TA DAY 0: RIOS CROSSING TRAINING

Plan, preparation, practice

One of the things that has worried me the most about my walk through teraoa (ta) are the crosses of rivers. Of course I have made my fair part of the streams and I passed by the bridges, but directly through the river there is a different beast. The rivers make me nervous because once my kayaking turns in a river; Destroying my phone, losing several pieces of clothes (including a shoe) and having a cold and humid palette in the dark …

To take away some of fear and stress, I took a river cross course last weekend. Trust Araroa Tāmaki Makaurau put in class with the Wero Whitewater Park vector in Auckland. In addition to practicing secure river crossing techniques in solo and group, we also obtained a lesson on hydrology and recognizing when a river is not safe.

A key conclusion is that Eddys are your friends. What is exactly a swirl? Imagine a rock that stands out from the river. This rock creates an obstacle for water to move, thus slowing down the flow behind that object. Eddys may seem a bit scary, but water is slower than if it flows without problems.

Although trees or fallen debris can create a swirl, avoiding them is their safest bet, since they can tangle and catch it underwater.

Cross, or not cross?

River crosses are always a risk. Before trying a cross, it is useful to decide if it is safe and necessary.

Consider the following:

1. Do I need to cross here? Maybe there is a nearby bridge or alternative route.
2. How fast the water flows? If you throw a stick in the middle of the river, and move faster than you can walk; The current is too strong.
3. How deep is water? Ideally, the water should not pass the thigh and no higher than the hips.
4. Can you see the bottom of the river? If the water is cloudy, muddy, or listening rocks crawling, then it is insecure.

Sure or insecure to cross? Cloudy water and rapid rapids; Definitely insecure!

Water clarity is also linked to floods. If there have been many rainfall (even if not in its exact location), be careful before trying a crossing. If you are not sure if the water levels are increasing, you can leave a stick next to the river and verify it later. If the stick disappears, then the water has increased (or someone threw it to verify the speed of the current).

The rivers that drain into larger spaces (ex: the sea or a huge lake) can be flooded for longer than those empty in small lakes.

In case of doubt, wait!

The class had a mixture of rookies and people who have been walking or backing on for many years. His experiences led to a lot of comments, including the suggestion that if he travels alone, it is better to reach the paths early. In this way, if something goes wrong, there will be others after you.

That said, the rivers are also a good place for lunch or a snack. This extra time can allow others to catch up, because it is always safer to cross in a group.

One of the most important conclusions is that if a river is not safe; Do not cross. There are many stories of people who see their hut on the other side of the river, but they have to camp a couple of additional days until it was safe. In my mother’s word; «Turn around, don’t drown.»

It is important to respect Mother Nature and not take unnecessary risks to try to get to a faster place. Last year at TE AAROA (TA), there were two deaths; Both of the river crosses.

From the classroom to the course river

After the instruction in the classroom and a little practice on land, we arrive at the Water Water course to wet our legs.

Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland, where training was carried out. We were in a quick course behind this main area of ​​the pool.

Very good, let’s say we have finished evaluating the conditions and determining a crossing is necessary. Before entering the river there are two more things to consider:

1. Do you have a safe entry and exit place? It will not be good to cross the water just to meet a high and impassable bank. In addition, take into account those undermined in the banks when exploring, since the ground can be quite unstable.

2. Is there any danger downstream? It is probably not intelligent to try to cross over a waterfall or large rapids.

Whether exploring or crossing, always keep your PLB, Inreach or other emergency beacon in your person in case it is swept.

We will cross

Both for the crossings of Sol and groups undo the neck of the neck of his backpack so that he does not drown if he falls. Never put your feet downstream; That is a good way to hit your feet under the rocks while pushing you face down to the water.

Solo crosses:

• Using your trekking posts (or a stick if you have no posts). Hold the posts together in front of you. If your posts are adjustable, make them longer than you normally walk. Mine does not fit, so it is a bit more difficult with shorter posts, but it is still feasible.
• Face with your posts at an angle in front of you and your weight lowering the posts.
• Slowly dragging your post aside, then every leg at the same time. You always want to have at least two contact points.

For individual and group crossings, keep the waist belt. However, if the buckle is broken and has been binding its package, unlock so that you can rescue it in an emergency.

Group cross:

• Align so that everyone is looking to the other side of the river with tilted feet towards the opposite shore.
• The biggest and strongest person must be the first (upstream). This person will take the worst part of the force and create a swirl so that the person next to him passes.
• The last person must also be strong to raise the back.
• Keep the buckles of the hip strap, but loosen the arm straps to allow your group companions to link their arms behind the packages of others.
• If more than 7 people create two groups to cross.
• Everyone must walk together at the same time to create a swirl for the person next to them. This means good coordination and taking smaller steps if you have shorter members of the team.

I like to use waterplaces with waterproof socks for water crosses. It makes it quick to change in my normal shoes later.

I am a rather small individual, so it was a bit scary to practice alone. The current was quite strong even for simulation, so it was nervous to lose your balance and be swept.

Fair swim with him

Before leaving a warm shower, we did a final exercise; Swimming with our packages on. This was to show what it would be like if we fell.

Two ways of swimming:

• Without a packageSee the feet first, so you can look forward and push any type of rocks, etc., you can find.
• With a package From now on, you want your head to go first. This means that you will be floating on your back and your package will hit anything instead of your body.

It was relief to see my bag floating and keeping me awake too.

In general, I spent a fun time learning some new skills and generating more confidence to cross rivers. I am sure I will be nervous when the time comes, but I can also make a security size and wait if it does not feel good.

Post training (and shower) selfie near the park.

Safe trips around!

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