[pct-l] Stream crossings

Tue Jan 18 09:33:52 CST 2011

I prefer to use both hiking poles for stability when crossing swift streams.  I use one upstream and the other downstream while my body is parallel to the flow for least resistsnce.  Two poles allow me to have three points on terra firma at all times.  A tripod is more stable than a mono or bipod. 

The Incredible Bulk

On Jan 18, 2011, at 6:40 AM, CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net> wrote:

> 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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