Creek Tracing
Besides basic mountaineering skills, creek tracing also requires mastering techniques such as climbing waterfalls. Therefore, purely in terms of technical demands, creek tracing is more complex and challenging than mountain climbing. The skills involved in creek tracing can be roughly divided into: reading creek tracing maps, mountaineering skills, and techniques unique to creek tracing, such as crossing rock piles, traversing laterally, wading through water, swimming across, climbing waterfalls, and scrambling over high obstacles.
The basic principle of climbing technique is the three-point climbing method—keeping three points of your limbs fixed to maintain balance while moving the fourth point upward.
Crossing Rock Piles
There are many loose rocks and boulders in canyon streams, which are slippery and difficult to navigate. When walking, you should watch carefully and step firmly to avoid slipping on unanchored rocks or being knocked over by the current.
Traversing Laterally
When faced with a deep pool under a cliff or waterfall that blocks your path, try traversing laterally along the base of the rock walls on either side. The rocks are often slippery and footholds are hard to secure, so proceed with extra caution. Sometimes footholds may be hidden underwater—use your feet to feel and explore. If it’s particularly difficult, it may be simpler to wade or swim across.
Try to stay as dry as possible during creek tracing. Canyons are usually cool and damp, and wet clothing and shoes take longer to dry, causing fatigue. Feet that stay in water for too long are prone to blisters. Avoid getting wet whenever possible—that’s a basic rule of creek tracing.
Wading and Swimming
When wading or swimming, you must accurately assess the speed and depth of the current, and check for undercurrents. Ropes and protection techniques may be necessary. Rope crossings are commonly used in creek tracing, involving a range of rope nets and rope bridge techniques, which won’t be detailed here.
Climbing Waterfalls
This is the most thrilling and technically demanding part of creek tracing. Before climbing, you must carefully observe the route, memorize the footholds, and think through solutions if you find yourself stuck. The main flow of the waterfall is fast but often has less moss, which can sometimes make climbing easier.
Although climbing waterfalls is exhilarating, it is highly difficult and requires significant experience and skill. Beginners or those without proper training should not attempt it lightly.
Scrambling Over High Obstacles
When faced with a waterfall cliff where other methods aren’t feasible, consider scrambling over a high obstacle by taking a detour along a gentler slope nearby. Be careful not to get lost in the underbrush, avoid straying too far from your original route, and always keep track of the original stream.
Creek tracing originated as a form of mountaineering in the European Alps and has since evolved into a relatively independent outdoor activity. It is most widely practiced in Asia in Japan, where numerous clubs and groups exist—many even named “×× straw sandal clubs” due to participants wearing straw shoes. In Taiwan, the activity began in the 1970s, experienced a decline, but saw a resurgence from the 1990s onward thanks to the strong advocacy and promotion by individuals like Liang Mingben, Zhuang Zaichuan, and Huang Dexiong, and has been thriving again in recent years.
Tracing a stream from downstream to upstream all the way to the source and summit is called full creek tracing. More popular is choosing a section of the creek to explore, enjoying camping, fishing, admiring towering waterfalls and cliffs, and experiencing the tranquility of quiet valleys and dense forests.
The basic principle of climbing technique is the three-point climbing method—keeping three points of your limbs fixed to maintain balance while moving the fourth point upward.
Crossing Rock Piles
There are many loose rocks and boulders in canyon streams, which are slippery and difficult to navigate. When walking, you should watch carefully and step firmly to avoid slipping on unanchored rocks or being knocked over by the current.
Traversing Laterally
When faced with a deep pool under a cliff or waterfall that blocks your path, try traversing laterally along the base of the rock walls on either side. The rocks are often slippery and footholds are hard to secure, so proceed with extra caution. Sometimes footholds may be hidden underwater—use your feet to feel and explore. If it’s particularly difficult, it may be simpler to wade or swim across.
Try to stay as dry as possible during creek tracing. Canyons are usually cool and damp, and wet clothing and shoes take longer to dry, causing fatigue. Feet that stay in water for too long are prone to blisters. Avoid getting wet whenever possible—that’s a basic rule of creek tracing.
Wading and Swimming
When wading or swimming, you must accurately assess the speed and depth of the current, and check for undercurrents. Ropes and protection techniques may be necessary. Rope crossings are commonly used in creek tracing, involving a range of rope nets and rope bridge techniques, which won’t be detailed here.
Climbing Waterfalls
This is the most thrilling and technically demanding part of creek tracing. Before climbing, you must carefully observe the route, memorize the footholds, and think through solutions if you find yourself stuck. The main flow of the waterfall is fast but often has less moss, which can sometimes make climbing easier.
Although climbing waterfalls is exhilarating, it is highly difficult and requires significant experience and skill. Beginners or those without proper training should not attempt it lightly.
Scrambling Over High Obstacles
When faced with a waterfall cliff where other methods aren’t feasible, consider scrambling over a high obstacle by taking a detour along a gentler slope nearby. Be careful not to get lost in the underbrush, avoid straying too far from your original route, and always keep track of the original stream.
Creek tracing originated as a form of mountaineering in the European Alps and has since evolved into a relatively independent outdoor activity. It is most widely practiced in Asia in Japan, where numerous clubs and groups exist—many even named “×× straw sandal clubs” due to participants wearing straw shoes. In Taiwan, the activity began in the 1970s, experienced a decline, but saw a resurgence from the 1990s onward thanks to the strong advocacy and promotion by individuals like Liang Mingben, Zhuang Zaichuan, and Huang Dexiong, and has been thriving again in recent years.
Tracing a stream from downstream to upstream all the way to the source and summit is called full creek tracing. More popular is choosing a section of the creek to explore, enjoying camping, fishing, admiring towering waterfalls and cliffs, and experiencing the tranquility of quiet valleys and dense forests.
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