River Crossing

[Evolute]

Let's share what we know about how to safely cross rivers. I'd like to hear about techniques for finding good spots for a safe crossing, how to stay stable and how to keep your footing, ways to float your gear across, and so on.

I use trekking poles. Extra "legs" help me maintain my balance in strong currents. They also allow me to poke where I can't see, before I step, to better judge whether my next step is a safe one. If I didn't have trekking poles with me, I'd probably look for good sticks to improvise.

Polarized sunglasses can help to see through the glare to see what is beneath the surface of the water.

I always unbuckle my pack, in case I go down, and need to remove it quickly.

I walk up and down the river, looking for areas that are not steep, where the water is slow moving.

 

[matthew rapaport]

I carry a light pair of boat shoes with me, or some other very light and inexpensive sneaker. Much easier and safer to cross if your feet are covered. Next, I use a hiking pole to push against the current (that is, it goes downstream of me). River crossing is one of the main reasons I like a hiking stick to be roughly as tall as I am or just a little less. This gives me plenty of extra room to grip it as it ends up in the water, and under rocks, etc.

When crossing with a party of people and the river is a little stronger than it should be for safe crossing, we will send one person across without pack, but with rope to tie off somewhere on the other side (plenty of trees where I go hiking). Then the party can cross using the rope to help keep from being swept away. If you can tie the rope high enough, you can use it, with a second rope, to pull the party's packs across, etc., but you have to get it pretty high to keep it from stretching and dunking the packs...

 

[GREENJACKET]

A river crossings shouldn't be taken lightly as when things go wrong it tends to happen fast. I'm not going to add much to safety measures other than agree with whats already said. You need a safety rope.

What I will say is watch out for water temperature, if low it can sap ones energy very quickly and thats before it hits your tackle
Its wet in Britain so everything in my bergen is packed into waterproof bags and then these go into a waterproof bergan liner. The bergan can then go into a bivibag and finaly wrapped in a basha. My last bivi bag was great and air trapped was as good as a float. The basha was to protect the bivibag. The empty waterbottle on a long piece of string makes a good small float. If this seems extreme its not.

For crossing I wear a pair of trainers as a cut foot isn't funny. I don't like sport sandles as its too easy to damage a toe. Walking boots are too heavy and take too long to dry. I prefer to put on my goretex suit rather than skinny dipping as at least it keeps the wind chill down; just shake the water out after.

Twenty minute swim is a long time in cold water; it also takes some time to recuperate after and a hot drink and food helps. Get back into those dry clothes fast and don't waste time larking about. A long crossing takes quite a long time so plan for it. The biggest danger especially in cold water is cramp, so such crossings shouldn't be attempted solo. Have a designated lifeguard, stripped and ready to go, to watch for trouble.

In fast flowing rivers one should swim with the flow. That goes for when in the sea, go with the side current, even if it takes you several miles down the coast. Just use your energy to swim towards shore, any bit of shore. Especially true when the tides going out as you will be hard pressed to make headway against it.
If the river is rocky and you have a climbing helmet then wear it. Wading staffs are great, even your fell walking stick is good so long as its up to it.

Remember turning your pyjama trousers into floats when doing your swimming test when younger. Just because you are older and wiser doesn't mean you shouldn't do it now. Just make sure you still have enough energy to do it. You can turn all sorts of things into boyancy aids, so do it.

In Africa take flash floods seriously and don't linger half way across. Hippos are the killers. Frankly you wouldn't get me in much above my knees and thats with a lookout. The exception is rafting under Vic Falls, now that was fun (they loose a few every couple of years; just goes with the territory ).

 

[coyotlviejo]

If possible, attach the rope on the far side of the river a little downstream from your starting point. Hook your packs to the rope with carabiner and let the current pull your packs across for you.

The last issue of Backpacker had some good tips on crossing with packs. You might want to pick up a copy.

cv

 

[MacHete]

No one else has mentioned it, so I will. In every swift water rescue course I've been through, foot entrapments were cited as a leading cause for drownings. Rocky bottoms and even soft muddy beds can grab your feet while the current pushes you over and holds you under. If you MUST cross a river with any kind of current, swim it if you can. If the water is above your knees but below your waist, you may be tempted to wade. If it is at all deep enough, you may be better off going horizontal and keeping your feet off the bottom.