System 1, Traditional

The traditional two-tree "bear rope" system for hanging food basically uses a vertical haul rope attached to a horizontal line strung between two trees. Installing one or more rings (or tying loops) on the horizontal rope makes it easy to attach the haul rope at various points. My suggestion is to in effect cut the horizontal rope in two and attach the two pieces in the center using a caribiner. Refering to the rope on the right as the "red" rope, the one on the left as the "blue" rope, and the haul rope as the "black" rope, you get something like this (with horrible artistry). The two piece horizontal rope makes it easier to get the rope up in the two trees without using a separate line.


A multiple pulley system provides mechanical advantage, something that is need for a heavy food pack. Here are examples of the red and blue ropes with a clip at the end, and the black pulley rope. Notice the golf ball on the pulley rope to prevent the end of the rope from going through the pulley.

red or blue horizontal rope

black haul rope (food attaches to caribiner, the other end attaches to the horizontal rope)


A picture of everything put together.

System 2, An alternative


Given these ropes however, there is what I consider a better way to hang the food.
The problem with the system above, is to raise the food, one must exert force down on the center of the horizontal rope. That is not a solid point of contact and as more force is applied, the horizontal ropes sags more. The sagging horizontal works against your efforts to raise the food pack. As an alternative, change the blue rope so it ends where it hangs over the branch. Attach the black rope between the red and blue ropes (instead of hanging down from them).
In this design, the haul rope becomes part of the horizontal section between the two trees. As the haul rope is pulled, the horizontal section shortens eliminating sag and raising the food pack. The advantage is the counter force being exerted as you pull on the haul rope is no longer pulling down on the center of the horizontal line. Instead it is being applied to the blue rope left at the tree. In addition, as the pack rises, the force becomes more and more horizontal, and is withstood by the trunk of the tree. I have found it makes raising the pack easier. Compared with the other system, you also end up with less sag (meaning you can get your food the same height off the ground using lower level tree limbs). Compare the amount of sag in the picture from the traditional system with the picture using the alternative the system.


Using these three ropes, the camper has the option of using either system.