Crossing to safety

Crossing a river or a big creek is risky business and should only be attempted if you know what you’re doing. Water that comes up to your mid-calf can have currents strong enough to sweep you away. The lesson on how to cross a river safely warrants an entire article, but assuming you already know the basics — like unbuckling your pack so it won’t pull you under if you slip — here are a couple tips for now that you may not have thought of.

• Step in the gaps between rocks rather than on top of them, since rocks can often be slippery.

• Microsteps are best, kind of sliding or shuffling your feet along the bottom to reduce the amount of time only one foot is in contact with the river bottom.

• Turn slightly into the current.

• Use a long stick, positioned on your upstream side.

• Don’t look straight down, but slightly ahead in the direction you are moving.