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09-06-2016, 08:38 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Calgary
Posts: 316
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Crossing Rivers
I was out scouting this weekend, and had more trouble with river/creek crossings than I suspected. Most don't show up on maps or google earth, I guess that's why scouting is so important! With all the rain this year I suspect most streams will be higher than normal. The water was just above my knees and flowing pretty quick. I was able to just roll up the pants and wade across but it was a little sketchy and when the weather gets colder I doubt it'd be possible. How do you handle these obstacles? I noticed some lucky folks using quads or horses but don't have those at my disposal.
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09-06-2016, 08:51 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rovin
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I've been using these for a long time, 8+ yrs, love it
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09-06-2016, 08:54 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,699
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Rivers
We use crocs and parachute cord to tie them on our feet so they don't float away. The spot we hunted two years ago had 6 or 7 crossings and they all went well. If it's really cold and only one crossing we carry hip waders and just stash them by the river. Putting on frozen waders and crossing a frozen fiver is a treat that everyone should experience.
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09-06-2016, 09:08 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarychef
We use crocs and parachute cord to tie them on our feet so they don't float away. The spot we hunted two years ago had 6 or 7 crossings and they all went well. If it's really cold and only one crossing we carry hip waders and just stash them by the river. Putting on frozen waders and crossing a frozen fiver is a treat that everyone should experience.
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I just carry an old pair of running shoes for that, much more secure on your feet and better grip. Good walking stick also helps. Still hear about the time I talked the BIL into tying garbage bags on our feet. Gonna be some wicked crossings with all this rain. Important to make sure you can ditch your rifle if you do fall.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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09-06-2016, 12:44 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olds, Sundre area Alberta
Posts: 2,134
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Rain pants with the cuffs taped over good waterproof hiking boots will get you through pretty deep sections.
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Horizon Parent Society (Helping kids with disabilities)
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09-06-2016, 03:29 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams
I just carry an old pair of running shoes for that, much more secure on your feet and better grip. Good walking stick also helps. Still hear about the time I talked the BIL into tying garbage bags on our feet. Gonna be some wicked crossings with all this rain. Important to make sure you can ditch your rifle if you do fall.
Grizz
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Runners do work well but they don't dry out and I like to wear the crocs at camp. There must be some funny stories out there about river crossings....
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09-06-2016, 03:44 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Uh, guess? :)
Posts: 26,739
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Quote:
Originally Posted by st99
I've been using these for a long time, 8+ yrs, love it
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The reason I'm attracted to this option over all the others listed here is that you don't have to waste a huge amount of time taking off your boots and then putting on your crossing shoes, and then repeating on the other side. Those look like they would slip on and off fast. My only concern might be them slipping a lot in rocky, fast current because they are not tight.
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07-03-2019, 08:53 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Okotokian
The reason I'm attracted to this option over all the others listed here is that you don't have to waste a huge amount of time taking off your boots and then putting on your crossing shoes, and then repeating on the other side. Those look like they would slip on and off fast. My only concern might be them slipping a lot in rocky, fast current because they are not tight.
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The only downside I’ve found with the wiggys waders is durability. Crocs and contractor bags are much cheaper and hold up. Plus both items have a dual purpose once in camp. Don’t have to strip right down, just pull your boots off.
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07-04-2019, 10:50 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Jasper
Posts: 836
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Crossing Rivers
Not sure whether anyone has covered this yet:
Stream flows are near their peak at this time of year, both for glacier and snow melt-fed rivers and creeks, as well as for rainwater fed ones, due to the deluge of rain that we have had in June. The Athabasca in Jasper is cranking right now.
When we began sheep scouting in May/June/July several years ago, we were discouraged by dangerous and high flow from most of the creeks we were hoping to ford.
By mid and late August, unless the rains have continued unabated, the streams will be significantly lower in most areas. I rely on this website for flow rates, both historical and current. Crossings will get way easier and safer.
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/search/real_time_e.html
... and make sure to have your backpack unclipped while crossing water!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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07-04-2019, 11:07 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave99
Not sure whether anyone has covered this yet:
Stream flows are near their peak at this time of year, both for glacier and snow melt-fed rivers and creeks, as well as for rainwater fed ones, due to the deluge of rain that we have had in June. The Athabasca in Jasper is cranking right now.
When we began sheep scouting in May/June/July several years ago, we were discouraged by dangerous and high flow from most of the creeks we were hoping to ford.
By mid and late August, unless the rains have continued unabated, the streams will be significantly lower in most areas. I rely on this website for flow rates, both historical and current. Crossings will get way easier and safer.
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/search/real_time_e.html
... and make sure to have your backpack unclipped while crossing water!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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The Brazeau on Saturday.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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07-04-2019, 11:09 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Jasper
Posts: 836
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams
The Brazeau on Saturday.
Grizz
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How was the fishing? lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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07-04-2019, 02:11 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 14
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Just stick 2 garbage bags into your pack, step into them and walk across. Or just one and hop like your in a sack race lol
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07-04-2019, 03:01 PM
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 434
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When I know I will have a river to cross, I carry sandals on my pack for the purpose. Lightweight and effective. Roll up the pant legs or, if it is mid thigh deep or deeper, in your shorts.
A buddy has Wiggy Waders, but put a holes in the bottoms fairly quickly. Like my idea better. I also have a small towel, like a Chamwow (sp?), made by Umpqua called a Wondercloth. Super light and works very well to dry with quickly. Can be a little chilly, depending on the time of year, but drying off and rebooting I get warm again quickly.
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07-04-2019, 06:00 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Couchtater
Just stick 2 garbage bags into your pack, step into them and walk across. Or just one and hop like your in a sack race lol
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Did that once with my Brother in Law, about 50 years ago. he still reminds me about it.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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07-04-2019, 06:35 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,485
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If the outside temperature dictates:
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07-04-2019, 06:58 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,827
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Yuppers, the levels will drop by fall,,, mountain run off is well underway right now...
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07-04-2019, 08:41 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: W5
Posts: 1,093
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Good gators will keep you dry and get you across smaller streams (knee deep)without changing out of your good waterproof hunting boots,but you need to move quickly/don’t lolligag or stand there midstream fishing,lol.
I wouldn’t expect the same high water levels in the fall as we have right now,the rain has been relentless throughout NW/west central AB the last few weeks,all the rivers and creeks in my area are torrents of raging chocolate milk right now.
Creeks that I can normally jump across or skip across in gators in a few quick steps come September/October I wouldn’t even attempt with chest waders right now!
__________________
The toughest thing about waiting for the zombie apocalypse is pretending that I'm not excited.
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07-06-2019, 12:25 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Turner Valley, AB
Posts: 214
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigfeet
When I know I will have a river to cross, I carry sandals on my pack for the purpose. Lightweight and effective. Roll up the pant legs or, if it is mid thigh deep or deeper, in your shorts.
A buddy has Wiggy Waders, but put a holes in the bottoms fairly quickly. Like my idea better. I also have a small towel, like a Chamwow (sp?), made by Umpqua called a Wondercloth. Super light and works very well to dry with quickly. Can be a little chilly, depending on the time of year, but drying off and rebooting I get warm again quickly.
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I do pretty much the same thing (sandals and light towel). It's never fun crossing a cold river in October/November when there's snow on the ground, but I've done it a number of times before. I won't go into water deeper than my knees in those times of year, and if it takes too long to cross it gets painful. But once I'm across I just towel off, put on my socks and boots, and keep going.
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07-07-2019, 10:16 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 121
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Crossings can be dangerous
Be careful
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