Bushwalk Australia

Hi all,
Wondering about the best method for leaving a food drop near Junction Creek.
What do you put your food in?
Do you hang it from trees?
If so, how do you secure it?
Had a few encounters with some friendly (cough, splutter %$$$^# ...) little possums down there in the past.
Prefer not to feed the natives this time around!
Is there anything else I need to know????
Cheers, Melinda

I've left food drops at Junction Ck (many years ago - when there was shelter there - the food was in a bag hanging up in the shelter) and at Pass Ck and near Huon Camp. At Huon Camp - one time, we just had a few tins of food - for when we finished a trip and had to catch the bus out the next day - so they were OK. They were in a plastic bag hidden in a thicket of scrub a short way off the track - and a fair way from the camp ground. Another 2 times we left a lot of food there - enough for W and E Arthurs - again in strong plastic bags hidden in the scrub - with rocks pilled on top. We then headed off to Mt Anne. When we came back - all the food was OK, on each occasion. At Pass Ck, there was a rope tied between trees in the campground. We used this - tying up our bag of food - and again it was OK when we returned a few days later.

Dave

If you can get some large coffee or milo tins, the 30cm high ones that caterers use, they hold 2 days food for 1 person. They are light, possum proof, water proof, insect proof, and can be stashed under a bush or tussock easily. Keep a note of where the tussock is, maybe take a photo of the spot. There are stories of food caches being pilfered, so hide them well. Write a date on them too.

Thanks myrtlegirl and Dave,
Wouldn't like the possums to get the chocolate!
Melinda

Do not pack the fuel in the same tin wih food.

Hi wander,
Excuse my ignorance. What happens when you pack food and gas together????

Canister gas is fine Shellite, and its fumes can get through everything and taint food, i'd also avoid packing things such as insect repelants in the same container.
With such a popular campsite, rodents around, the metal container could be good advice.

I have used a metal tin like the Coffee or Milo tins that were suggested - A tin or container pre supposes that you will be walking out the same way - I have photos from the 1970s of Rubbish dumps in the Western Arthurs from the days when Air Drops were allowed. As well as putting a date on the tin include something like "If you find this unused after (date) help yourself". Put the date say 2 or 4 weeks after you plan to retrieve the drop - Sometimes plans change

Not walking out the same way.
Have to say I'd prefer not to be carrying empty tins across Eastern Arthurs!
So tins are probably out.
Melinda

a few hungry jacks straws rubbed with dencorub threaded on brickies line between trees for tiny "friends", with a camo drybag for subtlety? maybe you could set it hidden near-by-ish just off the track say within 10-30mins before camp? - haven't been there though... the drybag can be used as a rubbish bag after etc too.. keep track of gps co-ords etc.... like the rock idea but not best practice in minimising impact to collect rocks sometimes..again might be ok here??

let us know what u do ?

My experience is bags are destryed by crittters.

I'd use a set of 2 or 3 2litre nalgene containers. Re-usable, not too heavy and replace the need in my pack for the drybag I would carry the food in anyhow. As one gets empty it becomes the rubbish bin. And i drop out one of the wate balddres knowing I'd have a spare 2litre nalgene to use for this purpose later.

I think the paint tin is probably lighter than Nalgenes. I just weighed an empty ten litre tin with handle attached, and it was about 660g. I can fit 12-16 days of food in a 15L tin, so probably 8-10 in a 10L. Coffee and Milo tins should be lighter, but not as tough, and maybe a little harder to come by. Any big paint shop, not hardware though, should be able to sell you one for under $10. Make sure you get the one for water-based paint, as they are less likely to rust than the ones for oil-based.

As well as food storage, you can use the lid as a stove base, and the drum as a seat or table.

As well as food storage, you can use the lid as a stove base, and the drum as a seat or table.

In line with light weight philosophy, ever item has to have a duel purpose!
Loving every ones suggestions.

what about stitching a pocket up out of the security mesh they use in windows? not the flimsy fly screen stuff the stronger stuff - it might be "tooth-proof"? hmmmm i can see some possum feedin tests in my future maybe....