[pct-l] Stream crossings and rope

Wed Jan 19 00:35:24 CST 2011

True. But a line tied to a tree at each bank makes a nice handrail for the less comfortable hikers in the group. This requires someone to set it up and take it down without the benefit of the line. I've used this with scout groups.

AsABat
PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
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ned at mountaineducation.org wrote:

>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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