Thread: River crossing with walking stick

Is there a correct way to do it? Years ago I crossed a river with the pole downstream of me on the basis that I was less likely to have my feet washed out from under me if they were upstream of me and the water was pushing to me and I could lean against the pole. (you might need to read that twice!)

My old man suggested that I should have the pole upstream and lean into the water but it felt less stable.

General thoughts?

Cheers

Pole upstream...

pole upstream..the water pushes it into the bottom Vs tries to lift it off if downstream...it also SLIGHTLY breaks water flow before it hits your legs

Did a river crossing course recently and having the pole upstream was how they taught it.

Pole upstream was what I have been told.
I think part of the reason was that in deeper water you could get lifted up and over if the pole is downstream (kind of like doing an unintentional pole vault).

Get the sustainable poles...manuka. Trim and tidy up with a wood rash and oil them .

Originally Posted by TeRei

Get the sustainable poles...manuka. Trim and tidy up with a wood rash and oil them .

Thats exactly what I've got.
And thanks everyone

Originally Posted by imaca

Thats exactly what I've got.
And thanks everyone

I've always got a couple on the go, still on my original but have a spare and another seasoning. Will be properly gutted when I have to retire the original it's been on some pretty cool adventures and is the perfect shape/length/thickness for me.
No doubt it will break at the most inopportune time/place.

Originally Posted by imaca

Is there a correct way to do it? Years ago I crossed a river with the pole downstream of me on the basis that I was less likely to have my feet washed out from under me if they were upstream of me and the water was pushing to me and I could lean against the pole. (you might need to read that twice!)

My old man suggested that I should have the pole upstream and lean into the water but it felt less stable.

General thoughts?

Cheers

I am writing this not knowing how familiar you are with a stick,
Your dad is right, the water will try to sweep your feet out and you will fall upstream so brace against that with the stick upstream. The water pushing on the stick will hold it on the bottom if it is upstream and lift it if down stream.
In a straight across fording, place the stick a little in front, walk to it, stop 'side on' to the current and check your feet are braced, lift like rowing and place the stick ahead again. The grip is important, most upstream hand - Palm down, near hand - Palm up.
In a good crossing where the river can be forded across and down at 45 degrees, try and ford at the same speed as the water flow not stopping, bumping the stick on the bottom

Up stream that way your leaning into the current not leaning with it

Its well worth reiterating that practising this skill can be a life saver for those that HAVE to cross rivers. Waay back in tramping club days us kids couldn't wait to come across a swollen river...'cause that meant we had the perfect excuse to miss Monday off school. "Couldn't get out of the hills till the rivers came down". Just meant we always made sure we had enough dehy to last an extra day playing 500 in the pup tents or hut.