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#108878 - 01/06/09 10:58 PM Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking
scottyb Offline
member

Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas Hill Country
I'm looking for something to keep food in the Grand Canyon. Of course bears are not a consideration, but the squirrels, rats, mice, ringtail cats, and ravens seem to have adapted well. I have searched most of the online dealers listed and have not had any luck, other than a bear vault.
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Just because you don't take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.... Pericles (430 B.C)

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#108884 - 01/07/09 08:16 AM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking [Re: scottyb]
Pika Offline
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
I use an Ursack for my GC and other desert hikes. A dedicated mouse can chew through an Ursack, or so I am told, but I have never lost food from one other than to ants. Mine is one of the older greenish versions. It doesn't hurt to hang your food, if possible.
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May I walk in beauty.

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#108885 - 01/07/09 08:20 AM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking [Re: scottyb]
kevonionia Offline
member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 1322
Loc: Dallas, TX
An Ursack? (Pika beat me to it, but here's the link.)


Edited by kevonionia (01/07/09 08:22 AM)
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- kevon

(avatar: raptor, Lake Dillon)


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#108887 - 01/07/09 09:46 AM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking [Re: scottyb]
scottyb Offline
member

Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas Hill Country
Thanks. I knew I had read about them somewhere but couldn't remember the name. It looks like they are sold direct, rather than through an outfitter. Do you try to hang them if possible or just tie them to something heavy? I know trees are scarce but rock walls are readily available.


Edited by scottyb (01/07/09 09:53 AM)
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Just because you don't take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.... Pericles (430 B.C)

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#108908 - 01/07/09 04:24 PM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking [Re: Pika]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
I always hang my food if possible. But,don't all those critters climb trees? What keeps them from getting to your food. I know I've seen squirrels doing hand stands and accrobatics in trees.
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#108941 - 01/07/09 08:52 PM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hik [Re: scottyb]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
Hanging your food in a plastic or nylon bag still leaves it vulnerable to birds. So I was told by a G.C. ranger.

The last time I backpacked in the Grand Canyon I bought a Ratsack directly from the permit office. The Village store sells them too, at least they did last April.

The medium size easily held 3+ day's worth of food. It's not the cheapest or lightest solution but I felt very confident when leaving my food unattended and while sleeping.

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If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

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#109128 - 01/10/09 07:57 PM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hik [Re: Trailrunner]
scottyb Offline
member

Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas Hill Country
Another good idea. Thanks

What type of attachments do you use in the rock?
_________________________
Just because you don't take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.... Pericles (430 B.C)

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#109225 - 01/12/09 06:30 PM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking [Re: scottyb]
kurtibm Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/27/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Grand Canyon
Are you setting a cache for use days/weeks later, or is this for use by you on a backpacking trip?
What part(s) of the Canyon will you be visiting?

The Ratsack guy in Flag seems to have 'flaked' and is not shipping, or responding to inquiries about, his product.

Cheap, effective alternatives include cookie tins (available in round, square, rectangular, etc.) or a (virgin) paint can.

kurt

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#109230 - 01/12/09 08:45 PM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hik [Re: scottyb]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
Originally Posted By scottyb

What type of attachments do you use in the rock?


I use a very high tech approach.......I crammed a stick into a crack laugh
_________________________
If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

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#109280 - 01/13/09 05:20 PM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hik [Re: Trailrunner]
scottyb Offline
member

Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas Hill Country
Originally Posted By Trailrunner
Originally Posted By scottyb

What type of attachments do you use in the rock?


I use a very high tech approach.......I crammed a stick into a crack laugh


Can't beat the price.
_________________________
Just because you don't take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.... Pericles (430 B.C)

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#110686 - 02/04/09 11:44 AM Re: Food Storage In Grand Canyon or any Desert Hiking [Re: scottyb]
Coffeefiend Offline
newbie

Registered: 02/03/09
Posts: 8
Loc: Mid-South USA
There are all sorts of cheap, lightweight tupperwear-type products on the market today. They can be difficult to pack, but they're light, smell-proof and nearly tamper-proof, and they can be used as a drinking cup or, conversely, water-tight storage should the need arise.

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