[pct-l] Stream crossings

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good morning, All,

It’s probably clear that Ned and I disagree on almost everything:  He’s a
“heavy” and I’m an ultra-lite; he advocates tall, heavy boots while I wear
sneakers; he uses a stove inside a tent but I never do, etc.  That’s why I
use the term “bookends” to describe our philosophies.

The technique of using poles when fording a stream is another example:  He
advocates placing the pole downstream while I recommend placing it upstream.
A more complete description can be found at
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=265511 plus there is supporting
information at  http://www.equipped.org/fm3-0570.htm in Chapter-17, Items 9
thru 11.



Years ago when I first viewed the fording scene in Squatch’s great video my
first reaction was, “This guy’s doing it bass-ackwards.”



Differences in opinion are common in every direction.  Each hiker should
gather information to make intelligent, well-reasoned decisions for
him/herself.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 8:21 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> Hi, Bruce!
>
> This subject comes up every year and we are happy to talk about why we do
> what we do.
>
> As you may know, we teach Wilderness Skills, mostly Snow Safety Skills, so
> that hikers need not be afraid of it. We also teach summer skills like
> crossing swollen creeks. Squatch has even captured us doing just this on DVD
> ('06?) in a creek just north of Kennedy Meadows!
>
> Facing the opposite bank allows us to minimize the amount of our body that
> is pummeled by the torrent, to seek foot placements we can see and feel in a
> natural manner moving forward, to easily select a route across, and to use a
> long branch or walking stick as a "third foot" immediately downstream for
> balance. I believe we have some of our own video shot last Spring of us
> doing just this along the PCT north of Mt. Whitney. We're still trying to
> get all of this footage onto our new and future website for the school...
>
>
>
> "Just remember, Be Careful out there!"
>
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> 1106A Ski Run Blvd
> South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
>    P: 888-996-8333
>    F: 530-541-1456
>    C: 530-721-1551
>    http://www.mountaineducation.org
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Bruce 'Buck' Nelson
>  To: ned at mountaineducation.org
>  Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 5:13 AM
>  Subject: Re: Stream crossings
>
>
>  Hi Ned,
>
>  Very good.  The "topic within the topic" I'm interested in is why you
> folks face the opposite bank when crossing solo, rather than facing upstream
> which is what's usually taught.
>
>  I've actually got a lot of experience crossing tough spots, on the PCT and
> in Alaska (I live in Fairbanks) and elsewhere. I face the opposite bank
> also, and I've got my theory as to why it works best for me. What are your
> reasons?
>
>  No need to cover the whole stream crossing topic if you'd be so kind as to
> give me your theories on the this one facet.
>
>  I hope the course goes well today. There are a lot of close calls on the
> PCT, I saw some myself last year!
>
>  Thanks Ned!
>
>  Buck
>
>
>  On Thu, Jan 6, 2011 at 6:44 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:
>
>    Hi, Buck!
>
>    You can watch the way we teach it on one of Squatch's "Walking" videos
> from the trail taken in 2006 out of KM, or I can just tell you that we
> encourage group crossings, but if that is not possible, and you've ruled out
> all the "better and dryer" ways to cross, use your poles together as a
> "third leg" downstream and face the way you're going.
>
>    There is so much to tell on this subject and I do not have the time
> right now, but remind me to get back to you as we are teaching another of
> our Snow Skills Courses starting tomorrow and have to go pack up!
>
>
>    "Just remember, Be Careful out there!"
>
>    Ned Tibbits, Director
>    Mountain Education
>    1106A Ski Run Blvd
>    South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
>        P: 888-996-8333
>        F: 530-541-1456
>        C: 530-721-1551
>        http://www.mountaineducation.org
>      ----- Original Message -----
>      From: Bruce 'Buck' Nelson
>      To: Info at mountaineducation.org
>      Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 5:04 PM
>      Subject: Stream crossings
>
>
>      Hi,
>
>      I've asked many people about their stream crossing techniques, and
> have read quite a bit of advice from experts. People tend to agree on most
> of the basics, like finding the easiest crossing point, considering the
> consequences if you fall, etc.
>
>      I'm curious what you advise as to which direction a solo hiker should
> face in relation to the current, all things being equal. Or, which is
> better, facing upstream or toward the opposite bank.
>
>      I've actually got a lot of experience,  but I do some things
> differently than others and I'm trying to figure out if I should change my
> ways!
>
>      Thanks!
>
>      Bruce aka Buck, Trail name: Colter
>
>      --
>      www.bucktrack.com
>
>
>
>
>  --
>  www.bucktrack.com
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