River Crossings

 

SKILLS

“Only the man who crosses the river at night knows the value of the light of day.”

- Chinese Proverb

Knowing where and how to cross a fast flowing river is one of the most important backcountry skills that a hiker can acquire. The potential consequences of an error in judgement can be very serious, thus any time spent honing the knowledge and practicing the techniques required, represents a good investment in your own safety.

Let’s break the process down into four steps:

  • Where to cross?c_3
  • Preparation for Crossing.
  • Techniques for Crossing.
  • What to do in a worst case scenario.

WHERE TO CROSS?

Far too often people rush into the water without giving much thought to what they are doing. Often the ideal place to cross is not where the trail meets the river. Take time to assess your options.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

  • Swiftness & Depth:  If the river is fast flowing and above knee depth than it is potentially dangerous.  If it is thigh-height or above and fast flowing, then it may be a good idea to rethink your crossing and either look elsewhere or make camp and try again the following day. Note that in glacial areas, it is usually easier to cross rivers early in the morning, as progressively warmer temperatures will mean that water levels rise throughout the day.
  • Width: Generally speaking, look for a spot that is wide and shallow/braided, with feasible points at which to both enter and exit the water (ie. avoid high banks).
  • Run-out: If the crossing is a difficult one, investigate where the river is heading in case of a fall. Avoid crossing anywhere that the run-out leads to dangerous rapids or waterfalls.
  • Character of Riverbed: Riverbeds are uneven. Before crossing assess the riverbed for potential snags and holes. If the water is surging, murky and full of large debris, then either bide your time or look for an alternative crossing. Be patient. Water levels can drop as dramatically as they rise.

PREPARATION FOR CROSSING

  • Protection: In addition to your pack liner, it is a good idea to have all of your electronics, feather down products (eg. sleeping bag) and any other valuables safely stored in sealable plastic or “dry” (waterproof) bags.
  • Unbuckle: Unbuckle your sternum strap and hip belt. Slightly loosen your shoulder straps. Not too much, as this could add to instability. If a fall occurs, you need to be able to either quickly release your pack or hold it against your chest for buoyancy purposes. The one place you do not want it is against your back, where it will act as a weight in dragging you down.
  • Keep Your Shoes On: If the crossing is a difficult one, keep your shoes on. Wet feet are a small price to pay for the added protection, traction and stability that shoes/boots can offer.

TECHNIQUE FOR CROSSING

THE TRIPOD METHOD

A third leg, in the form of a hiking pole or a long and sturdy stick, can be of great assistance in aiding balance and stability during a difficult river crossing.

  • Enter the water at a slight angle facing upstream. Use your pole for stability. Grip it with both hands.
  • Bend at the knees and lean slightly forward into the oncoming water. Your pole/stick is directly in front of you. Think of a sumo wrestler trying to keep their centre of gravity as low as possible. The goal is the same – not to be pushed backwards.
  • In your tripod/bent knee stance, proceed to slowly shuffle across the river. Make things easier by crossing at a slight angle heading downstream rather than straight across, as this will mean you are moving with the current rather than fighting against it. Test each foothold for stability as you go. The stick/pole will act as a depth tester and stabilizer. Shuffle steadily, but don’t rush.
  • If the crossing is difficult and you are hiking in a group, party members can take turns at positioning themselves downstream so that in case of a fall, they are better able to offer immediate assistance in the form of a rope, hiking pole or long, sturdy stick.

WORST CASE SCENARIO

In the event that you fall and are swept away by the current:

  • Regain your composure: After the shock of falling, your only concern should be reaching the safety of shore. There will be plenty of time to worry about all of your stuff once you are out of the water.
  • Position yourself so that you are floating on your back with your feet facing downstream. If collisions with river obstacles occur, better your feet than your head taking the brunt of the impact.

  • Two Options: There are two schools of thought in regards to whether or not you should hold onto your pack. The first is in favour of keeping your pack, as the trapped airspace inside of the sealed plastic bags will help to give you buoyancy. Sort of like a makeshift lifejacket. The negative associated with this strategy is that it only leaves you with one arm to swim, thus making it more difficult to reach shore. The second school of thought maintains that you should immediately release your pack, thereby making it easier to actively swim to the shore at the first feasible opportunity. The disadvantage to this method is that depending on the nature of the river and terrain, you may not be able to retrieve your pack, which subsequently could prove vital to your chances of survival.

  • Once you have reached the safety of shore, your number one priority is to get warm. If you still have your pack, immediately slip into dry and warm clothes. If your pack has been jettisoned, good luck searching! If you are solo and your search proves fruitless, depending on the prevailing conditions and how far away you are from civilization, you may need to build a fire in order to warm yourself and dry the clothes you are wearing. If you are part of a group, now would be a good time to beg and borrow from your hiking buddies.