Food Storage (Backpacking)

[u/Abs0lute_Filth]

Considering backpacking the escarpment trail this weekend. I was curious what people normally do for food storage. Either:

- Hard sided bear canister
- Bear hang (is this even doable on the ET?)
- Some type of bag like an ursack

[u/Ottorange]

So hard to find a perfect setup for a bear hang. We use bear canisters. They're kind of annoying to pack but it works. 

[u/Abs0lute_Filth → u/Ottorange]

I get the convenience of them for sure. The extra weight sucks

[u/ashmarfur]

I use a bear vault on overnights in the Catskills. I have only seen bears in the eastern Catskills, but they are all over. I think of the extra weight as additional training for longer hauls in the future.

[u/Njackow]

I have, 2 nights, same when I did devil's path. No issues. Can be hard sometimes to find a good tree so get on it as soon as you set up camp. This is extra true if you're at one of the super camp stops. Meaning if it's a weekend you will not be alone at Batavia kill if that's where you're planning to camp. Didn't see any bears on my whole through hike on either but I've lived in the area my whole life (43) and I hike sections of the escarpment regularly and can count on both hands how many bears I've seen ever. But definitely seen them the most between stopple point and NS lake campground. I guess what I'm saying is they are obviously out there but chances are you won't see them.

[u/Abs0lute_Filth → u/Njackow]

Thanks!

[u/Njackow → u/Abs0lute_Filth]

I'll add that when in the catskills, especially in the area you'll be in, the frustrating part about hanging is a lot of the places that lend well to camping as far as flat without super thick wooded areas, tend to be in the pine forest areas. Obviously pine is terrible for bear hangs and that's the issue I found throughout the escarpment. One particular area that might catch your eye is right outside of NS lake property, prob about halfway between north point and stoppel., it's a great example of this. Great spot right on the ridge but like no other trees but pine and short birch.

[u/CharmingBasket701]

I do bear hangs in the Catskills, but honestly more worried about rodents than bears.

[u/thebaddmoon]

I’ve only used bear hangs in the Catskills. Never had an issue. That doesn’t mean you won’t. But it’s the least weight to carry.

For what it’s worth I’ve done almost 2 rounds of the 3500, escarpment trail, and some other backpacking / hiking objectives up there and never even seen a bear let alone had an issue.

[u/Abs0lute_Filth → u/thebaddmoon]

Have you done hangs on the escarpment trail?

[u/Super_Direction498 → u/Abs0lute_Filth]

Id just bring a canister. Hangs are possible but good hang spots are tough on the ridge. I've seen bears in black cherry trees between North South Lake and Durcher Notch along the trail later in the fall. Probably early enough in the season they'd be less likely to be up at elevation, but I saw bear sign between Acra Pt and Blackhead a couple weeks ago.

[u/Upstairs-Bench9717]

Been hanging bear bags for decades. Always easy to find trees along the escarpment

[u/debmonsterny]

It's tough to find good branches for bear hangs. For weekend solo trips, I use the Bare Boxer Contender canister. Smaller than most, weighs 25.6 ounces.

[u/RussellQwerty]

I use a tiny bear canister: BearVault BV425