nelamvr6,

I tend to camp alone and away from regular campsites (except on the AT (it's not really practical when thru-hiking).

I have never been compulsive about The Triangle and never been bothered (by critters).

I don't use a tent, so no cooking in the vestibule. Like others, I will often switch to cold food in case of serious rain. My poncho is also my shelter, and I carry rain gear to boot, so if I really want to cook, and the rain's not too serious, I just find a nice large tree, twenty five or thirty yards from camp and sit under it to boil water and eat.

I try to keep food off my clothes, but again, I'm not compulsive about it. On the AT, I eat right at the shelter like everyone else (since it's already as contminated is it can get).

Best, jcp