Risk of theft in backcountry

[jms703]

What are your thoughts on the risk of gear theft in the backcountry? Say I wanted to camp in the same spot for 2 nights. I was hoping to leave my tent setup and go for a day hike. Is there a risk of coming back to no tent, sleeping bag, pad, pack, etc? Better yet, has this happened to someone?

[Wickett]

I leave my stuff all the time. I have not had an experience of stuff getting stolen but I am sure that it has happened. I keep all of my more valuable stuff out of sight, no need to draw in people with easily taken gear laying around.

[AlmostThere]

In Yosemite, if you are two nights away from the road/trailhead, no worries.

I have heard of tents/gear being stolen in Little Yosemite Valley, but that is not backcountry - tourists show up there all the time. I take care in Backpacker campgrounds in Yosemite not to leave valuables around. Once on the trail and beyond a typical tourist's day hike, I don't worry at all.

[sierranomad]

Neither have I ever had a problem. I too, take or hide valuables that are small enough to be taken (i.e. camera).

I like to think that there's a camaraderie and respect in the backcountry that makes people more honest. Additionally, though, a backpacker is not going to be anxious to carry additional weight, making your tent or sleeping bag less appealing.

[bill-e-g]

Never had any issues. I wouldn't worry about it.

If someone was asinine enough to steal someones bag or tent
they are pretty darn stupid since they would be possibly
putting someone's life in danger.

[balzaccom]

I agree, Bill. We've left our campsite to go on a day hike many times, and never gave it a second thought.

But there's another situation: leaving the packs on the trail while we go climb a peak or something. IN this case, we'll move the packs off the trail so they are not so obvious---and we remove our food and store it away from our packs. It's more of a defense against animals than humans.

[jeremy1701]

It's more of a defense against animals than humans.

^ This.

I've hiked in quite a few places and never felt the need to protect my stuff from anything more then animals. Last time I was in Yosemite, we left our stuff at LYV for a day hike and never even thought twice about theft (from humans).

I don't think theft is a real cause for concern... Anyone that takes your stuff is, after all, going to have to carry it out!

[jms703]

Thanks for all the replies. Our stuff was left undisturbed as we had hoped.