Gear.006: How to tie the perfect knot for your Ursack!

[@20Hikecdt23]

Thanks. I’ll use this. Leaving for CDT today.

[@rkatrails]

Thank you for clarifying that after you make both slip knot loops and you insert one inside the other, you shouldn't insert the loop past the knot. The video that Ursack produced wasn't clear about that. You made this very easy to understand.

[@HikeOverTheHill]

@@rkatrails Thank you, I'm glad it helped!

[@flutingaround]

you are an excellent instructor!

[@HikeOverTheHill]

Thank you kindly!

[@flutingaround]

​@@HikeOverTheHillI was practicing this today and I had trouble getting the cordage tight enough around the tree. Did you happen to make a video yet that shows how to attach it properly to a tree?

[@HikeOverTheHill]

@@flutingaround See "Gear.008". But I still need to make a better video on a better tree!

[@flutingaround]

@@HikeOverTheHill thank u!

[@michelleobrien6244]

This video is great, thank you for doing it!

[@sidx32]

Ive watched the official Ursack video on this setup. I like this one better as it explains the end of the knot that needs to slide. The other video did not and my open ends were sliding. With this further explaination this is the knot I will go with.

[@DanSmith-sq9qp]

great explanation. Thanks

[@hike-bike-paddle-and-drone]

I like this version compared to the figure 8 knot method. So much easier to have the knots and caribiner ready to go than to try tying the figure 8 knot at the tree. I am going to use a heavy duty locking biner though. Thanks for the great video. I will try to look at some of your later vids if you have them. I work in Rochester, NY BTW Jeff

[@jasonzeone1334]

Good video. I'm using an ursack for the Colorado Trail this year

[@HikeOverTheHill]

Thanks Jason! I wish I had better lighting and camera angle, but I guess I got the point across. Good luck on the CT!

[@sjoetje77]

That was clear! 🎉

[@HikeOverTheHill]

Thanks!

[@Dr.Pepper_not]

This is what I did, but it’s difficult to get the loops to pass through each other near the last steps so can get tighter rather than have more slack in loop around the tree. Hence the question. After bag closed with surgeon’s knot, wrap the rope around the tree and note where the two lines cross. Pinch one rope to mark where crosses with eg your left hand (bag to your left). Loop free end of rope and fold over towards left and grab through loop (making a marlin spike) exactly where your left fingers are marking so that “mark” becomes tip of new loop you’ve pulled through (tighten). Hold up to tree again to measure where tip of this loop crosses other line and “mark” other side of line with fingers and repeat pulling that through to make the tip of the loop on other side**. Now wrapping around the tree the two loops will just touch . If you now were to lengthen the loops you are actually making them further apart from touching around the tree so cannot get to go through each other so takes some fiddling. (Hope makes sense as easier to show than describe). ** So... on the second loop grab a half inch further from where you marked to give just a bit more slack to be able pull a loop through the other.

[@HikeOverTheHill]

While I was home last week I had my wife shoot some video of me tying my Ursack around a couple of trees in our yard, so I will edit and upload that as soon as I can! Might be a few days though because I'm back on the trail now.

[@Dr.Pepper_not]

Like Jan below I’d be interested to watch this with additional video at end tied around an actual tree (or for filming: a post). As the “slip” part is pulling tighter FROM the bag it is hard to judge length when going around the tree. Easy to tie loose with slack (not good for bears). Hard to get right with LITTLE slack. Can you post another one so we can watch this in ‘action’? Easy to do at home not going around anything. Not so easy in the field around an actual tree. Worth the hassle though at night so easier to release in morning.

[@HikeOverTheHill]

I will be shooting a tree-tying video in the next few days so stay tuned!

[@HikeOverTheHill]

As for "slack" in the cord, you will never be able to get it "tight" around the tree, at least not using this method. But you don't need to - you just need to have it secured above a branch so it can't slide down to the ground.

[@jangilliam8450]

Please attach the video about going around a tree. Does it not have to be tight around the tree? How do you tighten around the tree?

[@HikeOverTheHill]

Hi Jan. I haven't had a chance yet to shoot a video of me trying it to a tree, but I will try to do that when I'm home in 2 weeks! In the meantime, no, it doesn't have to be tight around the tree. Just be sure there's a branch above which you can attach the cords, so that the Ursack can't be slid down the trunk of the tree.

[@jangilliam8450]

Thank you. I’m going to try this next week. I like how it pulls apart so easy when you take it down.

[@HikeOverTheHill]

@@jangilliam8450 Yes, it's the easiest way I've found to secure my Ursack to a tree. So far no critters have attempted to get at my food!

[@traciern72]

I have seen people twist the bag a couple times if it appears a little loose after attaching. 😊