River crossings are extremely dangerous—those without the necessary knowledge should not attempt them (just because others in your group have the knowledge doesn’t mean you do). On the Xiate Ancient Trail, the Muzart River (a glacial river beneath the Muzart Glacier), a prominent figure in the outdoor community died in 2001, and two more lives were lost in 2010—this is just from a quick online search. Probably not many people go there in total, but the fatality rate seems pretty high.
These days, it’s common to see posts about people attempting the Langta Line, which also involves river crossings. I wonder if those organizing these trips or signing upto participateactually know how to cross rivers safely.
There are too many details involved in river crossing for this post to cover them all,but the main goal is to serve as a reminder—make sure you do your homework first.
Pay attention to some of the following points, because common sense might actually lead you to make the wrong move.
1. When things go wrong during a river crossing, you’ll likely have to save yourself.For example, when crossing in a group, if one person loses their footing, the entire group could be swept away instantly. Don’t assume that stronger members can hold you up, because the force of the water is truly immense—in such situations, they’ll probably only be able to save themselves. So, weaker participants must not rely on others; you must ensure you can cross the river on your own.
2. A river can take a life in an instant.Someone trapped underwater can die within one or two minutes. Drifting in icy river water leads to hypothermia within minutes. Once hypothermia sets in, self-rescue becomes impossible, and death is not far off.
3. Don’t assume that knowing how to swim means you can cross a river.The force of the river can pin you under tree trunks, branches, or between boulders (there are often water-carved indentations beneath the water’s surface near river bends that can trap you),leaving you completely immobilized.A minute or two later, it’s all over.
4. Pay attention to two things:If the water depth reaches the thigh level of the shortest person in your group or the current speed exceeds5kilometers per hour(throw a stick into the river and see if you can keep up with it while walking along the shore), then it’s a red flag—you must take proper protective measures before proceeding.
5. When using a ropenever tie it around your body,only hold it firmly with your hands. If you slip and can’t regain your footing quickly, and begin to choke on water, you must let go immediately—floating away may give you a chance to survive. Being pinned in place by a rope in the water will quickly lead to drowning.
6. Be prepared to abandon your backpack before crossing the river,and unbuckle the waist and chest straps before stepping into the water (you might not be able to undo them in a panic after falling in). If you slip, separate yourself from your pack immediately—your life comes first. When using a rope (as mentioned earlier, never tie it around your body), you can secure it to your backpack; once you’ve separated from your pack, your teammates can help retrieve it.
7. When stepping on rocks or logs to cross the river, if you lose balance and are about to fall in,choose to fall downstream,to avoid getting pinned underwater and drowning.
8. First, observe the direction of the river flow.:It’s best to assess the overall situation from a high vantage point and from a distance—observing from close to the riverbank makes it hard to get the full picture.Crossing the river is a big deal, and also a particularly strenuous and time-consuming task. You must never cut corners on safety or rush just to save time.
The areas with footprints in the image below are suitable crossing points, while all other numbered spots are dangerous zones where crossing is not recommended. Can everyone identify why each numbered location is hazardous?
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