Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Ursa Bags

Anyone have any experience with Ursa Bags? I've been intrigued ever since I started seeing them advertised in Backpacker. They certainly would be lighter than canisters. The receptionist at INYO says they haven't proven very effective, but couldn't give any details/specifics.

I guess the main brand of these are the Ursacks. Check them out at this website.

not allowed in many areas, but if they were, I'd consider bringing one (and hang it like in the old days)

http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/approvedcontainers.htm

There seems to be a dispute about their effectiveness, see the Ursack site for details. That aside, they are currently they not an option on the MMWT.

If they were legal, I would use the one I own. I've using Ursack products for a decade in the Sierra and Traverse Ranges of SoCal without a problem.

I also have used a Ursack for a decade, and have not had a problem. However, I'd absolutely NOT hang them, as in bear-bagging. The bear, familiar with bear-bagging, will specifically target the bag, wheras if they are able to inspect it, they will get frustrated and leave. I do like to tie it to a dead tree.

Of course, they can only be used in areas not requiring cannisters, but they also work against mice, marmots, etc. I think in areas that they are required, the bears are "educated", and will spend hours and hours on them, where wild bears will not.