When hiking in the mountains, you will come along quite a number of streams, streamlets, brooks, brooklets, creeks, runnels, and such like. Sometimes, they are small enough that you can just jump them. We are not talking about those. Sometimes, they are so big that you’ll need either to find a bridge, or to walk along them until you can find a safe way to pass them. We are not talking about those either. We are talking about the ones right in the middle: neither innocuous nor very dangerous, the forgotten middle creeks.
How do you cross those creeks?
Here is one of the “hiding behind that trunk” variety.
Well, dear Reader, I’m glad you asked!
1- On a tree trunk
First of all, to cross on a tree trunk, you must have a tree trunk. If none are provided, you’ll obviously need to use option 2 or 3.
a- The Equilibrist
The Equilibrist walks on the trunk with his backpack, using his poles either in the water if it’s possible, or as an equilibrist pole. The Equilibrist is not always graceful, and sometimes has to run and flap his arms in order not to fall.
As beautifully demonstrated by our friend Dundle
b- The Tortoise
Slowly, but safely, is the motto of the tortoise. He usually starts like the Equilibrist, but decides it is much safer to add his hands to the trunk and to advance at a slower, but steady pace. To do the tortoise successfully, you must have a very well balanced backpack, or you will end up in the creek, gripping the trunk and cursing the gods.
Here, our friend the Tyrex, demonstrating exactly why you should avoid the tortoise…
The advantages of the tree trunk are obvious: you don’t have to take your boots off, you cross in 3 seconds (or 5 minutes with the tortoise method) and you just go merrily your way.
The only drawback is if you fall. Well, just don’t, you know!
FYI: that one is not a tree trunk, but a bridge!
2- Crossing by foot – without boots
Sometimes, this is the only valid option, in the case of a bigger stream (where option 3 is difficult) with no tree trunk available (so no option 1)
a-The Sage
The Sage is organized and has crocs for this very reason. Pulling his pants up, his boots laced together around his neck, he walks quietly to the other side.
b-The Fakir
The Fakir has no crocs. He usually starts very slowly, because naked feet and pointy rocks don’t mix very well, but after a few steps, when he realizes the extreme cold of the river and the error of his ways, he runs while squeaking and splashing.
Can you see how pointy those rocks are?? Be a sage, bring Crocs!
(or similar footwear, I am not sponsored by Crocs 😉 )
For this solution, you have to take your boots off. It’s quite annoying, believe me. You also have to pull your pants up. If you are a smaller kind of creature, like a rambling blue owl, your pants will get wet because you’ll accidentally put your foot in a hole and the water will rush up to your thighs. Happens every time. You also have to walk in water with cold-goblins biting your calves, which I don’t actually like that much. I’m not a fan of this solution, is what I mean!
Do not let that sunny, peaceful scene deceive you: the cold-goblins are waiting in there!
Still, it is quite safe, and sometimes, the only valid choice…
3- Crossing by foot – with boots
The Runner
The Runner doesn’t want to remove his boots (or just doesn’t like option 2 in general), wears very good shoes and gore-tex gaiters (like this Owl you know). The Runner needs to find a place where the stream is wider and shallower. Then, he takes a run-up and tries very hard to pull off a Jesus (you know, by walking on water and stuff, not by resurrecting or anything), and flies across the stream by jumping from rock to rock and running wildly.
Here, demonstrated by yours truly, with grace and elegance and all
(it helps when you blackmail the illustrator…)
This actually is my favourite way to cross a stream, but you have to face the possibility of having water in your boots for the rest of the day (yay! wet feet!). You may also have to walk a long way to find a good place to cross.
What is your favourite? Do you know a fourth way?
Good crossings!!