[pct-l] [John Muir Trail] Donahue 07/02/11

Tue Jul 5 18:50:59 CDT 2011

While crossing creeks, especially when you can't see where your feet are because of the whitewater, it is easier to move your feet forward (in the direction of travel) if you are facing forward. Coincidently, the narrow side of your body is facing the current giving it less pressure to push you over. 

If you are using an acquired stick of suitable strength and diameter to use as a "third leg," it is held by both hands, placed across your body, and plunged into the water downstream of your feet a considerable distance (about 3 feet). This would be sort of like if you were standing on a surfboard and paddling it forward. Always have at least a 2-point contact with the streambed.

If you are using your hiking poles, extend them as long as you can so you can remain erect while crossing the creek, one in each hand and plunged into the creek ahead and wide of you to give you as broad a base of support as you can. Always have at least a 3-point contact with the streambed for balance against the current. 

Crossing sideways with poles upstream ahead of you and side-stepping your way across is assuming that you can guarantee that you can maintain pressure against those poles in order to keep that 3-point stance for balance. Currents vary and sometimes come at you in pulses; if your legs receive an impulse wave, will you be able to counter it well enough to stay balanced or just be pushed over and washed away?

Crossing in groups is also a good idea for balance and safety as you move together in a unit, holding onto each other.

"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: Hikes and Bikes 
  To: ned at mountaineducation.org 
  Cc: PCT-L Backcountry 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 4:36 PM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] [John Muir Trail] Donahue 07/02/11

        "Solo crossings should always utilize both poles downstream of your body (which is facing the way your are going) for resistance against the current's force to push you that way."

        Ned I'm having trouble visualizing the above .   If your body is facing where you want to go, then how are both poles downstream.  Are they in the same hand or behind you?

        Thanks.

        --- On Tue, 7/5/11, ned at mountaineducation.org <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

          From: ned at mountaineducation.org <ned at mountaineducation.org>
          Subject: Re: [pct-l] [John Muir Trail] Donahue 07/02/11
          To: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com, "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
          Cc: TheTahoeRimTrail at yahoogroups.com
          Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 12:12 PM

          Snow doesn't mean "you can't get through." It just means at this time of year that you need to slow down and ever-mindful of your traction, balance, foot placement, and route (got to look up and around once in a while!).

          The pictures in Erin's Picasa album show above-8,000 foot conditions typical of right now all along the Sierra crest, and most of these were taken above timberline (down in the trees either you still have lots of snow or nothing, depending on elevation, aspect, and exposure). The suncups are getting bigger and more slippery, too!

          Again, plan your nights below snowline if you're not prepared for snow-camping and get over the passes before the afternoon post-holing starts!

          Her pictures of the creek-crossings are frightening! The group crossing showed everyone crossing independently of each other (not the best). When you're able to cross in a group, utilize one or two others to cross with you for support. Link arms-behind-backs and synchronize movements to help each other get across safely. Your feet will go numb because of the cold. 

          Wear foot protection to prevent injury-reactions like stumbling and loss of balance should you stub your toe into a rock or step on something abrasive or sharp under water. Keep in mind that the whitewater may prevent you from visualizing where to place your feet while crossing, so expect to "hunt-and-seek" with your feet to find good places for each foot placement.

          Solo crossings should always utilize both poles downstream of your body (which is facing the way your are going) for resistance against the current's force to push you that way. Some people who don't use two hiking poles, find sturdy branches on the forest floor to help them in this way. Within seconds of immersion into a creek surrounded by snow, your feet will feel extremely cold and then go numb. Just get across safely. Although you don't want to take your time focusing on balance and secure footing because of this, do it. The consequences of a hasty crossing could be total immersion after a fall, the loss of all your have, and the sudden realization that you could loose your life and drown as the current (although only two or three feet deep) pushes you around and under a log or branch downstream. Plan for shorter days if you see on the map long-canyon creek crossings on any given day to allow for the searching of dry and safe crossings.

          This is not a normal summer out there, folks! Those of us who are out on the trail bringing back trail condition reports don't have to dramatize what we see to make our points, the creeks are nasty below snowline, the trail may have drifts across it to the depths of one to 6 feet between 7,500 and 8,000, the creek crossings in this altitude band may still have snow bridges (got to search them out if in the trees), and the snow should be solid above 8,000 depending on aspect, trees, wind, and exposure. www.mountaineducation.org has a series of pictures showing the PCT/TRT right now at these elevations and aspects. Go forewarned and prepared. Slow down and expect delays, localized struggles over obstacles like creeks, suncups, and blow-down, and increased appetite if you're out for more than a week. 

          "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

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