Safely crossing the creek at the SFSJ bridge, what about this method?
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I have done the JMT 11 times in the last 20 years.? The years 2011 and 2017 involved a lot of hiking on snow and high creek crossings.? I have crossed creeks that were up to my waist in water.
I also have taken 7 days of hiking safely on snow?courses from Ned Tibbits.? I came prepared on those two years to cross creeks in the following manner.
First, I brought along 500 pound deep sea super ultralight fishing line (made of the same fabric as bullet-proof vests/Ursack bear bags):? I don't have access to weigh the string now, but it was only a matter of a couple (to few) of ounces to have several hundred feet of it.
I figured if I came to a creek where the water was above the waist line, that one, we'd regroup as a group.? And should the water be too deep to cross over with your pack, that the best swimmer in the group would cross the creek with nothing but the deep sea fishing line (but have one person on the creek side behind you holding part of the line).? Once crossed over to the other side, secure the line to a 100% secure anchoring point (either a steel beam or tree or large boulder, and provided the line was slanted downhill from the starting side, one should be able to slide one's pack down the line to the other side of the creek.
Granted, I never had to go to this extent in the 11 times I did the JMT, I always wondered if this scheme could not get the job done safely.
I'd be curious?to hear from others what they think about this approach.
One has to know their knots 100% well.? I always liked the bowline although I heard the double bowline was even better.? Use this search to learn more:
One thing about this string, it works great as replacement tent guyline and as replacement boot string.? It is phenomenally strong, light, and ties well compared to nylon filament fishing line.
Roleigh ?
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Roleigh Martin