[pct-l] Stream crossings and rope
ned at mountaineducation.org
ned at mountaineducation.org
Wed Jan 19 00:11:06 CST 2011
Parachute cord, or any other kind of rope anchor to a fixed object on the
bank of a swiftwater stream to aid in crossing is a fatal mistake. If you
loose your balance and fall under, hanging onto the rope will only take you
further under. Not a good idea. Consult your local swiftwater rescue
personnel in your area for more info on this.
"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: "Kevin" <hikelite at gmail.com>
To: <albert at survivalcrafters.com>
Cc: <ned at mountaineducation.org>; "Bruce 'Buck' Nelson" <buck at bucktrack.com>;
"PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 11:12 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Stream crossings
I'm not sure how useful 50' of 550 paracord would be at a stream crossing. I
doubt it would stop a hiker with a pack being swept downstream. Maybe. Ned
may know.
It is useful for other things though. Hanging food, shoelace, pack repair,
lots of things. If your rendering if you should carry some, the answer is
yes. Carry some sort of cord. I won't have 550 paracord myself, but I'll
have extra cord. If for no other reason then I like knots and like to
practice tiring them in my downtime.
See you on the trail!
Misspellings and typos brought to you by iPhone.
On Jan 18, 2011, at 12:02 AM, <albert at survivalcrafters.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have kind of a side-question related to this. In most information I read
> about survival kits in general they almost always have 50' of 550 paracord
> listed as an essential item. These are mainly 72 hour type Bug-Out-Kits
> but
> I've been wondering if anyone carries some of this paracord for snow or
> stream help on thru-hikes.
>
> I checked a couple of sites and the cord is cheap but they don't tell how
> many ozs or grams 50' weighs.
>
> Albert
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of ned at mountaineducation.org
> Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 8:21 PM
> To: Bruce 'Buck' Nelson
> Cc: PCT MailingList
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Stream crossings
>
> 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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