What do you bring into the tent at night when bears are active?

[LucyInColor]

I'll be hiking the NJ section next August & may not have room to bring my pack inside the tent at night. Two of us will share a two man tent. I understand that bears are active in that area. Should I hang my pack at night along with the food? I also wonder if items like chap stick, toothpaste and lanolin are too yummy smelling to bring in the tent at night? What's the protocol? What would you do?

[Captain Bluebird]

Two person tent with two sharing the tent.... Hang the backpacks along with the food bags! You will appreciate the room in the tent and worry less about attracting the active bear population.

In addition to that and somewhat related, while hiking and staying in shelters in the GSMNP the park rangers strongly suggest hanging the packs and food bags.

[BuckeyeBill]

Well if you can't bring it in the tent with you, hanging is the best option. I keep all of the smell good stuff in Loksac Opsaks, (odor proof bags). My toilet kit is also in one, but I would keep that with me under your circumstances. I have a Ursack AllMitey Bear Bag that I lined with a extra large Opsak. YMMV

[Venchka]

...
Should I hang my pack at night along with the food? I also wonder if items like chap stick, toothpaste and lanolin are too yummy smelling to bring in the tent at night? What's the protocol? What would you do?

Everything that you would put on your person or in your mouth goes in your food bag. Don't forget to get empty food wrappers and crumbs out of your pack and into the trash bag inside the food bag.
Wayne



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[Sarcasm the elf]

I'll be hiking the NJ section next August & may not have room to bring my pack inside the tent at night. Two of us will share a two man tent. I understand that bears are active in that area. Should I hang my pack at night along with the food? I also wonder if items like chap stick, toothpaste and lanolin are too yummy smelling to bring in the tent at night? What's the protocol? What would you do?

When I did NJ we each kept our packs in the vestibule of the tent which worked well for us. If this is not an option for you then I would recommend that you not just leave your pack lying around and instead secure it. For most of the NJ section you are required to stay at designated sites and the good news is that if I recall, every designated site has an excellent quality bear box (still bring supplies for a bear hang just in case). The exception is the few miles farthest South is part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, this section allows dispersed camping and therefore does not have bear boxes.

Everything that you would put on your person or in your mouth goes in your food bag. Don't forget to get empty food wrappers and crumbs out of your pack and into the trash bag inside the food bag.
Wayne



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What Venchka said.

Since he mentioned it, in all of my time camping and backpacking the only animal damage I have sustained was when I accidentally left a Payday wrapper in my hipbelt pocket this summer and a mouse ate a hole through to get to it while I was sleeping at a shelter.

[eggymane]

Bears being active doesn't change what I bring into my shelter. The difference of being in bear territory or not being in bear territory changes that however.

[DuneElliot]

I use my pack as support for my pillow...doesn't take up any more space and actually helps to stop things sliding around or falling off.

As far as what I bring into the tent...only my chapstick, everything else goes into the bear bag and hung...trash, food and toiletries.

[Farr Away]

We had a raccoon try to run off with the potty bag (zip lock with toilet paper, trowel & unscented hand sanitizer bagged individually). It never had anything that would have smelled edible in or near it. We were about a mile or so from a front country campground though, and I'm sure the raccoon had learned that zip locks = good things to eat. I'd say it was one disappointed critter - After tearing the bag open, it dropped it and ran off.

-FA

[Malto]

I bring everything into my shelter if I have it set up. Most of my gear is somehow part of my sleep system except for my pot.

[Sarcasm the elf]

I bring everything into my shelter if I have it set up. Most of my gear is somehow part of my sleep system except for my pot.

I'm honestly surprised that you haven't yet found a way to incorporate your cookpot into your shelter system.

Perhaps it could be used as a snowstake?

[Malto]

I'm honestly surprised that you haven't yet found a way to incorporate your cookpot into your shelter system.

Perhaps it could be used as a snowstake?

I tried it as part of my pillow. Titanium is not very soft and fluffy.

[macdiver]

I keep everything in odor proof bags in my tent. Otherwise, i have my 9mm Ruger handy.

[TNhiker]

while hiking and staying in shelters in the GSMNP the park rangers strongly suggest hanging the packs and food bags

its not a suggestion to hang the food bags in the Park----its a requirement......

[Dogwood]

I knew this would be an entertaining thread. Popcorn anyone?

[TNhiker]

Popcorn anyone?

i think you have to hang that as well.......

[-Rush-]

The best way to avoid bears and other critters is to avoid shelters and designated camp areas. You're not going to get rid of the smells that a bear's nose can pick up. It's all over you and you don't even know it.

[TTT]

Campfire smoke has been used to mask scent. It seems to work on certain animals.

[Captain Bluebird]

Tnhiker, is it required to hang the pack on bear cable in GSMNO?

[Captain Bluebird]

Sorry, GSMNP

[-Rush-]

Tnhiker, is it required to hang the pack on bear cable in GSMNO?

No, it's not required, and a lot of the time there are no cables left if you show up late.