"i don't think i'm strong enough to do this" says the woman who crossed america three times and earned the triple crown.

Way to be humble on that amazing fricken award!!!!! Congratulations Alabama!

Wow, I was proud of you the moment I saw the subtle KZfaq award reveal. You deserve that, you know we love you for you. It's a great channel and everyone agrees.

Excellent and useful video, Dixie! I've used the first and third methods before (number three comes in handy out West where there are fewer deciduous trees). One tip: If you're using a large rock to loft your line across a branch, make sure to step to the side after you throw, or you may face "the pendulum of doom" coming your way on the back end. Not that this has ever happened to me, of course.

i snorted when you put your silver award in your food bag. congrats girl you deserve it! looking forward to seeing your gold award :)

So good, thanks! This will come in handy for my Algonquin trip coming!!

We don't have wild bears here in Costa Rica. However, definitely I'm trying this out on my next camping trip!! Thanks!!

Locking caribiners are a must. Don't want that sucker to grab a branch. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing this practical knowledge. Hanging a bear bag is mentioned in many backpacking videos, but there is a dearth of examples. Much appreciated.

I spent a summer in late 70s working at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Lots of Boy Scouts hiking through and lots of bears. We always used the third method of suspending bag between two trees since the bears always seemed to be able to down a bag suspended from a tree limb. This usually worked, but some bears there had learned the "Kamakaze" technique of climbing above the suspended bag and diving onto it!

I was an Assistant Scoutmaster here in CA from ‘97-‘03. We used the counterbalance method: you take two stuff sacks/food bags & evenly divvy up the food & smellables between the two bags by weight. You throw the rock w/ cord tied around it over the appropriate branch, tie a carabiner to the end of the cord & clip bag #1 to it, haul bag #1 up until it kisses the branch. Tie a slipknot into the cord above your head, put a carabiner through the loop of the slipknot, & tighten. Stuff the excess/loose end of the cord into bag #2, & use a trekking pole/long stick to push bag #2 up until it’s as high up & balanced w/ bag #1. In the morning, prod one of the bags until the 2 bags unbalance, & retrieve your bags & food. On a trip doing half the JMT (Happy Isle to Muir Trail Ranch, out over Florence Lake on the ferry) we bumped into a couple at the campsites below the north side of Donohue Pass, right near the footbridge. They were also doing the counterbalance method, but they passed a 2nd parachute cord through the carabiner they attached to bag #1, but didn’t tie the 2nd cord to to anything. When bag #2 was attached to the end of the 1st cord, and the excess cord stuffed into bag #2, they took the 2 ends of the 2nd cord, held them together, and used the 2nd cord to haul bag #2 up until it was even with bag #1. They then took the ends of the 2nd cord & draped them in bushes in opposite directions. Not being tied to anything, & just passing through the carabiner, if a bear were to grab on of the loose ends of the 2nd cord & were to tug on it, the cord would just pull through the carabiner, and the bags would still be hanging; but if you in the morning (if a bear left the 2nd cord alone (which they always did for us) bring the 2 ends of the 2nd cord back together you can pull on them together & lower the bags.

Every single time I google some info I'm looking for your videos pop right up.

Whenever I need some backpacking tips, you’re at the top of my list to gain the knowledge I’m seeking. Thank you for your wonderful channel! 👏🏻

This was so helpful thank you! I bought the bear bagging kit you suggested and am so glad you showed the 2nd and 3rd hanging methods here!

Thanks for showing this with 'real world' trees. Many other vids seem to find the absolutely perfect tree to demonstrate on, which have thus far eluded me in my travels through the brush.

Very helpful information as always! Thanks Dixie ❤️

Thanks! I love how much detail and time you put into each video. Congrats on building your channel

Dixie, great videos on and off trail. One critique though...knots. Gotta learn some knots. When tying off to a wrapped-around-a-trunk-line you’re using a slip knot, consider a bowline to grip the line your lashing to. And in the clothes line hang, the third one, the bag hanging loop really wants a full pass around the lines before feeding the bite through. This will give you a figure eight knot, one that is much easier to break open after a ten pound food bag is working the knot all night. :-) Keep up the amazing work!

You always have a calm, friendly mien during your discussions. Excellent!

Best overview/demonstration I've seen on hanging bear bags. Thanks!

Cool thanks! I haven't hiked in bear country and I always wondered how about the areas with trees and not many branches! Have a blessed Christmas and a great New year!

Vielen Dank für die tolle Demonstration habe so ein Video schon sehr vermisst

When using the PCT methid, use a locking carabener to prevent the loose end of the line from pushing through the gate again (in bad weather or careless handling) effectivcly locking the line to the bener.

Thank you Dixie, you just made my afternoon better!

Thank you for this tips, and for all your tips in general, I really appreciate the way you inform us, always very acurate 🙏🏻

Perfect explanation, very good info. Thanks

I was in the Nevada Sierras one night and we used a campfire to keep the wildlife away. It didn't work-out very well!!! I nodded-out and, when I woke-up, there was one flame about 10 - 12 inches high, a bag of candy to my right and a black bear standing to my left salivating over the candy. Also, I had to leave the safety of the fire for more wood throughout the night (we got there, just, before sunset). I'd seen 2 pair of eyes but, without more wood- to keep the fire going, in-camp would quickly become out-there so, there wasn't "much of a choice to make." As I disturbed a piece of wood it disturbed a rattler (couldn't see but did hear it). THANK GOD FOR THAT RATTLER!!! It bit one of the panthers (the one affixing it's teeth to my neck)- saving my life! I'm a bit "hard of hearing" and like to point-out that it's better to be "hard of hearing" than "hard of understanding" but, I admit that I'm baffled you can feel comfortable "out there" with no-more- for a weapon- than that little blade hanging from your neck.

Hey HW great video w excellent instructions! Happy trails gal!

Thanks for posting. Have a wonderful holiday/ Christmas ma'am.

Love this kit

Great video Dixie! Your Ebook is excellent too. Everyone should get a copy!

Love the videos dude, keep up the fantastic work. Been following your channel since the AT.

Wow! Love the "PCT method"! Thanks for sharing.

Excellent educational video. Your technical background shines through. Thank you.

Our food bags on canoe trips are often considerably heavier because there is no opportunity to resupply every few days. Using any of these 3 methods, there is way too much friction between the branch and rope to get a heavy food pack up. So we use a 2 rope combination of Dixie's first and third methods. The first rope is thrown over a high branch then one end is lowered to the ground. Tie on a small lightweight pulley and thread the second rope through the pulley. Tie the 2 ends of the second rope together so you can't lose it. Raise the pulley back up to the branch and tie that rope off. Untie the ends of the second rope then tie one end of it to the food bag. Pull the other end to raise the food bag up then tie it off on the tree trunk using a trucker's hitch which is easy to undo later to lower the food bag. Using this method, you can set up the ropes while it's still daylight and hang the food bag later. Or even bring it up and down several times if you're camped on the same site for several days. The 'rope' I use is lightweight paracord. The pulley is my own innovation. You should be able to buy one at any hardware store for a couple of bucks. We leave it attached to the rope all the time. Dixie, thanks for showing the second method, PCT Style. I'd never seen that and I want to try it. It's a nice method for lighter weight food bags.

Realize this is an older post, congratulations on your award anyway! I'm hooked on your great content and the really cool person you are. Thank you for all you give to the community.

Congrats Dixie! My wife and I just received the two t-shirts we bought from you yesterday. We love them! Don't be surprised if you come down into Montgomery seeing people wearing them. My entire office watches your videos ...keep at it!

Thank you for this video!! I will be using one of these techniques on my hike next week.

Only just came across this video now, but i love the subtle flex. So deserved. I love all your videos!

Hey Dixie, Thanks for this video. It is on my favorites list. I just did my first multi-day backpacking trip and I felt totally confident about hanging my bear bag, even though I'd never done it. My bag was hung (both nights) like a champion and I have you to thank. Can't wait to get out in the woods again!! Thank you for this and I can't wait for the next new video.

Perfect, exactly what I was hoping to learn. Thanks for sharing.

This is a great video: short, excellent demos and explanation, no dumb intro graphics. Subscribed because of this. 10/10 Appi trail vet. Would camp with!

Ok, I will be using the PCT style from now on. Simple but effective, I love it, thanks.

Great informative video. Thank you so much for posting!

This is an amazing video!!! The 3rd method is what we wish we knew on the Foothills Trail! We ended up just packing all the food in our odor free bags and into 1 pack and set it far from the tents and just prayed. Luckily we had no issues but this will make my Mom, kids, and I feel so much better on our next backpacking trip!

Great Job. Glad you did all 3 for comparison.

Excellent! I get it now! Very clear instructions. Thanks!

One of the better videos on this topic. Thanks!

Great vid. It can take so long sometimes to find a good tree. The 2 tree method is a winner! Thanks.

This is the BEST video I've seen!! Thank you!

I love you, Dixie. The other videos I watched re: the PCT method were all "use this knot, use that knot." I was desperately trying to learn the damn knots and then forgetting them. I have never been a knot person. Watched your video and DUH. It's perfectly simple. I can do it easily just looping the damn stick in there. Thank you for keeping it real!

Excellent instructional video

Great tips for a newbie. Thank you for the information. Been wondering the details of this technique for years.

We used a sling shot with a fishing weight to shoot an antenna line up into a tree or light post, so this might work for bear bags as well.

I'm an out of shape truck driver. I have a van I traveled in doing the vanlife thing but I started watching your videos and it really got me out there. I'm planning on finally returning to my hometown in crossville, tennessee and doing some section hiking with my dog. I'm currently in Colorado.

Cool! I like the PCT hang

Oooohhh that third one will be helpful. Thank you!

Casual drop of the KZfaq silver play award! 😄😂🤣 Love it! True Dixie style!

You are more popular than the mayor of a good sized town ... people actually WANT to hear you talk! Congratulations on the followings & award. Nice touch adding it to the video. I'm an experienced BPr and you just taught me two things. Thanks!

Thank you. This was the first time I had seen the third method. F-ing genius! In Michigan it is hard to find that perfect tree. Glad to have you for a teacher!

OMG I have been asking for this for so long!!

Appreciate the video. We had our first on trail bear encounter between Ensign Cowell and POGO during a recent AT SOBO section hike through Maryland.

SO helpful. Thanks 🙏🏻

Thanks Dixie. The third technique is helpful.

That's a hell of an arm you have throwing overhand up into a tree. Those little tent stake bags that come with the cheap tents make excellent rock bags.

Thank you Dixie 🙃⛺

good info Dixie thank you.

Thanks for this and the inspiration. Can't wait to hit the trail (everyone gets bored of me talking about the AT haha). Congrats on your 100k!

This will help our scout troop. Thank you!

Good advice. Thanks!

Thank you Dixie I totally appreciate the post I put it as my favorites so I don’t forget. The only way I knew how to hang it is the PCT type I like the in between the two trees method. God bless you. John

Most of my backpacking is in Colorado, so number 3 is perfect since all of our trees have dinky branches. Makes finding the right (pair of) trees super easy! Most of the people I know have never heard of the double tree method.

Nice video! That figure eight knot tip was a nice bonus!

Very very informative , thank you

Good stuff THANKS! Im growing inpatient for my thru-hike on AT March 25th 2019.

That is sooo hilarious the way you presented your award -that’s what you call being resourceful! Congrats! ...😉👍🏆

Just what I needed. Thanks!💜

That last method would have come in handy at least 3 time in this year of AT section hikes. It's a lot easier to find two trees close enough to string a bear line between than a tree with the perfect limb. I've become quite fond of night hiking and this is especially true when searching with a headlamp! I had a hell of a time at 10pm at the Fingerboard Shelter in NY this year and that shelter definitely has a problem bear!

The 100,000 Subscribers award was genius to throw in there, love that part! LOL Congrats!

Glad to know the third option of hanging a bear bag. Thanks!

Excellent! Thanks.

Many would also tie a clove hitch on the stick when using the PCT method. I like the third idea and definitely useful. During my AT thru this year I came up with a fourth method. Also congrats on the KZfaq play button!

good information, thanks for sharing.

I see you have a new KZfaq play button plaque congratulations on that young lady very subtle way of putting it into your video

That’s the cutest bear bag tutorial I’ve ever seen. Tricky at night too.

Haven't tried it yet, but Bryan DeLay has a pretty cool 2CR method: uses two cords and an O ring (or carabiner).

Woohoo! Love this video, because it highlights the bear bag I donated to you!!!

Nicely done!

Congratulations on your KZfaq subscribers award! 👏👏👏👏👏

Congrats on the play button, a tip to store the cord. When your headed back out, dump the rocks from the little bag and then feed the cord into the bag with the draw string pulled just tight enough to let the cord go in. Dont let the last part of the end go in the bag. It might take you a bit but when you go to get it out to hang again it will feed out like it is on a bobbin from the bag. I actually sewed up a bag myself with 2 comparents, one on either end of a small tube of fabric, it was just large enough to hold about 1 pound of rocks in each compartment, one side holds the cord while the other side can be stuffed with rocks. When I am out canoeing I use the same bag as a boat rope bag to be able to toss to another boat in trouble or use the cord to tie off when I take a break.

Thanks for helping. I'm going to the PCT on May 6

Thank you SO MUCH. Awesome!

i like them ways nice job .and nice way to weight down the bag .congrats .you are so awesome

Congrats on the award Dixie!

Thank you. I had been wondering about just this very thing.

Thanks for the lesson. I did not know the 2-Trees Method.

Eyyyy with the suprise plaque flex

Congratulations on your award, well deserved!

Congrats lil Lady. Well Done.

Thank you. I knew about the first method but not the 2nd and 3rd.