ok this is a pretty basic question but i don't have much experience in these matters. i am planning a hike which will see me in backcountry for 10 days where there is no water supply. Rather than hike up with 10 days of water, i am planning to store half my water at the base of the trail, then hike back to collect it half way through my stay. My question is - is this kind of thing done or is it a no-no. I would have a 4 litre container and hide it well, being careful not to upset the environment of course. Any advice?
Also, another question. I'm going to be camping in bear country, and they say that black bears have been spotted in the area. Should i definately hang my food up like i am supposed to? Does everyone hang their food up when camping in bear country (this case - canada,quebec.)
thanks!
You are in Quebec and not near a water supply? I'm curious, Where exactly are you going to be?
No, not everyone takes standard precautions of any sort, whether it has to do with bears or not. Sometimes they are lucky and nothing happens. Sometimes they are not so lucky. A friend of mine, to give one example, has his tent and other belongings torn to shreds by a curious black bear out looking for a snack.
Such things don't happen all that often. However, taking precautions is like any form of insurance -- it's a way of avoiding problems and reducing risk.
Yes, take the precautions. As #1 said, the incidents are uncommon but not unheard of and black bears can do really bad things if they are conditioned to and given the opportunity. Caching water should not attract bears. You are going to have a hell of a lot of water to haul!
Are you staying in the same spot for 10 days? If that's the case, I'd just hike in with the extra water. Sure it will be a tough haul, but it saves you another trip going back and forth between the campsite and the trailhead. If you're hiking a loop trail, then... is there another place along the trail you can access (like by driving) besides the trailhead? It is best to cache stuff at a location you will hike to, rather than at the trailhead. Other than that, go ahead. Caching water is a common practice.
I always hang my food when I'm camping in the wilderness. If not in bear country, there are still raccoons, rats, squirrels, and other critters that would love to go on a buffet on your expense. In bear country, hang anything that has any scent whatsoever: food, toothpaste, sunscreen, soap, gum, etc. Don't keep any of that stuff in your tent. In grizzly country, some people would even cook and eat before the end of the day, then hike another half an hour to set up camp. They would also hang the clothes they were wearing while cooking and eating, and change into a clean set of clothes for sleeping. May seem a little extreme, but it's better than waking up in the middle of the night when a bear is sniffing your face.
In some places, where the bear is known to steal human food, the management agency may require the use of bearproof canisters for storing your food. Check with the local rangers/wardens, they can make better recommendations than a bunch of people on the internet anyway.
Just a thought, but if you are out for 10 days and only planning on caching 4 L of water, I don't think that will be enough. Is there water in the area, but you are concerned about it not being pure enough to drink? Just go to your local camping/fishing/outdoors store and they will have iodine tablets that you can use to purify water. Beats packing it in - water is heavy. I live in a hot, dry area, so I use more water than you will in Quebec, but I can easily go through 4 L in a day.
And I would definitely go with the bear hang.
Definitely take precautions for bears. They can be problematic. Beter safe than sorry.
Where in Quebec are you going that there isn't nearby water? 8L, if I read correctly, of water for 10 days is not enough, especially if you are doing some heavy activity. Look into alternatives such as purification tablets, filters, etc.
Firstly I have the same sentiments as #1. Canada with no water supply?? Take with you a bog standard water bag (normally used for canoeing), perhaps a 10 litre one and half fill it (remember 10kg is a lot to carry). If you're hiking you should drink around a litre per hour (4 litres is nothing!!). Dehydration is a serious thing and makes hiking MUCH harder. If you feel thirsty you should have been drinking already! When you pass a stream fill up what you have drunk (and drink plenty more from the stream). Read some literature on water safety, but I would think that if you're sensible about where you get the water from (ie fast flowing stream etc...) you shouldnt even need purifying tablets. If in doubt boil the water...simply bring it to roling boil for a minute and it should be fine. Drink lots!!
The others are right that bear attacks are relatively rare, but if you think that a bear can smell a fish being cooked 8 miles away (!) you should understand that it is very important that you hang your food overnight and put it far away from your camp. Some people even suggest hanging clothes that you cooked and ate in! I think its easy to overdo these things, but the last thing you want is a tonne of lard crashing through your tent in the middle of the night!
I would read some literature about both of these things and (even though its a relatively short journey), put together a plan of what to do should the worst happen. Speak to the local rangers and locals. They know their neighbourhood!
the water is an issue! ok i have changed my plans----
i will have 10 litres of water for 8 days. Only 8 hours during the entire 8 days will be spent hiking. So i assume this will be enough water?! i could always leave 2X 4 Litre containers at the bottom of the trail.... but i figure it's not like i am hiking for 8 hours every day. Most days i will not hike anywhere.
The hike back to get the water is 3kms, so not a great distance. I am planning to hike up with 6 litres in my pack, then come back for another 4 litres i have dumped at the trail, when i am close to running out. The trail is only one way, not a loop, and i don't have a car.
i have been told there is no water on the trail. I know, crazy, but that is what i am told and i am not going to risk otherwise - so will plan for the information to be true (the parks person told me this directly. twice - because i wanted to be sure.) i'll take tablets in case they were wrong but can't afford to assume they aren't. the trail is in forillon national park.
thanks for the info on the bears. I will suspend my food and smelly stuff (do socks count??!)
I still think 10L isn't much. Better to take more and not have to use it than to feel thirsty all the time. You can just leave a bigger cache at the trailhead. Remember, too, that if you are cooking any food you will need water for that as well. Ditto if you want to brush your teeth, wash your face, etc. Sounds like you will be relatively close to an escape-route if you run dry, but if you are not used to being outdoors all day, don't underestimate how much the sun and wind can take out of you, even if you're just sitting around.
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