I'm betting it is a pine marten. We had a report of pine marten damage to Ursack a few years ago--although I don't remember what part of the country it was in. As I said in my earlier post, I don't ever recall problems with marmots.
With Kurt going on record saying he's seen a marten at UBSL earlier this year, that theory gains credibility.
I left my Spectra S29 Hybrid amongst the boulders at trail camp for 2 days in June without any compromise to the fabric or losing any of the contents. There were plenty of marmots and other rascals scurrying around. I don't know if it was the odor-proof plastic bag withing the Ursack which made a difference.
I received a replacement Ursack today (one of the new green ones). I'm happy with the way the company stood behind their product, despite the fact that they believe it was damaged by a Pine Marten (which they don't guarantee against), and not a marmot.
I am considering the ursack because I want to lose the weight of my garcia and also have the flexibility to travel with decreased volume. It seems that people are not closing the top securely. Why not have a roll-top closure similar to a maritime "dry bag"? This would render the bag water tight as well. It could have sleeves to wrap the closure around the opposite end.
I have had a personal experience with the Ursack S29 that I will relate. Last year I took my 2 sons for an Onion Valley to Whitney 4 day trip. I wanted to carry both food containers myself due to their size and weight and let my sons carry their clothes and bags. The first day out we got pounded by thunderstorms at Heart lake and we sat it out for 3 hours before deciding to stay below treeline for the night and tackle Forrester Pass early in the morning. I had 2 Ursack S29's. By the time we got set up and dinner cooked it was dark. I mistakenly did not use the aluminum liner on one of the sacks. I cinched them down as tight as I could and thought I secured them to a rock. At 3:30 am a bear was trying to get at the sacks. I immediately unzipped the tent and tried to "encourage" him to leave. He got away with the sack with no liner. In the morning we searched for 2 hours (our trip depended on the food) and we found the bag 1/4 mile away in a ravine. The bag had been opened at the end. I did not report this to the rangers b/c I had not used the liner and felt it could harm Ursack's chance of keeping approval. I make no excuses and I don't blame anyone but myself but I will say this: I am a 40 year old in excellent condition and I cinched the bag as tight as I possibly could. I know the bag is meant to be used with the liner but in my opinion the failure was at the tie. Bottom line: I loved the weight and design of the Ursack but this summer I will go back to the normal bear cannisters. I can't risk losing another trip.
That is not a fun experience, however,it should be noted that that particular bear is widely known as one of the most aggressively persistant in going after backpacker food. I can't imagine a worse place to have a gear foul-up than right there (other than Tuolumne Meadows).
yea now were getting better...my smallest of two bearvaults the 350 is 2lb 1oz & 440cu in. and the bareboxer is 1.85 lb & 275cu in....thanks wingding...mark
