Pack damage at Pelion Gap

[shazcol]

On our recent Overland trip we stopped at Pelion Gap to venture up Pelion East as many do. We secured the zips on our packs with carabiner clips, put pack cover on mine, turned them both over as the warning signs suggested to protect them from Currawongs. When I got back I thought I could here some scratching noise near my pack but couldn't see anything so didn't worry, then I took my pack cover off to get lunch and found a rat had chewed a very large hole in my One Planet WBA It had got to the rubbish bag that was between the pack liner and pack. Have just emailed One Planet for advice on how to fix it. Will let you know their response.

Pack Damage 1

P6090628 Pelion Gap pack damage.JPG (73.53 KiB) Viewed 47766 times

Pack Damage 2

P6090629 Pelion Gap pack damage.JPG (95.11 KiB) Viewed 47766 times

[stepbystep]

They will send you a patch.
The Mungo I holed was holed again recently. I don't rate the canvas they are using at all

[corvus]

On our recent Overland trip we stopped at Pelion Gap to venture up Pelion East as many do. We secured the zips on our packs with carabiner clips, put pack cover on mine, turned them both over as the warning signs suggested to protect them from Currawongs. When I got back I thought I could here some scratching noise near my pack but couldn't see anything so didn't worry, then I took my pack cover off to get lunch and found a rat had chewed a very large hole in my One Planet WBA It had got to the rubbish bag that was between the pack liner and pack. Have just emailed One Planet for advice on how to fix it. Will let you know their response.

P6090628 Pelion Gap pack damage.JPG

P6090629 Pelion Gap pack damage.JPG

shazcol did you actually see this creature, as the voracity of a rat is such that it would have saved energy by knawing rather than ripping (they just do not have the claws ) I suspect it may have been a clever Currawong who decided that it would by pass zips et all and just get into it
corvus

[Strider]

That fabric is incredibly thin!

[shazcol]

Corvus I was standing beside the pack when it was happening and I had a visual on the pack for some time coming back down the hill, there was no Currawong to be seen anywhere. Once I had moved the pack I could see where the rat had dragged the rubbish back under the boards, no Currawong would have fitted under there!
One Planet are sending me a patch to fix it.

[corvus]

Corvus I was standing beside the pack when it was happening and I had a visual on the pack for some time coming back down the hill, there was no Currawong to be seen anywhere. Once I had moved the pack I could see where the rat had dragged the rubbish back under the boards, no Currawong would have fitted under there!
One Planet are sending me a patch to fix it.

shazcol I don't want to get into a bun fight over this however rats and mice gnaw and as I mentioned they just do not have the claws(nor strength however weak the canvass) to rip your pack as per your pics,so if your are certain it was not Currawongs it must have been a native perhaps a Quoll or a Possum
corvus

[Ent]

That fabric is incredibly thin!

The WBA is a light weight pack and the newer model uses 8 ounce canvas. I have that canvas on my Shadow and no problems as yet but greater care is needed in packing to avoid hard objects that can act as an anvil. But in this case not much looks like it could be done. I got raided by the corvus (flying type) in the same location as they have mastered the zips and I hope they have not learned a few more tricks.

Be curious how Dyneema goes as that is what my Lowe-Alpine is made out of.

Cheers

[Nuts]

Yep, the rats ate the ice axe pockets from my op vertex. I had stuffed food wrappers there during the evening and the smell was enough for them, maybe they like black as well?
There were a few chunks of canvas on the hut floor but it more seemed that they had swallowed the evidence. I just cut them (the pockets) off but no good for you Col. Should patch easily enough though.

While I was removing the axe pockets I decided that it needed a better front pocket (so I do have some spare black op canvas if you have no luck with OP ):

Photo1.jpg (86.42 KiB) Viewed 47632 times

[Nuts]

Picture 3.png (518.49 KiB) Viewed 47622 times

[shazcol]

There where also plenty of big rodents living in most of the toilets at the huts. The husks seem to be a nice bed for them in the evenings. Sharon dispatched one out of the way with her walking pole.

[Nuts]

Nice and warm and good food supplies. Rodent heaven.
Pelion Gap is a mess, i once liked spending time there...

[corvus]

I agree with regards to the Rodents in the warmth and food source in the toilets and in and around the Huts however Pelion Gap in my experience has no reliable food source nor is it warm and cosy for rats and mice and owing to the exposed area would be subject to predation in daytime so I am genuinely interested as to what creature caused this damage to the pack ?
corvus

[shazcol]

I agree with regards to the Rodents in the warmth and food source in the toilets and in and around the Huts however Pelion Gap in my experience has no reliable food source nor is it warm and cosy for rats and mice and owing to the exposed area would be subject to predation in daytime so I am genuinely interested as to what creature caused this damage to the pack ?
corvus

Quick trip up the Arm river and have a look in the hole right next to the Ossa track under the platform and all your curiosities will be answered?

There was plenty of rodent looking poo around the entrance and some in the pack cover after the attack so make of it what you will. We can only present the evidence as we saw it first hand.

[corvus]

shazcol I accept your statements ,just really curious as to change of animal habits ?? as it could be detrimental long term to the area.
corvus

[Overlandman]

shazcol I accept your statements ,just really curious as to change of animal habits ?? as it could be detrimental long term to the area.
corvus

It may need a couple of large Tiger Snakes relocated from Kiora, early summer

[Pongo]

To add an alternate hypothesis (and necro this thread) couldn't a currawong have made the hole when no one was around, taken off, and Mr Mouse took it from there?

[nickthetasmaniac]

I had exactly the same thing happen to my OP McMillan in exactly the same place during last season, and the pack was buried under a heap of guests packs and beneath one of the logs, so I honestly doubt it was a currawong... The hole in mine looked like it had been gnawed/nibbled rather than torn (OP Canvas doesn't really tear as such...). Also, I have photographic proof that Broad-toothed Mice hang out at Pelion Gap

I emailed OP with the problem and they sent me a patch to the right dimensions free of charge. Then I just got Steve Walker (local sail-maker) to sew it on with some heavy-duty canvas thread

[wayno]

the only holes i've seen on packs chewed by rats are just big enough for the rat to get through, they only chew what they have to on their way to any food in your pack.

[Taz73]

We shacked up in Echo Point hut last night.

In the morning a rat had chewed through to the inside of a pack of another party.

The other 4 packs in the hut were not touched thankfully.

When we arrived in the hut there were faeces everywhere.

Don't think I will be returning regretfully as the location is pretty special.

[ILUVSWTAS]

When we arrived in the hut there were faeces everywhere.

Ummmmmm Are we talking human or rodent???

Rats in the huts along the OT have been mentioned quite a few times on this forum, it's just one of the many reasons i wont sleep in a hut.

[Overlandman]

We shacked up in Echo Point hut last night.

In the morning a rat had chewed through to the inside of a pack of another party.

The other 4 packs in the hut were not touched thankfully.

When we arrived in the hut there were faeces everywhere.

Don't think I will be returning regretfully as the location is pretty special.

Echo Point Hut is legendary for large Rats!
Regards Overlandman

[ILUVSWTAS]

And Bongs stashed in the roof.

[corvus]

The Rats at Echo Point are native and Parks have attempted to re locate them many times I believe however with an easy food source they keep returning and that is why there is a metal food storage box there ,leave any food stuffs /garbage in your pack that you have not hung up and you well may suffer pack damage
corvus

[johnnyt]

I haven't had any rat problems at Echo Point, however have had plenty of other unwanted scavengers elsewhere!
The Currawongs are scarily clever and strong when it comes to opening zips and unbuckling clips, and they wait at all the side-trip spots where people usually leave their packs! The fat possums that live at the huts are completely unafraid of people and quite adept at finding muesli bars in jacket pockets.
Don't ever believe your food is safe!!

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Yes, the rat problem has been there for ages.

The first time I stopped at Echo Point there was a big sign warning of native and black (domestic) rats. We put our food (and old rubbish/food wrappers) in the metal cupboard and didn't have any problems.

The second time I stopped at Echo Point, I again put my food and old wrappers in the cupboard and again, we had no problems.

However, the cupboard did have lots of half full jars of food which people had left behind despite the signs asking people not to leave anything, even if they thought they were doing their fellow walkers a favour.

If people keep leaving their uneaten food there as a 'favour' to other walkers, the rats will remain.

Oh, and Parks, the locker needs to be much, much bigger to fit everyone's food.

[Taz73]

Yes I am talking rodent not human

There was no food in the locker when we arrived and we left none in the hut.

The said pack contained oats and they knew exactly where to find them.

I agree that the locker could be a lot bigger.

[Twilson]

For anyone doing the mt ossa or pelion east side trips. The mice are active in this area once again.

My pack got chewed up real good on the weekend. Luckily it was able to be taped and the repair held up well enough.

The ranger at Kia Ora confirmed that it was the work of a broad toothed mouse. They have relocated them in the past and will likely trap them again soon. In the mean time I'd suggest removing any fresh food (this mouse only seemed to want a nibble of my avocado) and taking it with you!

[Tino B]

I have been using Loksak odour proof bags for a few years now. I usually divide food into a few smaller Opsaks
and then place them into a large one. All my rubbish is placed in one too. At night I put food and trash bags in a MYOG DCF stuff sack and hang it from a tree or rafter in a hut.