[pct-l] Sarah Bishop stream crossing

[kmurray at pol.net]

I thought that this analysis of Sarah Bishop's death was on point.
====================
TraditionalMountaineering is founded on the premise that "He who knows
naught, knows not that he knows naught", that exploring the hills and
summitting peaks have dangers that are hidden to the un-informed and that
these inherent risks can be in part identified and mitigated by
information, training, interesting gear and knowledge gained through the
experiences of others. Who are your Mentors?

Let us Honor this young woman, Sarah Bishop, by helping others learn from
her tragic death.

Sarah chose to travel alone. Hiking and climbing Solo is not
irresponsible. However, Risk is mitigated in part, by traveling with
others.

Sarah Bishop certainly chose not to follow traditional mountaineering risk
management techniques when she tried to cross the swollen river with a 65
pound backpack (if that is actually what her backpack weighed). Backpacks
today weigh 35 to 45 pounds. 65 pounds is a crushing unwieldy weight.
Also, a traditional mountaineering technique calls for un-clipping the
backpack waist belt and loosening the shoulder straps while crossing a
strong river current.

Sarah chose not to camp in the rain near the trail-crossing at the side of
the raging Sandy river. She was just a half hour from her vehicle. A
traditional mountaineering technique calls for waiting until the high
river flow subsides, perhaps overnight for snow melt in the Sierras,
certainly until a summer storm runs off. Traditional mountaineering
technique calls for waiting to cross a deep strong stream with others, arm
in arm.