Using River Trails

[Rick]

We all know that a frozen creek or small river can make an easy path in the winter. Especially in hill country. But they also offer some particularly nasty dangers. Two questions.

1. Do you use them?
2. What precautions do you take?

[Stealth]

when rivers ice they often dont freeze very thick, so if i had to use a river, i would walk very close to the edge and be very cautious of any creaking sounds when stepping on the ice. if i thought the ice was going to crack then i would get on all fours and slowly go out the way I came. or, if i had my camera crew with me, i would jump into the freezing water (after precutting handle holes in the ice) to show you how to get out.

[Rick]

You are one bad kitty! The question is would you then strip down and dry off using snow?

[Ole WV Coot]

Don't use them, don't plan on using them. I will follow the stream or creek if I am confused in this part of the country because I know it will lead to someplace. Always follow the flow here and it will bring you to people, just remember the movie Deliverance.

[Stealth]

You are one bad kitty! The question is would you then strip down and dry off using snow?

of course, and then I'd follow that up with some naked pushups

[Rick]

Too funny!:D

[LadyTrapper]

There is often moving water under some of those "frozen" rivers and cricks. Keeping dry is of most importance in even the warmest weather and even more critical in the cold. You most definitely heighten the danger factor when travelling on these icy highways. I would follow along the banks.

[woodwose]

We all know that a frozen creek or small river can make an easy path in the winter. Especially in hill country. But they also offer some particularly nasty dangers. Two questions.

1. Do you use them?
2. What precautions do you take?

It depends on how cold it is. In Canada, especially the northern parts of the provinces they drive semi trucks over the ice on lakes. How big and/or deep is the river/creek? The bigger (wider) they are the more likely that they are thin ice towards the middle. thicker where the water is shallowest towards the bank. Personally, I would not use them at all, period. When I go out into the wilderness I go alone. If I found that I absolutely had to use an ice cover on a stream/river or lake I would stay close to shore in the shallower water and even then, I would tie a rope to a tree with a slip knot and long end to untie it as I go. :D

[Rick]

I posted this for some of the inexperienced who might be tempted to use them. They sure look tempting, especially if they are free of entanglements (tree, limbs, etc.). A nice easy sidewalk but the hidden dangers (especially if you are alone) far outweigh the conveniences. I've stepped through so many puddles out in the field thinking they were frozen solid. The real danger lies in a drop in the water level beneath the ice, in which case there is nothing supporting it but the ice itself. Lady Trapper knows her stuff. Stick to the banks.

[Stealth]

are you calling me inexperienced?:p

[Rick]

I don't reckon I would. Not after what you posted.

[trax]

Your biggest threat is large rivers or fast moving water bodies, they won't freeze as well. I've worked on drills on the ice over lakes on a few occassions and it wasn't a big deal, we drove Cats, swamp buggies over the ice. But there's times that Cats have gone through the ice too, so...you be the judge.

I've used creeks for walking paths, but I think this part is important, I knew the area I was going over and was sure that it was solid enough. If you don't know, don't go,stick to the shoreline.

If you're in a group, stay spread out, watch ahead for anyplaces that rocks or tree limbs are jutting out of the water, you'll have either fast water beneath or thin ice or both. If you're alone and have to cross a water body, look for the shortest route possible. I don't recommend using them for walkways if you're alone. For some reason people never seem to be able to find the same hole they made going in to get back out. I'd also recommend carrying a long thin pole, highwire walking style. You go in and all you have to do is shove the far end of the pole to someone and have them pull you out, then the fun starts, getting dry. Check the ice along the shoreline before crossing or walking on any body of water, if there's water lapping...don't go. If there's a heavy "spiderweb" of cracks, you can go but stay light and quick. never do anything that creates hard impact on the ice (although why anyone would I can't say but apparently some people do, I guess they want to jump up and down to prove to someone else that the ice is safe. Guess what happens? The ice cracks under the next person, funny stuff that ice)

If you have to pull someone else out, crawl out on your belly and stay as far away from them as you can and still reach them with the stick or rope. The more spread out your weight is the less chance there is of you cracking the ice. Hope your woolies are well tucked in or it's going to be a cold crawl for your belly button, but it is the safest way to rescue that person. Better a cold tummy than a dead friend. Just a few thoughts from the NSGWN (not-so-great-white north, LOL)

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

May follow the course of a river but never would use the ice for a trail ,cross it if need be but rarely is it safe .

[Borelli]

wow.....i guess it depends how frozen over the river is.......you could walk beside the ice.....??