[Philmont] Number of Bear Bags for Philmont

Dan: Bear bags and ropes are issued at Philmont. Some like to use their
own, or add. But Philmont will issue to your crew as many as you ask for.
The bags are like large feed bags, guessing they measure approx 2 ft by 4
ft. Typically a crew of 12 would need 3 or 4, or maybe 5 (or 6 ?). Yes,
all are tied, with larks head, to the knotted center point of a single
quarter-inch 100-foot long rope (it's not parachute cord). When doubled, as
it will be, it is then 50-feet long. After hoisting, you tie each of the
two rope ends to two separate tree trunks. You should attach a carabiner to
the center knot where you will place a 2nd rope for hoisting an "oops bag"
to conveniently hang small items later. All camps have bear cables affixed
between trees, eliminating the need to use tree branches - except in the
Valle Vidal area to the north. Your Ranger will teach your Crew Leader and
Crew how to do all this. In the Valle, you will be taught to use two ropes
over two separate trees - I think this is like the reference you gave. But
your Ranger will caution you not to throw the rope with a rock - a big
safety no-no. Usually this isn't necessary, and the weight of the rope
itself will usually do. Hope this helps. I'm sure you'll get lots of other
responses on this. Julian Love, Charlotte, NC

From: Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:Philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Daniel
Smart
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 10:29 AM
To: Philmont List Member
Cc: mycales@tx.rr.com
Subject: [Philmont] Number of Bear Bags for Philmont

Shane:
I'm new to the list, so howdy, and have a 2008 expedition scheduled.

I see that you had custom bear bags made. Bar napkin calculations show them
to be about 80 liters each. How many of these bags do you need for a worse
case load at philmont?
Do you put all bags on one line? Do you use para cord, and if so, do you
use it doubled?

We are teaching our scouts the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) method of bear bag
hanging. Has anyone tried this at Philmont?

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bear_bag_hanging_te
chnique.html

-- 
-=Dan=-
Dan Smart
Crew Advisor
Venturing Crew 538
Birmingham, AL
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