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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Also, I wonder about this idea in the time frame after mid-July. Not before such.? On Sat, Apr 22, 2023 at 7:58 PM Roleigh Martin <roleigh@...> wrote: Also it is often the case water levels in the high sierra are lowest in the early morning too. Twice I crossed in the early morning.? --
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Responding to the reply (in another forum) that SAR missions may happen with people trying to cross the water, I can also imagine there will be SAR missions dealing with people who are not adept at route backpacking on talus too. I figured, why not at least discuss a way to get a pack across water without it being carried manually? Yes, there is the risk of the pack falling into the water, but I figure that would be due to not knowing knots or having rope not strong enough. Yes, one needs to be able to get across the water without a pack in this scenario. Crossing water without a pack is a safer risk than crossing water with a pack.
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Ned TIbbits made a lot of good counterpoints about the above but on the Facebook 2023 JMT Hikers Forum.? I made my reply there, quote: "I agree with the comments made by?, but not only the ones he made above but also the ones he has made in person in his courses which I've taken plus online on other JMT forums. It makes me amend my query as follows. One, the rope I mention does not need to be attached to the swimmer. The rope could be tied to a cloth sack with a rock on it, and the rope could be thrown across the creek where the equipment pulled over arrangement is planned. Where the rope is crossed by throwing does not need to be where one swims or wades across, they could be a good distant apart. As mentioned by Ned in the past, one should consider traversing only at safe points. Sometimes the creek/river is hardly moving further upstream or further downstream. Crossing Bear Creek in the past, sometimes we would walk for a half hour up or downstream to find a safer crossing. If there is no safe crossing space, for sure do not attempt to cross where there is any concern you might drown or get injured by rock under the water. If you are comfortable cross country hiking, for sure take one of the alternative routes. Hopefully the park rangers will come up with a safe alternative where hikers are detoured to go to make it safely across. I brought up this thread because if it is not discussed and counterpointed, by experienced people like Ned, then those who consider something like I discussed might try it without being warned of the dangers (counterpoints). I have not ever done this, I've been fortunate in the 11 JMT hikes I've done to cross safely. I have had to wade up to waist high, but there was virtually no current where I crossed."
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Ned's comments are in the thread here (I requested quote permission from him):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2023jmt/posts/1663620644082370/
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I am quoting Ned's comments below.? Comments in brackets are mine:
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Quote (from Ned): "What we’re talking about, here, is trying to devise a “safe” or minimally risky way to wade a deep, fast moving, inclined, boulder-strewn crossing of a RIVER.
The South Fork of the San Joaquin River at this location and after the huge winter the region has had (hence the bridge being out) is no creek! No one should be attempting an immersion crossing of any River in the Sierra this year during the Thaw - with or without a pack on! Also, do not use ropes as high-lines held onto with one hand as they move and sway and give you a false sense of security. ?
If a waterway is steep, deep, wide, and full of wild whitewater, DO NOT CROSS! Turn around or search far upstream for a wide, calm, slow, shallow, smooth-bottomed location where you can cross within your skill set!
Even if a high-line could be set up to ferry equipment across, everyone still has to get in the River. This is not a safe crossing method that I’ve ever taught or endorsed. ?
Lisa [who asked a question about crossing near MTR], people do not appreciate the force of water until they’ve been pushed by a wave at the beach. Then, suddenly, they realize it has weight and force and is an entity to be respected!
All it takes is a trip, stumble, misplaced pole-plant, slight pain, or just an eddy in the current to knock you over in a waist deep current and now you’re struggling for your life. Just because some noted and published person did it with apparent ease and confidence doesn’t mean it’s a foolproof and safe method for all.
Thigh-deep is my max depth. If a crossing has a channel that’s deeper than that, I’m looking upstream for a different site. Any waterway that runs across your path that drains thousands of mountaintop acres miles away and a few thousand feet higher in elevation than where you are right now, I hold in high regard, with extreme respect, and probably won’t cross until all the odds are stacked in my favor. ?
Lisa [who asked another question about it possibly being safer later in the summer and then near MTR], yes and only then! I have waded across the SFSJ River at the MTR to get to the hot spring on the other side, but only when the water was as deep as my leather boots were tall!""
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Roleigh Martin