[pct-l] Stream crossing- a different approach

[Edward Anderson]

I still remember vividly being faced by a intimidating rushing stream to cross 
during a late 1950's solo hike in the Sierras.  I was a skinny guy carrying 
about 45 pounds in my Kelty pack. (I had one of the first Keltys that I had 
purchased from him while he was still working out of his garage in 
Glendale during the early 1950's). 

     The water was only about two feet deep, but very swift. From what I could 
see of it the bottom looked fairly smooth. The force of the current would 
obviously sweep me off my feet.  So, after thinking it over, I decided to reduce 
the drag be removing my pants - my skinny legs would offer less resistance.  
Then I undid the belt on the pack and moved the shoulder straps further outboard 
so that I could dump it if necessary and tossed my ice axe to the other side of 
the creek. Then, to increase my weight, I carried a fairly heavy boulder (about 
50 pounds) in my arms to increase my weight and hold me down. against the force 
of the current.  I was ready to dump both pack and boulder if necessary.  This 
strategy worked fine as I slowly worked my way across.
MendoRider



________________________________
From: Melanie Clarke <melaniekclarke at gmail.com>
To: Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com>
Cc: Pacific Crest Trail List <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sun, November 14, 2010 8:59:05 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] stream crossing practice

Dear PCT,

Don't EVER fight the current!  Move sideways, perpendicular to the current
or in really swift water just angle yourself to the side.  I'm a strong
swimmer but I know water is always stronger so you just have to work with
the flow and not panic.

The Narrows at Zion is pretty tame, you may want to practice on swifter
water than that.  I had all 5 of my kids hike the Narrows for about 4 miles
in, including my son, who has a heart disability, and he was only 10 years
old at the time.

Melanie

On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 2:59 PM, Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com> wrote:

> Great idea, and what a gorgeous and fun place to do it.  Zion is magical.
>
> Shroomer
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