Lesson Overview

In this lesson, learners will master the art of the "Bear Bag Hang." While it’s a required skill for Boy Scouts, it’s also a vital survival skill for anyone venturing into the backcountry. We will focus on the "PCT Method" (Pacific Crest Trail), which is widely considered the most "bear-proof" way to secure food without a canister.

Materials Needed

• 50 feet of lightweight cord (Paracord or 2mm reflective line)
• 2 Lightweight stuff sacks (one for food, one for the "throw weight")
• 1 Small carabiner
• A small rock or beanbag (for throwing)
• Weights to simulate food (books, water bottles, or actual camping food)
• Access to a tree with a sturdy branch about 15-20 feet high
• A small stick (about 4-6 inches long) to act as a "toggle"

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

• Explain the "12-4-10 Rule" for bear bag placement.
• Demonstrate the proper technique for throwing a weighted line over a high branch.
• Successfully execute the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) method of hanging a bear bag.
• Describe the "Bear-Muda Triangle" camp layout for safety.

1. Introduction: The Hook

The Scenario: You’ve hiked 10 miles. You’re exhausted. You just ate a delicious meal of dehydrated beef stroganoff. You crawl into your sleeping bag, only to realize you left your extra granola bars in your backpack. At 2:00 AM, you hear a heavy sniff-sniff-crunch right outside your tent. A 300-pound Black Bear just found your snacks—and now he’s looking for more.

The Goal: Keeping your food away from bears isn't just about saving your lunch; it’s about "Leave No Trace." A bear that gets human food often becomes a "problem bear" and may have to be put down by rangers. We hang bags to save the bears and ourselves.

2. Body: Content and Practice

Part A: The "I Do" - The Rules of the Hang

Before we touch the rope, we have to know where to hang it. Use the 12-4-10 Rule:

• 12 Feet High: The bag must be at least 12 feet off the ground (bears are tall!).
• 4 Feet Out: The bag must be at least 4 feet away from the tree trunk (bears are great climbers).
• 10 Feet Away: The bag must be 10 feet away from any other nearby branches or trees.

The "Bear-Muda" Triangle: In a campsite, your Sleeping Area, your Cooking Area, and your Food Storage Area should form a triangle, each at least 70-100 steps (200 feet) apart. This keeps the smells away from your tent.

Part B: The "We Do" - The Throw and the Setup

Let's practice the most frustrating part: getting the rope over the branch!

1. The Rock Sack: Put a rock in your small stuff sack and tie it to one end of the cord.
2. The Toss: Coil the rest of the rope at your feet (make sure you aren't standing on it!). Underhand toss the rock bag over a branch that meets our 12-4-10 criteria.
3. The Reset: If you miss, pull it back and try again. Pro-Tip: Aim for the "V" where the branch meets the trunk if you're struggling, then slide it out.

Part C: The "You Do" - The PCT Method (Step-by-Step)

Now, follow these steps to secure the bag using the PCT method. This method is great because it doesn't require tying the rope to a tree trunk (which bears can figure out how to claw through).

1. Clip It: Clip your carabiner to the end of the rope you just threw over the branch.
2. Run It: Take the other end of the rope (the one still on the ground) and run it through the carabiner.
3. Attach Food: Clip your heavy food bag to that same carabiner.
4. The Pull: Pull the free end of the rope. This will hoist your food bag all the way up to the branch.
5. The Toggle: Reach up as high as you can on the rope you are holding. Tie a quick clove hitch or a simple loop around your small stick (the toggle).
6. The Release: Slowly let go of the rope. The food bag will drop down, but the stick will get caught against the carabiner, locking the bag in mid-air!

3. Conclusion: Closure and Recap

Summary: Today we learned that bear bagging is about protecting wildlife and our gear. We mastered the 12-4-10 rule and the "Bear-Muda" triangle for camp safety. Finally, we used the PCT method to hang a bag that stays secure without needing a trunk tie-off.

Discussion Question: Why is the PCT method better than just tying the rope to the bottom of the tree? (Answer: Bears are smart; they can see the rope tied to the trunk and use their claws to cut it, causing the food to fall. With the PCT method, there is no rope near the trunk for them to mess with.)

Assessment

Formative Check: Ask the student to explain the 12-4-10 rule before they start the "You Do" section.

Summative Assessment (Success Criteria): The student is successful if the bag is:

1. Suspended at least 12 feet high.
2. At least 4 feet from the trunk.
3. Locked in place using the stick/toggle method.
4. Tested: The instructor should "play bear" and try to find a rope at ground level to pull. If there is no rope to pull, the student wins!

Differentiation & Adaptations

• For Struggling Learners: Use a bright-colored rope and a lower branch (8-10 feet) to practice the knot and toggle mechanics before moving to a full-height tree.
• For Advanced Learners: Challenge them to do a "Counterbalance Hang." This requires two bags of equal weight and no toggle—a much harder balancing act!
• Digital/Verbal Variation: If no trees are available, have the student draw a diagram of the "Bear-Muda Triangle" and explain the mechanics of the PCT knot using a clothesline or a doorway.