Food containers

[deadwood]

Previously I've only been concerned about keeping food dry, so zip-lock bags have been fine, but I'm heading to the Overland Track shortly and it sounds like the possums have been trained to associate people with food , so I'm wondering if I need to pack the food in something a bit more robust. The problem with robust is that it's bulkier and heavier and more troublesome to pack efficiently. Would possums still go for the shop-bought freeze-dried green chicken curry? What do peoples pack their dried fruit and nuts and muesli bars in to stop the possums and rodents eating their food stocks or destroying tents and packs trying to get to them?

Thanks

[andrewa]

I normally just use stuff sacks/roll top bags, and, if anxious about animals, hang it from some fishing line/ light cord from something. Don't use heavier stuff, as critters can sometimes "abseil" down heavier cords.

A

[Joomy]

Get a Zpacks cuben fibre "blast" food bag. Hang it from something or just let the critters try biting through the dyneema strands. Also the cylindrical screw top containers supermarkets sell are pretty light, much lighter than a Nalgene equivalent and tough enough. I use a 1L one as my bowl.

[MartyGwynne]

I use a 5 litre white plastic bucket which you can buy from specialty type of plastic tub shops or recycle some of the tougher 1 litre tubs which honey etc comes in. If I am worried about critters eating my food.

[Genesis]

I use any number of 3L Deco containers generally 2, depending on how much food I am taking.
These keep my food dry and sealed away from critters, So far so good. these are also great
for collecting water and have measures on the side are clear so you can see all the contents and are cheap!

I am off to the SCT soon so I will really test this system. I may even hang my food in a bag overnight
to get it out of my tent as to not tempt critters close to my pack and tent. I would be a little cross
if my pack or tent were gnawed through!

Genesis

[Onestepmore]

Has anyone purchased or used the designated bear canisters that USA walkers are required to take in some areas?
Would these be suitable to stop animals from pilfering food eg on the OLT, or are they overkill?
http://www.backcountry.com/bear-vault-b ... YW5pc3Rlcg

I have a blue cuben Zpakcs food bag that has a roll top and a carbiner so if needed it can be slung up over a branch. Apparently there are some lines that don't damage trees ( Z-line slick cord - Dyneema)
http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/bear_bag.shtml

If this going to be enough on the OLT to stop possums and rodents if it's suspended from a tree?
Or do you need a Decor or Tuppaware plastic box?

[corvus]

OSM,


You do not really need to go to that extent for food preservation from wild life just ensure your food and food scraps are contained inside your pack well away from tent walls or better still, stash in the huts overnight.

You will be fortunate that the huts no longer harbour resident rodents like the " old new pelion hut " (hope the water rats still frequent Echo Point Hut though) .
Your biggest predator on the OLT will be Currawongs that can open zips and nick you Scroggin or what ever when you offload to do a side trip.
corvus

[norts]

A better idea than a bear canister might be the Ursack. They arent as heavy as canister. But would definitely be tough enough to stop a possum.
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-catalog.htm

[Onestepmore]

Haha I love the description for the Ursack
" Your food might get crushed, punctured, or slobbered on, but the bears won't get it"

Anyone tried the odourproof sealable plastic bags?
http://www.ursack.com/product9.html

The blurb for the Ursack Minor says "For critters--not bears. The Ursack Minor is made of a fabric woven from Kevlar "bullet proof" fiber and stainless steel. The highly cut resistant weave prevents sharp toothed critters from getting your food". It calims that it has been tested with dogs and nibbling mice. Racoons can't get in it with the secret knot. Possums?
http://www.ursack.com/product11.html

[corvus]

A better idea than a bear canister might be the Ursack. They arent as heavy as canister. But would definitely be tough enough to stop a possum.
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-catalog.htm

Norts,
With respect are you speaking from experience of use please.
corvus

[icefest]

Odorproof bags are anything but. I remember reading a recent experiment (I think BPL) about a test using bags with illicit substances. They were not effective.

You also would have to not touch any food on the outside.

If you are worried, the ursack is the way to go. (also, I love the punny name)

[norts]

No
But if a they can foil a bear they would stop a possum or a rat.

I was just throwing another idea out there.

Roger

[Strider]

Just because they can't get in doesn't mean they won't gnaw it to shreds..

[Joomy]

Ain't no possum or rat going to chew through an Ursack that's for sure. Dyneema is tough stuff -- can't even cut it with regular scissors.

[Onestepmore]

This has stainless steel in the fabric - maybe even my pug couldn't chew through it!

(Pugs are pigs
Sadly I heard of one recently who suffocated overnight becuase the owner left an empty chip packet on the floor.... )

Has anyone actually seen one of these rodent proof Ursacs in the flesh?
Maybe I'll order one for a test-drive

[Joomy]

Oh yeah I didn't realise that the Ursack Minor was made from different stuff. Still Zpacks has a testimonial saying that someone let a rat try to chew through his "Blast" food bag (heavy weight cuben fibre) all night and it barely made a dent.

[corvus]

Ain't no possum or rat going to chew through an Ursack that's for sure. Dyneema is tough stuff -- can't even cut it with regular scissors.

Interesting thought /quote, as I have 4mm Dyneema guy lines that I was able to cut to length ? just saying though
corvus

[Joomy]

Ain't no possum or rat going to chew through an Ursack that's for sure. Dyneema is tough stuff -- can't even cut it with regular scissors.

Interesting thought /quote, as I have 4mm Dyneema guy lines that I was able to cut to length ? just saying though
corvus

Maybe you have pretty good scissors? I just know from working with cuben fibre that I can't get a clean cut with average scissors or knives. And once I tried to replace a frayed Salomon shoelace (which I'm pretty sure are dyneema) and it took much effort to cut the original lace off.

[Strider]

Cuben isn't just Dyneema, which actually cuts very very easily.