Gale River Trail to Galehead Hut

[Waumbek]

Looks like we are going to cross the river!
-Liza

Rain is forecast here for the weekend, Saturday p.m. into Sunday, so I know you'll be thinking about getting back out the same route if the water level has risen dramatically. Oh, yes, there;s new snow above 3800' this morning after the big drop in temps last night.

 

[dr_wu002]

Rain is forecast here for the weekend, Saturday p.m. into Sunday, so I know you'll be thinking about getting back out the same route if the water level has risen dramatically. Oh, yes, there;s new snow above 3800' this morning after the big drop in temps last night.

Waumbek: Isn't this part of the adventure though? I'm sure Liza's group will be fine.

Liza: I hope you ladies go for it! I know Waumbek and everyone else are just trying to be helpful & informative but it can all be a little overwhelming when everyone is chiming in, reminding you of something extra to be nervous about. Have someone hike in with a long stick and pole vault the river if things get hairy! Good Luck!

-Dr. Wu

 

[Waumbek]

Gale River Road might be open this weekend anyways ... "Winter" as far as forest roads go, usually runs nov 15 - may 15, depending on conditions

GRR is open. I walked on it last week.

 

[Blue]

I'm bringing extra rope for safety. Thanks for the heads up with the new snow...
is it too much to ask for a Saturday without rain ???

 

[Waumbek]

I'm bringing extra rope for safety. Thanks for the heads up with the new snow...

Yes, the extra rope is a great idea. I'll let you know if anything else comes up here.

 

[DougPaul]

I'm bringing extra rope for safety.

You may know this already, but just to be safe, I'll repeat it.

Never tie into a rope for river crossings (it can pin you underwater)--use it as a handline.

Method 1: Tie rope to tree, walk downstream and cross with the rope at an angle. Untie rope and tie it on the destination side and repeat for partner. (If alone, just loop the rope around a tree, hold onto the doubled rope, and pull one strand to recover.)

Method 2: For 3 or more people. 1st person as above, tie both ends and use as a handline. Last person as above.

Also usual stuff such as release pack belt and sternum strap so the pack can be jettisoned if you go in. If you get swept away, get into a sitting position, feet downstream to fend off the rocks. _Don't_ attempt to stand up in current--you can catch your foot in the rocks and be swept over and held down by the current. And don't get swept into a fallen tree (a strainer in boater's lingo)--you can get caught in the branches and held underwater.

Doug

 

[Waumbek]

Tie rope to tree, walk downstream and cross with the rope at an angle. Doug

What's the rationale for the downstream angled psotion?

 

[darren]

If you don't usually carry them when backpacking, think about bringing a pair of tevas. They are really light so it's not much trouble to bring them. Wear them for river crossings and just wade on through. They are much better than bare feet on slippery rocks. After you cross and put your boots back on, just strap them to the outside of your pack and let them air dry. Mine strap nicely right to the top of my pack. I have size 13 feet, so I'm sure yours will be much lighter and easier to strap on.

I always carry mine in the warm months. Plus you get to wear them around camp instead of your boots. Much nicer.

- darren

 

[SherpaKroto]

waumbek: Walking downstream 10 feet or more than the width of the crossing allows you to cross without having to reposition the rope in your hands, keeping it taught as you cross. If you go straight across, you will need to feed line out, increasing the chances that you could drop the rope. Having it directly behind you does not give you much additional support. Think of a "horizontal pendulum" crossing approach.

 

[griffin]

I'm bringing extra rope for safety. Thanks for the heads up with the new snow...
is it too much to ask for a Saturday without rain ???

Lately that's like asking for WH without drama

DougPaul - thanks for the 411 on proper rope crossing

 

[Blue]

I'm bringing a rope to use as a handline and a throw rope.

Charlie is going to show me how to use both tonight!

As for Tevas, we already sent out an email to our group saying that Tevas
(or water shoes) are now required, along with a little towel and a pair of extra socks, just in case.

We'll take plenty of pictures.

 

[Waumbek]

waumbek: Walking downstream 10 feet or more than the width of the crossing allows you to cross without having to reposition the rope in your hands, keeping it taught as you cross. If you go straight across, you will need to feed line out, increasing the chances that you could drop the rope. Having it directly behind you does not give you much additional support. Think of a "horizontal pendulum" crossing approach.

Thanks. Makes sense to me. I've only had to do it once, long ago, and the details were fuzzy.

 

[DougPaul]

Thanks. Makes sense to me. I've only had to do it once, long ago, and the details were fuzzy.

The farther you go downstream, the straighter (with respect to the stream) the pull.

To use SherpaKroto's analogy, the pendulum stays closer to vertical.

BTW, polypropolene rope floats (and is therefore used for white-water boater's throw lines). Nylon and polyester sink.

Re river crossing shoes. Sandals might be a problem on a rocky bottom and heavy currents. A pair of sneakers might be better. If it is really bad, just use your boots with or without socks (better to do on the way out when you are closer to your car).

BTW2, Freedom of the Hills has a short section on crossing rivers.

Moving water is deceptively powerful and can sweep you away if it is above your knees.

Doug

 

[Waumbek]

Moving water is deceptively powerful and can sweep you away if it is above your knees.Doug

Absolutely. Way Back When, I was a Life Guard and developed tremendous respect for the power of water. Not fear but true awe. Our motto (at least the public one) was that it only takes 3" of water to drown under the right (wrong) circumstances.

 

[HikerBob]

Here's a thought.

If my boots are waterproof, and they have a good waterproof webbed tongue, then the only way for water to get in is over the top. Gaiters help some but still seem to have a lot of leak potential.

How about I carry some cling wrap and wind a few turns of that tightly around the top of the boot and my leg, making a pretty watertight seal. That way, no removing boots, no wet socks.

Think that would work? Or is it way past my bed time?

Bob

 

[DougPaul]

If my boots are waterproof, and they have a good waterproof webbed tongue, then the only way for water to get in is over the top. Gaiters help some but still seem to have a lot of leak potential.

How about I carry some cling wrap and wind a few turns of that tightly around the top of the boot and my leg, making a pretty watertight seal. That way, no removing boots, no wet socks.

Think that would work? Or is it way past my bed time?

I think you are up a little late.

Basically, you are standing in knee+ high water for perhaps a minute or so. If you really want to stay dry, bring hip (or at least thigh-high) boots. And make sure they are tight fitting or they will increase the force of the water on your legs.

Another approach is to ride a horse/donkey/camel.

Doug

 

[jn316]

trash bags

i usually have in my pack for whatever a couple of large plastic trash bags.
They've kept my feet and legs dry crossing streams like the ones at the start of benton trail or castle trail. The Gale River might be a little too much for this technique now, but it's served me well from time to time.

 

[Blue]

Moving water is deceptively powerful and can sweep you away if it is above your knees.

So I scout the crossing, I find a section that looks maybe slightly more
shallow, I walk out a little and find it's above the knee.. do I absolutely turn back?

Also, from reading a book on kayaking/rivers/etc., I notice they say
that the first person in a group should have someone directly behind them I'm guessing for extra weight and support...will this help or not?

Thanks!

 

[Tramper Al]

Blue,
I haven't looked at my Freedom of the Hills, to see what is in there, but I found what I think is a pretty good bit of text here. It is a military site, but I think if you can ignore the part about shouldering your weapon, there is some good stuff. In addition to stuff about how to step and what to do if you swim, there is a progression from individual crossing to team to rope as the crossing conditions warrant.

 

[DougPaul]

So I scout the crossing, I find a section that looks maybe slightly more shallow, I walk out a little and find it's above the knee.. do I absolutely turn back?

Also, from reading a book on kayaking/rivers/etc., I notice they say
that the first person in a group should have someone directly behind them I'm guessing for extra weight and support...will this help or not?

You will have to use your own judgement. You can walk safely in much deeper stationary water and get swept off your feet in shallower very fast water. The knee depth is just a rule-of-thumb.

A group (arms linked so they function as a single unit) crossing in a line parallel to the current can cross in more diffiult conditions than a lone individual.

Poles (best without baskets) or a walking stick can also be a big help.

Doug