[pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings

[frooger1 at comcast.net]

You all should go on line and read about swift water body recovery. It's better to wait for the water to go down. There are some very good web sights that talk about swift water crossings. Risk is up to each individul.    
----- Original Message ----- 
From: mikepinkus at hotmail.com 
To: "Carl Siechert" <carlito at gmail.com>, pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net, pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 9:21:59 PM 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings 

Hey All, 
Do like we did in the Army. Use a garbage bag for your pack liner and tie it up. We used to 'float' our packs this way and they were HEAVY. 

Just my thoughts. 

Cheers, 
Mike 
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Carl Siechert <carlito at gmail.com> 
Sender: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net 
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:42:10 
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rope for spring stream crossings 

I think the unbuckle-for-crossings advice was a lot more appropriate back 
when we stupidly carried packs weighing 60 pounds or more. That's obviously 
enough of an anchor to drag you under, and because it takes so much inertia 
to move a pack that size, you didn't have to worry as much about it throwing 
you off balance. The force is always downward; lateral forces are pretty 
hard to get going. 

Conversely, an unsecured sub-20 pound pack swings about at the slightest 
breeze, which could be just enough to tip you over. For stability then, I 
think you're better off when you're loosely buckled in. If you do go for a 
swim, it's not as much of a concern because a lightweight pack won't push 
you under as quickly, giving you a moment or two to decide whether to 
unbuckle and ditch the pack or rely on its flotation ability. 

Carl 
1977 PCT Kelty Kid 

P.S. Big, old-school packs aren't all bad. About 10 years ago, we were 
crossing the S Fork San Joaquin River at Muir Trail Ranch, having dropped 
down from Mosquito Pass. My wife lost her footing and was swept away. With a 
surge of adrenaline (and apparently unhindered by the 50 pounds on my back), 
I ran to her and grabbed the top crossbar of her Jansport pack; you can't do 
that with today's weenie UL packs! With one hand, I lifted her out of the 
water and onto her feet. Our buddy Norm, who had already crossed and removed 
his pack, plunged back across and--after she caught her breath and regained 
her footing--took her pack so she could finish the crossing unladen. 
Exciting times. 
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