Stream Crossings in the Backcountry
One of the most dangerous activities while hiking or backpacking is crossing a stream or river. Many hikers will try to cross dangerous stacks of logs or jump from rock to rock. This often results in injury and is almost always done soley for comfort.
My trail crew recently built a bridge over a stream and it was amazing to see the risks that hikers took trying to keep their feet dry. Several people nearly wiped out on the old trail and a hiker had actually broken a leg a couple weeks earlier.
Some tips for safe stream crossings:
1. Scout the stream or river for safe crossing spots. Watch the water speed and depth and look for wide spots.
2. Face upstream while crossing. In groups you can cross in a chain with the strongest person upstream and the rest of the group in the wake of the first person. Another method is forming a triangle with three people.
3. Use a stick to form a tripod so that you always have two points of contact.
4. Wear shorts to reduce the drag.
5. Release your hip belt and sternum strap so that you can get out of your pack if you lose your balance and fall in the water.
My trail crew recently built a bridge over a stream and it was amazing to see the risks that hikers took trying to keep their feet dry. Several people nearly wiped out on the old trail and a hiker had actually broken a leg a couple weeks earlier.
Some tips for safe stream crossings:
1. Scout the stream or river for safe crossing spots. Watch the water speed and depth and look for wide spots.
2. Face upstream while crossing. In groups you can cross in a chain with the strongest person upstream and the rest of the group in the wake of the first person. Another method is forming a triangle with three people.
3. Use a stick to form a tripod so that you always have two points of contact.
4. Wear shorts to reduce the drag.
5. Release your hip belt and sternum strap so that you can get out of your pack if you lose your balance and fall in the water.
