[pct-l] Regarding Creek Crossings

[ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com]

The question has come up regarding how to cross creeks safely and, in this case, minimize the "wet feet" time afterward.

Creek Crossing Principles: 

1. You do not have to cross the creek where the trail does.
2. Look for dry, above water crossings first (naturally!).
3. Select a wet crossing route that is calm, shallow, has a good footing, and no bad run-out (rapids, rocks, etc..)
4. The creek will be lower in the mornings where fed by snow melt above.
5. The creek may be narrower and easier to cross uphill of you, so go check it out.
6. Always probe ahead when crossing on snow bridges.
7. Keep as much of your clothes dry as possible; strip to shorts if needed. Float your pack in a bag if necessary.
8. Do not hurry. It will be cold, even freezing, but don't be hasty as you cross, especially with unsure footing.
9. Prepare for a quick re-warming on the other side and a change of clothes as needed.
10. Multi-person crossings can be safer.

Safety is your primary concern:
    -Route & Technique:

        -Above Water:
            -Choose a route where you can walk or crawl across a log.
            -Select a path where you can rock-hop from one to another to get across. Beware of potentially slippery
                surfaces (snow, ice, moss, little rocks on big ones, glacial polish, and wet rock in general. Grab 
                bushes and branches as you go for balance.

        -In The Water:
            -Protect your Balance before you start across:
                -Choose a path that offers the best visible underwater footing, say on sand or gravel instead of rocks.
                    If you can't see the footing because of rapids, search the creek uphill for calmer waters.
                -Use a long, strong pole, walking sticks, or branch as a "third leg" downstream. Learn how to use it to                     keep you from falling. If you use your walking sticks, make sure the extension locks are tight; a                         sudden collapse may mean you'll be swimming. It is advisable to use both together for their                                 combined strength.
                -Cross in groups, arm-in-arm, perpendicular to the current, each person helping each other's balance.
                -Assure that you have optimal traction and predictable stability while crossing:
                    -Whenever possible, wear some form of footwear that will protect your feet from sharp submerged                                 objects while able to maximize traction and adherence to the slippery rocks that live there. Often                         you will not be able to see where you are hoping to place your next step, so you will "feel" ahead                         for a good place to set your foot. Sometimes that place will be in a wedge or crevice between two                         rocks. In this case you may wish you were wearing a shoe with a hard, stiff rubber sole so you                             can straddle the wedge without twisting the ankle and losing your balance or experiencing the                             pain of your foot being squished between the two rocks and needing to make a fast next step to                         get out of it, sometimes to a place that was no better or even worse.
                -Loosen pack belt and shoulder straps. Should you loose your balance and fall, you don't want your
                    pack's weight to drag you under.

        -Snow Bridges:
            -Never assume they can hold your weight. Always visualize both sides of the bridge for thickness and ice.
            -Always probe ahead for strength and thickness. 
                You will need greater and thicker if you are "posting" in boots versus walking on snowshoes or skis.
            -Before crossing be aware of what it will take to get out of the water should you fall through.
            -Always be ready to make camp and dry out if you survive even partial immersion in winter conditions.
                
        -After Crossing:
            -On Snow, immediately put on warm, dry socks and your dry hiking boots. If you had to strip to shorts to
                make the crossing, get out of any and all wet clothing and replace with warm and dry. Your legs will                     probably be numb and you freezing. It is not advisable to try to dry out your clothes on your                                body while hiking thereafter. Do not take a chance on hypothermia. Keep your boots dry. Should you 
                suffer full or partial immersion in snow-fed waters surrounded by more snow, but with sunny, dry ground
                or rocks nearby, and you still have your pack, quickly scramble to them and change clothes. If the                     weather is cold and cloudy, make camp and warm up until dry.

            -On Dry Trail and with summer temperatures, it is advisable to keep your hiking footwear on while crossing
                the creek (as it is relatively easy to cut or injure your feet when you do a bare-foot crossing), then walk                 the boots dry the rest of the afternoon.. The next option is to change to dry socks after crossing and                     walk the boots dry. The last option is to carry some form of additional footwear just for creek crossings.
                Those we have seen along the trail have been very lightweight, flexible foam versions that may or may 
                not give you the foot protection and stability required to make safe and predictable crossings on all 
                expected underwater surfaces. Whatever you use, make sure they stay on; loosing a shoe while 
                crossing can be dangerous, too, besides embarrassing and trip-ending (although humorous)!

Mtnned