food storage at/above treeline

[SeanAlfred]

I was just wondering what other people do for food storage when at or above treeline. I bury my food in a pile of rocks or jam it into a crack and block it up. Although I have never had a problem, I didn't know if I am being overly cautious. So I'm just looking for tips, suggestions, or ideas of what works for you, or hasn't worked for you. Thanks! Also, do you store food differently depending on the season?

[wineguy]

Interesting question, I've camped above tree line several times, but never where I had concern about bears. I always just left my food in a backpack under the tent vestibule. If marmots are greater concern than bears, this might be better than burying the food under rocks. But I'll be interested in other's comments.

[ezabielski]

For sleeping I just sleep with my food regardless of what altitude I am at. For leaving food at a base camp I would tie it up or use an Ursack. Mostly because I don't want critters to easily get it.

[justiner]

I don't know what burying food under rocks is going to do.


Ursacks don't seem to be fully useful for bears, or rodents at the same time, except the Allmighty. The one made for bears isn't rodent-proof; the one for rodents isn't bear-proof!


Bear canister would work - or just don't leave unattended food in high risk places.

[Chicago Transplant]

Bear canister, ever w/o risk of bears, to keep the small critters out. Usually put in in a pile of rocks, willow bush, or deadfall to keep it from rolling away.

[douglas]

I don't know what burying food under rocks is going to do.


Ursacks don't seem to be fully useful for bears, or rodents at the same time, except the Allmighty. The one made for bears isn't rodent-proof; the one for rodents isn't bear-proof!


Bear canister would work - or just don't leave unattended food in high risk places.

I've had good luck with my "bear proof" ursack and critters. The say it's not critter proof, but when I've hung mine and my buddies' plastic bags have been ravaged mine has always been unscathed. I just make sure to tie it tight around the mouth so there's no opening.

[SeanAlfred]

My biggest concern I guess would be marmots and other small rodents. I keep my food in a small bear canister type thing. maybe not bear proof, but I don't see a marmot unscrewing anything (I could be wrong here). I just am unsure if a marmot could chew through a bear canister? Me putting it under rocks is more to keep it where I put it. Haven't put anything under the vestibule, as I would be worried about attracting extra attention to my tent for rodents to chew on whatever they please. I know all the rodents should be sleeping at night, so I'm more concerned about while Im away from my tent I guess

[powhound]

I use a Loksack (odor-proof "ziplock style" bag) inside a Ratsack (wire mesh bag). Just set it on the ground near camp. To keep larger critters from possibly dragging it away, I put a few rocks on it or tether it to a bush. Either way, while sleeping, I'll stack my cook pot and lid on top so I'll hear that clanging around if a larger animal is messing with it. This set up also works great in the desert, where there are no tall trees for hanging and plenty of evidence of rats nearby. So far so good.

I know all the rodents should be sleeping at night, so I'm more concerned about while Im away from my tent I guess

I've seen mice scurry around at night - and when sleeping under the stars with no tent, I once woke up in the middle of the night with a mouse in the foot of my sleeping bag.

[SeanAlfred]

I use a Loksack (odor-proof "ziplock style" bag) inside a Ratsack (wire mesh bag)

Gotta say I like this idea

[cougar]

I use a bear canister. Almost immediately after setting it in some rocks and covering it with a couple other rocks, a pika went over to check it out.

SeanAlfred wrote:
I know all the rodents should be sleeping at night, so I'm more concerned about while Im away from my tent I guess

I've seen mice scurry around at night - and when sleeping under the stars with no tent, I once woke up in the middle of the night with a mouse in the foot of my sleeping bag.

Rodents are most active at night. A guy I was camping with woke up to a mouse chewing on his finger. Another mouse made a nest in someone else's bag during the night.

[tmud]

I always use a dry bag to store food and have never had a problem. I leave it at camp, hang it 8ft off the ground at night, never been touched.

[kaiman]

I routinely use an Opsack/Ursack combo nowadays (except where a bear canister is required), both above and below tree line and in the desert. Above tree line I will often tie the Ursack off around the base of a large rock (think rappel anchor) or cover it with small rocks.

In my experience rodents are far more of a nuisance than bears in the backcountry and what’s nice about this setup is that the Opsack is fairly odorproof which discourages both rodents and bears and the Ursack is super tough (made from high grade Cuben Fiber) which prevents destruction by both rodents and bears. It seems to be a winning combination to me that is also fairly lightweight (weighing in at 6-7 ounces for both bags).

Kai