main purpose, which is weight savings and fitting into your pack.
By some saving grace, I bought mine the one year they were actually legal in YNP and SEKI. So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Aug 16, 2013 - 01:46pm PT
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Our Opsaks (über high tech zip locks) and Ursack have arrived. The fabric is very interesting. Reminds me a lot of some of our sails that are made of Vectran but this is heavily woven.
I'm excited to try them out, hoping they won't be put to the test and if it is, it works!
I love the instructions about tying a knot a bear can't untie. I'll check my knot guide for that.
I found bears to be rather tenacious....
Susan
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Roxy
Trad climber
CA Central Coast
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Aug 16, 2013 - 02:12pm PT
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The Ursack bags look interesting...some statements on the website even more so:
Since bears can't climb rocks, this should be very effective.
Otherwise, tie URSACK to any object that is too heavy for a bear to drag away.
cf. http://www.ursack.com/proper-hang.htm
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Roots
Mountain climber
SoCal
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Aug 16, 2013 - 02:22pm PT
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I bought one of the originals way back when they first came out. Have used it everywhere they are accepted (which changes over the years). Mine has not been "beared" yet but have used it successfully against rodents a few times.
For the dude that mentioned your food would get smashed - who cares. You'll be far from drive thru and when you're hungry would it actually matter?
As far as anchoring it - usually I have tied it to a tree; live or fallen. Have used it for counter balance method too and sometimes to subsidize space when carried with my solo cannister.
Hope you enjoy yours.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Aug 16, 2013 - 02:26pm PT
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your food would get smashed
My understanding is that is what the aluminum liner prevents. Of course it's optional to take if you want to save even more weight.
Susan
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Aug 16, 2013 - 02:59pm PT
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I just sleep with my food. Problem solved.....
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Aug 16, 2013 - 05:15pm PT
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Sage advice...we are actually taking both....we are law abiding citizens after all in case we end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or if it gets bear tested and the bag fails. It'll probably be me carrying the hard sided cache.
Meebbe I'll take the junior sized one!
Foodsaver ....the downside for me is the single use bagging. Our primary use for the Foodsaver is to store parts and tools on our boat where a marine environment is hostile, or if on a lengthy kayak or dinghy trip.
I've only encountered bears a few times on trips where they really wanted a piece of what we had instead of just "strolling by". I don't expect differently on this. We shall see....
Hi bear....
Susan
Edit....that electric packing fence....interesting!
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