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I'd like to remind everyone that we, pilgrims, who are walking through do not know the local creeks and streams well. Water is stronger than we are.
I started to write out how I would cross safely with my scouts, but found this article by the Appalachian Trail. They write out safety guidelines better than I could. It's a short read and worthwhile information about backpacking and crossing water.
Now, Now, David don't let your sinocism show!!Just get someone shorter than you to go first?
Sinocism? What has this to do with China? I merely cracked a joke.Now, Now, David don't let your sinocism show!!
A reason may be that with two poles where your hands are in the straps if you slip and go under you may not be able to get your pack off.Interesting that they recommend, for those who walk with two hiking poles, to just use one when crossing and to attach the other to your pack.
They also indicate that two poles in the water gives the water more to push against, and it is the force of the water that seems to be the danger.A reason may be that with two poles where your hands are in the straps if you slip and go under you may not be able to get your pack off.
When crossing a smaller stream by walking on rocks increase your poles' length by the depth of the stream.
Seemed a bit crazy to me so I sought another opinion on this. Here's what the Pacific Crest Trail Association says (along with a lot of other advice):They also indicate that two poles in the water gives the water more to push against, and it is the force of the water that seems to be the danger.
All great replies. One thing I was told if the water flow is fast, never turn your back against the flow, as your legs would collapse. Personally, I would be apprehensive in crossing an unknowns water stretch.I am starting a new thread based on @kelleymac 's post in another thread here, so I can tag it with "hazards." It seems like good information that we might want to refer back to during future discussions. It is rarely necessary to cross hazardous streams on the Camino, especially the popular routes, but very occasionally the need might arise. The article posted by @kelleymac below is worth reading.
River and Stream Crossings | Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Fording streams and rivers may be the most dangerous challenge hikers confront. River crossings can be deceptively hazardous. Even a very shallow, swiftly flowing body of water can pack enough force to knock you off your feet. Use caution and common sense. Carry a map and compass and know how to...appalachiantrail.org
You definitely earned your pints...yikes!somehow made it through with a few scrapes and bruises and enjoyed our pints at end of day.
Where was this? You must have really insisted on taking a different route. You are providing an outlook that doesn't fit the experience that more than most. Perhaps after a serious down pour?View attachment 159870
The one case when crossing at the narrowest point is actually allowed!
Then there was the day when we got to a river I was not comfortable crossing with the kids because it was flowing so fast - turning around and taking the alternative route meant we ended up doing over 40km that day. Another pilgrim crossed, and later reported that water reached her armpits, so according to the article, we did the right thing!
The very next day, a kind pilgrim, who we had talked to the night before got to this fast-flowing stream before us. Knowing that we were coming, he waited in the pouring rain until we arrived so that he could help us across. I was most thankful to him.
View attachment 159872
Yes, it was COLD.
I think it is pretty clearly after a downpour, and Kiwi-family has done a number of routes that most people (who walk the Frances/Portugues) don't venture onto. I see no reason to doubt her words. Yes, it doesn't fit the experience of the majority of pilgrims on the Camino Frances, but that could be said of this whole thread. Crossing hazardous streams isn't generally required on the Camino Frances (although with recent reports of the rain in Spain, some previously non-hazardous streams on the Frances with effective crossing stones may not be counted upon to be so simple to cross). But this thread is about the exceptions and Kiwi-family's post is right on topic.Where was this? You must have really insisted on taking a different route. You are providing an outlook that doesn't fit the experience that more than most. Perhaps after a serious down pour?
I think that on stream crossings, the general recommendation is to have all straps undone - poles, pack, etc. This might include getting a waist pack into your main pack. Looking at the photos in @Kiwi-family's earlier post, while they aren't wearing long trousers through the crossing, it is clear that they still have the pack waist straps done up. Mind you, its easy to be critical in hindsight, and that is quite a narrow crossing. In similar circumstances, I know that I have done the same thing.If I were to use two poles in deep water I would feel far more vulnerable than using just one, especially if I had the straps on.
You are more right than you can imagine. Not just one serious downpour, but seven days of almost non-stop rain.Where was this? You must have really insisted on taking a different route. You are providing an outlook that doesn't fit the experience that more than most. Perhaps after a serious down pour?
No. The posts above describe situations rather more serious than you will encounter between Sarria and Santiago. It’s not exactly like a supermarket carpark, but similar.On the CF between Sarria and Santiago are there (typically) a lot of water crossings in the winter?
You passed just north of my house during what we regard as fairly normal weather - those lakes have to come from somewhere!Oh my!Recently completed the Wainwrights Coast to Coast walk in the UK where we experienced wicked rains 80mm+ rain on a couple of days in the Lake District. Would have been good to know this information before we crossed the many, many raging streams on two particular days. Let me see When Crossing article points what I/we did right.
1. Keep your shoes on
2. Use a walking stick...used two poles...however snapped a pole in half when I slipped on slippery rocky trail section and pole stayed stuck in the boggy stuff behind me. Finally we walked in Grasmere and to my surprise there were 3 sporting good stores. Entered one...manager came over...I asked “do you have trekking poles”..."Well yes we have a fully stocked section". Wow what luck so I asked “how come you have a store in such a small village?”. He smiles “We are strategically located”.
7. Keep your eyes on the prize...except in one spot where close to the “prize” I was knee deep and doing just fine and then voila thigh deep and clutching to grab the “prize”.
All other points to consider I muffed. What an incredible experience...will admit that good fortune was on our side...as opposed to good judgement...somehow made it through with a few scrapes and bruises and enjoyed our pints at end of day.
I believe you…fairly normal weather is icing on the cake on my storyYou passed just north of my house during what we regard as fairly normal weather - those lakes have to come from somewhere!
Well done.I believe you…fairly normal weather is icing on the cake on my story. Almost all walkers bailed that day! Must have been something in my thinking that said “this is normal…walk!”
Definitely! I heard of a fellow fly fisher who was washed away in knee deep water on a western river and drowned. I find that on normal rivers and streams the best place to cross is usually where the water is still smooth, just up stream from the riffles (little rapids). That usually is the shallowest and widest point on the stream. If its not widest there then don't do it. As far as pants vs shorts go. I wade rivers in breathable waders with fabric like pants and a little loose fitting. So if the flow is so strong that you're concerned about the extra drag, then find a bridge, unless you're an expert.Never underestimate the power of moving water. If a strong flow is up to your knees VERY CAREFULLY turn around and retreat. Try elsewhere or not at all. (Been there and submerged). Buen Camino
And don't step on any rocks that look greenish (moss?). I got my pants washed on the spot that day.A reason may be that with two poles where your hands are in the straps if you slip and go under you may not be able to get your pack off.
When crossing a smaller stream by walking on rocks increase your poles' length by the depth of the stream.
This looks like a reason to cross with two poles, one to steady yourself and one to explore where to step next.My favorite river to fly fish in is usually knee deep till you get to the "corner hole", yes its actually named, because it drops suddenly to about 20 feet deep.
This is far better advice than ANY I have read so far!!Never underestimate the power of moving water. If a strong flow is up to your knees VERY CAREFULLY turn around and retreat. Try elsewhere or not at all. (Been there and submerged). Buen Camino
Couldn't agree more.This is far better advice than ANY I have read so far!!
Stay Away from the Edge | Ministry127
The story is told about a stage coach company was hiring teamsters to drive its stage coaches through a mountainous area. The local office manager had advertised for the position and people began to apply for the job. As they were interviewed, the boss asked each applicant, “How close can you...ministry127.com
It is rarely necessary to cross hazardous streams on the Camino, ... but very occasionally the need might arise.
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