Serious question about water crossings on the Pacific Crest Trail

I keep seeing people post about fording rivers without first checking the time of day... like crossing a snowmelt stream at 3pm when it's at its peak flow. Last summer on the PCT near Muir Pass, I watched a group try to cross a creek at noon and they got swept 20 feet downstream. Why do so many folks ignore the basic rule of crossing early morning when the water is lower?

2 comments

2 Comments

margaret_kelly5525d ago

Honestly I used to think mornings weren't that important but now I get it.

the_john25d ago

Oh man, I don't know if I buy into that completely. I mean, plenty of people get by just fine rolling out of bed at noon and still get stuff done. Maybe it's just me but I feel like the whole "morning person" thing gets hyped up way more than it deserves.