[pct-l] All these creek crossing suggestions

[Stephen]

I agree for the most part.  I don't like my pack slumping my shoulders down 
esspecially if I am using my poles.  But it all depends on how much weight 
is left in my pack, if Ineed to do some moves to get down off a bank or an 
obstrustion etc..  IfIneed tobe able to flex and bend, crouch down etc I'd 
loosen a little like when crossing tallus or climbing.  But for the most 
part, in knee deep fast water I'd probably have things baout like hiking 
mode as I don't like things too shifty, and I cut those stupid sternum 
restrictors off years ago.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 9:52 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] All these creek crossing suggestions


>
> On Feb 2, 2009, at 9:04 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>> I too am hesitant to believe the benefits of loosening all my
>> straps and undoing my sternum strap.  When i've done this in the
>> past, i feel 1000x less stable and more likely to fall.  On a knee-
>> deep crossing in WA, i was harshly chastised by some weekenders for
>> not loosening/unfastening.  They were really chewing me out for
>> it.  Being in thru-mode, i just half-smiled and never broke stride,
>> but i wish i could have explained to them:
>>
>> If the stream is so deep and swift that i'm not able, (after
>> thinking through the pack-release maneuver and practicing it), to
>> undo my pack upon falling in, then i'm not going to cross that
>> stream anyway.  If it's NOT tha deep and swift, i'm going to keep
>> myself as stable and balanced as possible, tyvm!
>>
>> Also, with due respect to the fine equestrian, i'm a little
>> confused about the physics of weight added to one's backpack being
>> of any help in KNEE-deep water.  I for one have never felt more
>> balanced or stable or strong when carrying a heavy expedition pack.
>>
>> Rebelliously yours,
>> markv
> I always kept my pack strapped, too. Maybe I would undo the sternum
> strap since it didn't make a lot of difference for me. As I
> understand it, loosening the straps was suggested back when straps
> used to take more effort to open. Since you can undo them with a
> single click, you are better off feeling stable as you cross than
> creating instability.
>
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