Thread: RSTH episode last night RIVER CROSSINGS

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

The best river crossing training I have had was with NZDF Territorials. We did swift deep crossings - crossing the Rakaia main stem, someone swimming a line across first. Crossing really deep still water with our packs INSIDE plastic bags as a floatation device. Rope belays for three man party. All much worse than RSHC. Civil defence, suspended stretcher crossing etc.
I am sure some of the ex RF guys here would have some really good advice on all sorts of crossings from all round the world, but for what its worth if I was with those Red Stag blokes I would have used a rope belay to get the team over.

Did a bit of military training myself back in the day. Unfortunately in this instance, we didn't have rope as it's not usually any need for it when spring meat hunting, and it was only a two man party. Plus, I'm not sure I'd have been happy floating a pack with $20K worth of camera gear in it down the river, even if we had a reliable plastic bag to encase it in!

I assume you flew the drone far enough down stream of where you got dropped off in the chopper to check for the swing bridge. Not sure if that swing bridge is still there as its a couple of years since I have been up that side of the valley etc.
Anyway good episode in some nice country.

Oh; and that tv episode the other night made my stomach clench a bit!

Originally Posted by 7mag

I assume you flew the drone far enough down stream of where you got dropped off in the chopper to check for the swing bridge. Not sure if that swing bridge is still there as its a couple of years since I have been up that side of the valley etc.
Anyway good episode in some nice country.

Yeah, the swing bridge was removed apparently, I've been told that DOC didn't want the liability that came with the maintenance and upkeep of it.