High Sierra Topix

The other advantage a regular bear can (Garcia, Bearikade, Bearvault) has going for it is there aren't any strings on them. If a bear does get to your Ursack, there's a really good chance the bear will run off with it easily.

Also, if you use the search feature after you login here (upper right) and type in ursack, you will see something like this:

search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&keywords=ursack

Yes, we've talked about it here extensively.

Your question has been a regular topic for years on backpacking boards and a major sermon element at ranger stations for those requesting wilderness permits even where they have not been required so am surprised you don't seem to be familiar with the issues?

As noted the most reliable, most secure, least stressful strategy is to carry one of the canisters. I'm an old timer too who has gone decades without bears ever getting into my food despite enduring many nights when they visited including back in my counter balancing days. But that is not to say some of those nights a bear might have carried off our food if we had not scared them off. Or that we got much sleep haha.

I own 2 Garcias and an Ursack. And I am a fan of the latter for limited usage. When required I do carry a canister even when I'd rather not as I did last year going over Kearsarge Pass. But am at odds with the SIBBG Ursack decisions and weak arguments. Those using an Ursack where legal can potentially keep food from bears if they use it wisely. Likewise bears sometimes get into food with those who only use canisters because backpackers can be lazy regarding keeping all their food inside them or even securing the lid since it doesn't have an LED on top telling people at night when it is locked or not. All these food protection methods require vigilence and thoughtful processes. Unfortunately there are and will always will be careless visitors in the backcountry and that is why canisters are being pressured for everyone's use by those making policy. Thus their strategy is to prevent the lowest common denominator among us (yes that means you Homer...DUhhh) from screwing up. Unfortunately authorities have never really got all thru hikers (am not one of them) on board for obvious reasons like a single canister barely fits a week's worth of reasonable food, and worse they removed bear boxes along many thru trails which was a whole other can of worms thru hikers can only blame themselves for.

Amen

Of course we take one in Yosemite and SEKI...but we now carry one every time in the Sierra. They may weigh more, but they make life simpler for us. And for the bears.

balzaccom wrote:Amen

Of course we take one in Yosemite and SEKI...but we now carry one every time in the Sierra. They may weigh more, but they make life simpler for us. And for the bears.

This. I even carry one in the San Gabriels. I lost a loaned pack to a bear a few years ago down here.

Pretty heavy debate over Ursack approval on the HST Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021041900/

Respectfully, a lot of selfish, entitled, and ignorant people are advocating making the ursack legal to use in our Sierra by signing a petition.
Sad because the sack does not/ never worked effectively against bears ...it invites bears into camp.
Many there on FB carp about the bearcan's weight as being too heavy. If weight is that big an issue - stay home.
I detest that some feel their personal enjoyment is more important than the bear's wellbeing.
IMHO, the petition sucks.
just my 2¢

A person from Alaska started a Change.org petition asking Yosemite and SeKi rangers to consider approval of the Ursack S29:

Approve Ursack 2014 S29 for use in your parks

I used an Ursack S29 with aluminum liner last year (2014) in Sequoia N.P, and based on the IGBC testing, feel that it will protect my food in every situation. I added a bell to the tie off so any marauding critter would awaken me, and made sure I learned the proper method to tie the knots correctly.

Here's a picture from the grizzly bear test of the Ursack S29. Pretty sure this one is using the aluminum liner.

That picture looks like an all night chew toy until it breaks the rope.

Bears don't even look at my can anymore (Bearikade).

When the NPS netted Upper Mattie in 2008ish two weeks before I got there, they left two Garcia cans and a gallon of white gas. None were touched even though there were obvious, fresh bear tracks on the beach.

Good luck with your endeavor.

Steve_C wrote:... based on the IGBC testing, feel that it will protect my food in every situation.

Steve, with all due respect sir, you are wrong, come off as somewhat entitled, and for some selfish reason, are putting your "comfort" ahead of the bear's livelihood. Why? Your argument shows that either you are not bear savvy or do not care about other hiker's safety. After a bear learns that it can easily carry a sack away, or gnaw through the tied sack and get a reward, it will return again...inviting future human confrontations.

As much as you wish that your ursack was 100% effective, it doesn't work on a determined bear...little bell notwithstanding.

ERIC wrote:Pretty heavy debate over Ursack approval on the HST Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021041900/

Umm. ok.. I've a question. Is this the forum or is FB the forum? I think this IS the forum.

Russ