carry pack or hide it

[Neil]

When I leave my pack I take my food with me (not any more since I bought a cannister). I make sure all the pockets are left open in the hopes that any toothed or clawed forest denizens will merely poke their snout in the opening and not chew a hole. So far so good.

Then there's stashing your stuff at the LT you had and coming back to find it occupied. And you go looking for a new spot to camp in...

If I leave my stuff in a LT planning to return later and sleep I roll out my pad and bag staking claim.

If you leave your stuff in the LT but plan on exiting that day after the hike, and I've done this before, how would other people know that you will be vacating the spot they might be hoping to use? I guess you should somehow make it obvious that you'll be clearing out.