[pct-l] Stream crossings

[albert at survivalcrafters.com]

I wasn't sure either but I've got to quit watching those "I Survived" type
shows. I saw one the other night where they were walking on snow in a
crevasse prone area so they tied themselves together for protection.
Unfortunately the lead man did fall into one and dragged his friend to his
death. The lead man lived because his friend slowed his fall enough with his
ice axe before he went over the edge himself. 

Obviously not a realistic scenario for the PCT from the responses I've read
but I wanted to check to make sure. I'll probably carry 10 or 15 feet of it
like Kevin mentioned for around camp use and repairs.

Albert  



-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 3:41 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Stream crossings


On Jan 18, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> I've been wondering if anyone carries some of this paracord for snow 
> or stream help on thru-hikes.

I can't imagine what paracord would do for you in the snow. And I think it's
made it into the wisdom nowadays that using rope to cross a creek is not
safe.

I do pretty much what I think Ned says. I face toward the opposite bank and
make my way slowly across, using my trekking poles or a stick to brace
myself with the water. I don't point my sticks down stream, though, if
that's what he said (for some reason I'm not getting all the emails lately).
I point at least one of them up stream. If the water is cloudy, I use one
pole to search for deep pockets I could sink into or boulders that could
trip me while the other is helping hold me steady. If any creek is too
dangerous, I don't cross it. I chicken out, bail out, hop on the bus and
come back at a better time of year. Yep, I'm a big creek crossing WEENIE.

Same goes for snow. I'm not embarrassed to chicken out.

People like to ask about the dangerous snakes, lions and bears on the trail,
but really the most dangerous thing on the trail is water:  
liquid or frozen.

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