Vibe-Fall-2024 - Flipbook - Page 42
may be an option if you didn’t pack well.
A fine could ensue.
How does someone remedy/avoid it?
Do research. Choose a trail without crossings if there is rain in the forecast or if it’ll
be warm, adding to the snow-melt. This
means not only knowing the weather and
the trails, but knowing snow-pack conditions high above you to best determine
what’s safe and the how-to. Prompting a
river crossing skills course can be very
helpful.
You’re on trail
one minute, then
bushwacking
the next.
Other times a lack of
visibility can lead to your
becoming disoriented.
This is especially true
in the late fall and
winter when leaves or
snow can hide the way.
may save your life since you’re no longer
moving. These types of rescues are more
dangerous, lengthy, and complex than
most, which could certainly result in fines.
How does someone remedy/avoid it?
Like much of this, having proper gear and
knowing its use, coupled with experience,
will keep you out of trouble. Simple rope
tricks like hand-railing can also help a
lot. In the spring and fall, some are fooled
by warm weather, only to find old man
winter still living in the mountains. Fix
this deficiency with research.
CANNOT CROSS/RE-CROSS RIVER
What happens, exactly?
River crossings are dangerous if the
water is too deep, running too fast, is
too cold, and/or there are downstream
hazards that make it potentially lethal.
Depending on the specific circumstances,
42
such as trend and time of day, this can
range from being an inconvenience to
being an out-and-out killer.
How does it happen?
It should be obvious that if it is raining,
water volume will increase as the rain continues and for a period after it stops while
draining occurs. As it continues, the tame
babbling brook you crossed on the way in
may roar. Worse, this can surprise hikers
on a warm, sunny day with no rain at all if
there is snowmelt flooding the rivers.
What are the consequences?
The best-case scenario is that you will
have to make a challenging and potentially dangerous crossing, but you will make
it. And the worst case is dying while you
try. Otherwise, the last choice is to wait it
out or attempt to make a detour if even
possible. Neither is desirable, and neither
Hiking in the Mountains and Staying Safe
To avoid trouble for all, consider
these bullet points:
• Know the dangers
• Do the research
• Bring the right gear
• Plan the day well
• Know the weather forecast
• Go with experienced others
• Use your head/common sense
• Get experience incrementally
• Take related classes
• Hire a guide for safety
You also have the
ability to purchase
a Hike Safe Card,
www.hikesafe.
com, in New
Hampshire. This
card is similar to
carrying rescue
insurance, if you
will, in that you
may avoid being fined, even if somewhat
negligent by lacking some the appropriate gear or making some other oversight
(though gross negligence isn’t tolerated).
That said, please realize that this type of
insurance, while certainly recommended,
will NOT save your life. It is NOT a getout-of-jail-free card. Be careful out there,
because ultimately, it’s on you—you may
pay dearly no matter who gets the bill.
Mike Cherim, a North Conway resident,
is a trailwork- and SAR-volunteer in
the WMNF. His passions are primarily
hiking and skiing (plus biking and
fishing)—and he also loves to write.
He makes his living, however,
running a local guiding company:
Redline Guiding out of Intervale.
MWVvibe.com
