Friends of Killarney Park

abrock · Granite Ridge Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 2

I'm hiking the loop solo in mid august, and I'm just wondering what people hang their food in? Anything bear-proof-ish? Olive jar?

a

jarn · La Cloche Silhouette Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 275

I use as a food bag the stuff sack my Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 3-man tent came in. Pretty light AND free.

(I use compression sacks for my tents)

It could hang on it's own (I keep all food stuffs in Ziplocks as well) but because I'm an enthusiastic stuffer of sacks and not entirely good at being gentle with my gear, there is some compromising of the bottom seam.

So I stick it in my pack and hang that. Do it when I solo, when I'm out with someone else or a group we put everyone's stuff in one sack and hang that. Nice and tidy and organized.

I do have a bear canister but to be honest I've never used it. A bad impulse buy. Sure, it's bear-proof, but it's heavy and unweildy. I've no interest in carrying it.

Blaf · Chikanishing Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 26

Hi abrock.

I use a bag that is similar to my tent bag. Bear canisters are heavy and bulky, it is too much to carry.

I have seen bears in Killarney so make sure you hang your food, and hang it further from your campsite.

Did you book the sites? How many days do you plan for the hike?

jcw · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:23 am Post subject:

When we hiked the trail, we used a Ursack. It is a very tough (but expensive) sack that a bear can't cut open. Available at MEC. We then hung it in a tree.
Jim

jarn · La Cloche Silhouette Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 275

How did you get the Ursack closed???????

I looked at getting it - me and RobtheHiker went to MEC and were looking at it and I seriously couldn't pull it closed - OK, I don't have massive upper body strength (plead out on the being a girl thing Wink

) but I'm not completely weak.

I really wanted one - I still think it's an amazing piece of gear - but how did you close it?

Edit: I think we looked at it a few years ago - maybe it's changed and closes easier? How do you find it?

jcw · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject:

It was a few years ago that we bought it. Our Ursack looks different than the one shown online by MEC. Ours is green. It doesn't take a lot of strength to close ours. That being said there is still a small hole in the top when the rope is pulled tight. Too small for a bear to get in though.
Jim

jarn · La Cloche Silhouette Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 275

OK, I'm going to go to MEC on lunch in the next week or so and try the Ursack again.

....will post a 'Does Jarn close the Ursack like a girl?' summary Wink

abrock · Granite Ridge Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 2

I'm going to MEC on saturday, I'll check into that.

My sites are H5, H18, H22, H34, H46, starting on the 16th. So really 5.5 days. The last day will be a long one, but I booked late, so I sort of deserve it.

Any other bear gear I should carry? Bangers, bells or sprays?

H boyd · The Crack Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 73

depending on your pack weight..46 to home is not a bad day. Bear bells are noisy....

jarn · La Cloche Silhouette Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 275

I agree with HBoyd....your pack should be lightest then, you should be fine for the last day.

H5 is a nice big site. I REALLY like it. Saw a weasel or something (I forget, I'd have to go back and check my pics) along the water there.

I've walked part way down the trail to H18 to get water but don't know the site. It's in a pretty part of Threenarrows as I recall though.

H22 has some seriously crazy steep water access. Be prepared.

H34 is a nice site, as I remember. You can see a cottage from the campsite but just pretend it isn't there Smile

I remember some of the water access being a bit shallow, but the rocks would make a great slide if you don't mind getting algae up your butt Very Happy

H46 I haven't stayed at but I've heard it's huge and nice.

You should have a great trip!

La Cloche is a really fun trail to solo, actually.

I don't carry any noise makers for bears. I've soloed the trail before and been fine. Follow common sense with regards to attractants and hanging stuff and you should be fine. I don't think there's any point in weighing down your pack with bear deterrents when if you do make sure to keep a clean camp and hang your food you should be fine.

From a safety standpoint, I'd recommend carrying a whistle anyways. I'd consider that your bear deterrent noise maker (and no, I don't think it sounds like any ground squirrels we have in Ontario that bears like; that's out in the Rockies with Grizzlies I believe).