[pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings

Thu Mar 31 09:27:21 CDT 2011

Shroomer,

I have to correct your misconception about Kern. He did not fall off a log.
He was on a log laying over the Kern river but it didn't go all the way
across. At the end of the log he needed to jump to the river bank, but he
didn't feel he would make it with his pack on. So he took it off and tossed
it across the flowing water. It landed about 16 ins beyond the water line on
a flat part of the river bank. Inexplicably, however, it bounced directly
backwards into the water and was gone in an instant. I know this because I
drove Kern from Independence to Bishop and then back to Onion Valley several
days later and he went through the scenario in great detail. But you're
right about the outpouring of support from not only the hiker community but
also the companies that make much of our lightweight gear. He was back on
the trail within a week with a new pack full of brand new gear. Thanks to
Moa from New Zealand, he also got a new set of the PCT Atlas so he had no
navigation worries.

Even though the conventional wisdom is to loosen your pack straps, and that
is what I did, I always wondered whether it was the better option. I found a
loose pack very destabilizing and I believe increased my chances of falling
off the log many fold. I guess it all boils down to the conditional
probabilities of falling off the log with or without the straps loosened and
if you fall in the probabilities of surviving with and without the straps
loosened. It's an interesting math problem that I don't plan on any personal
experimentation to solve. To me the bottom line was don't fall in.

Peanut Eater

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Scott Williams
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 10:47 PM
To: dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com
Cc: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings

Yes, and unbuckle you hip and chest straps so you can get out of your pack
in a real knock down situation.  Your pack can easily drown you.  The Kern
fell off a log at the Kern River during the air evac of Half Oz, but was
able to get out of his pack and save himself.  He and Turbo had to hike 25
miles over the snow with only one set of gear to make it out, but they made
it, and The Kern didn't drown.  He was resupplied within several days in
Lone Pine with a tremendous outpouring of trail community support.  And of
course that's how he got his trail name.

But the gist of the story is to never cross a log, or a stream without
unbuckling your hip and chest straps.

Shroomer

On Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 9:35 PM, <dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com> wrote:

>
> It would be advisable to carry survival gear attached to your body such as
> a
> small hip pack or ditty bag in case you lose the pack in the river.  i.e.
> so
> you could hunker down at that trail location with a fire if things went
> bad.
> Particularly if solo.  Also, seems advisable not to cross the radical
spots
> solo if it can be avoided.
>
> A word of caution when walking across high logs, particularly to the young
> and bold.  I fell off one in Idaho 25+ years ago with a heavy pack and
> landed on my feet about 8 feet down. Permanent back and neck damage. Son
of
> bitch still hurts today. Wish I had a "do over" on that one. I would have
> waded the stream.
>
> Ps. Unbuckle your hip belt in case you fall down.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of ned at mountaineducation.org
> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 7:33 PM
> To: jamesfmiller at hotmail.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Cc: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings
>
> Do not use rope tied to yourself while crossing a nasty creek! If you fall
> in, it will only cause you to go further under and keep you there.
>
> A rope tied between two trees and held onto by hand for balance would be
> the
>
> only way we'd suggest the use of rope during a river or creek crossing.
>
> Learn how to avoid crossing while the flow is highest. Seek out the driest
> crossing upstream or downstream on rocks or logs or simply hopping the
> narrower tributaries that feed the main stream. Choose the shallowest
> crossing with the least whitewater and where you can see the creek bottom.
> Choose which way you want to cross, facing the opposite bank or facing
> upstream. Find a reliable way to have a "third leg," utilizing a long
stick
> or the use of your poles for balance. Decide what you're going to use to
> protect your feet while you're sliding along the creek bottom between
> granite rocks, sticks, and stones. Be prepared to change socks, at least,
> once on the other side. Figure out a way where your feet will be able to
> dry
>
> out in order to stay warm and dry once back on the snow.
>
> Leave the rope at home.
>
>
> "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: <jamesfmiller at hotmail.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 6:53 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings
>
>
> > I've pretty much settled in my head that the 'infamous' Sierra stream
> > crossings are absolutely the scariest part of our hike. Particularily
> > concidering the amou t of runoff that will be running off.
> >
> > Anyone ever carry a 30' 3/8" rope for safety?
> >
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