Creating a Bear Hang with a Simple Pulley

When hiking and camping in the backcountry, care must be taken to bear-proof your camp. The goal of bear-proofing your site is to keep odors that might attract bears to a minimum and to safely store your food and garbage out of the reach of bears and away from your sleeping area. For anyone who loves to spend time in the great outdoors, creating a bear hang is an essential skill to learn. Bear hanging is the practice of suspending food and other scented items in a tree or other elevated location to keep them away from bears and other wildlife. This technique is crucial for anyone who wants to ensure their safety and protect the wildlife in the area.

If there is not a bear hang already installed at your site, creating your own is a simple task that only requires a couple of carabiners, two cords, and a food bag. For a basic camp setup, it is best to have the sleeping area upwind of the kitchen and the food storage area and each at least 300 feet (~100 meters) apart. You can then use a variation of the Marrison Haul System to get your food bag off of the ground.

1. Find a tree with a good strong live branch. The branch should be at least 15 feet (5 meters) from the ground. The point at which you will toss the rope over the branch should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the trunk of the tree.
2. Throw the rope over the branch. Test the branch to make sure it is strong enough to hold the weight (don’t be standing directly underneath when you test). Tie your knot about 6 feet (2 meters) from the ground and clip a carabiner into the bight.
3. Feed the running end of the cord through the carabiner tied to your food storage bag and then through the carabiner hanging from the branch.
4. Pull the end of the cord to move the carabiner as close to the tree branch as possible. Tie off to the tree.
5. Haul the bag as high up as possible. Tie off the cord to the tree.
6. To retrieve the bag, untie the food bag cord from the tree and lower the bag to the ground.

Human-Bear Conflicts

One of the primary reasons why bear hanging is so important is that it helps to reduce the risk of human-bear conflicts. When food and other scented items are left unattended on the ground, it can attract bears and other wildlife, which can lead to dangerous encounters. By hanging these items in a tree or other elevated location, you can reduce the risk of attracting bears and other wildlife, thus keeping yourself and the animals safe.

Another benefit of a bear hang is that it helps to preserve the natural habitat and ecosystem of the area. When food and other items are left on the ground, it can have a negative impact on the environment by attracting unwanted wildlife and creating food sources that can alter the natural behavior of the animals in the area. By hanging these items, you can reduce this impact and help to protect the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Bear Hang: An Essential Part of Outdoor Survival

Bear hangs also helps to protect your food and other scented items from theft or damage. When items are left on the ground, they are vulnerable to theft or damage from other animals, such as rodents or raccoons. By hanging these items, you can protect them from theft and damage, ensuring that you have the supplies you need when you need them.

Finally, bear hanging is a crucial skill for anyone who is serious about outdoor survival. In a wilderness setting, having a reliable method of protecting your food and other items is essential for your safety and well-being. By mastering the art of bear hanging, you can ensure that you have the supplies you need to survive and thrive in the great outdoors.

Bear hanging is an essential part of outdoor survival for anyone who loves to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you are a seasoned camper, hiker, or just an avid lover of nature, learning how to properly hang your food and other items can help you stay safe, protect the environment, and preserve your supplies for the journey ahead.