Have you done it in late April, LW?Originally Posted by Lone Wolf
have you ever done it??
Irrelevant. Answer the question.
no. the month doesn't matter
. . . . . . . uh, ok, if you say so.
you've never forded. bow out. . . . . . . uh, ok, if you say so.
No, I won't because I've forded dozens of rivers some more treacherous than that silly little Kennebec, and I have canoed across the Kennebec, so I know what it looks like, and I did wade a good bit out into it (waiting for the ferry). The only reason I didn't go all the way was because I was with a few people, and I just would have had to wait anyway on the far side, so I took the canoe.
As you yourself said earlier LW, much ado about nothing. There is this weird irrational fear of this river that I can't quite understand, but whatever. Physically incompetent people die in rivers all over the place all the time. Sad, but things happen. Occasionally, a very competent swimmer gets into trouble in rivers such as the Kennebec, also sad, but just plain bad luck.
My friend, "Party Animal" swam it, where the AT crosses back in '89.
He was smart enough to put his pack in a big garbage bag and use it as a flotation device.
I'd say no big deal as I was there to witness it. (although, somewhat of a big deal as I didn't do it)
I forded it in 2001 in October.
Again, no big deal as I knew where to ford and knew it was not at a high level. (I'd seen it enough times to know by the rocks visible above the surface)
This guy probably knew what he was going to do, before he got there.
He wrote up a pretty good blog entry about it.
Too bad he hadn't brought along a garbage bag.
Didn't know he was attempting a Triple Crown in one year.
Good luck to him.
He'll probably have worse fords in MT, CO, WY and CA.
Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams
This persons boat was in tow by a police boat. We were shadowing at a short distance when they capsized, and immediately went to pick this person up while the police picked up the other crewman. One minute is about right for the time frame. The water may have been a little colder but there is not much colder to go from 40 degrees F. Another person might have been able to help himself, this guy definitely was not. As for fording when the water's warmer, that would be a different story. I wouldn't but It would not necessarily be foolish.
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
I think it's hilarious that the Whiteblaze search-bot found this, given that "fording the Kennebec" is definitely in the top-five most contentious topics.
W/o passing judgment, strictly for the benefit of newbs reading this thread, please know that the practice is discouraged by ATC, and (at least if you're hiking in season) the official route is via the free canoe ride.
I swam it below Harris station. The water went from an estimated 8000 ft to zero in less than a minute. 20 minutes later, it went from zero to 8000 ft again while we were lugging the raft. That's not a river to be trifled with, especially during the Spring runoff. This was in May. We were wearing wetsuits. Water temp was below 40*
He's fortunate he didn't drown.
In water, the more you work, the faster you get chilled. You survive in cold water by curling up in a ball and not moving.
Last edited by egilbe; 05-02-2016 at 07:26.
I guess that means that if you don't take the canoe ferry, you haven't actually hiked the entire AT?Bummer for Legend and his triple crown.
I'm not lost. I'm exploring.
Agreed, and thank you for posting this comment.
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
My concern is about safety, not one man's pursuit. We're constantly reminded that newbs read this forum. I'm not terribly concerned about the well-being of ultra athletes and their kind. Hiking Viking started a southbound thru hike in winter. He finished and did well, bully for him. But that's not an example that most folks should emulate.I guess that means that if you don't take the canoe ferry, you haven't actually hiked the entire AT?
There ya go, that will get you across the Kennebec... wade out to where it's over your head, jump in, curl up in a ball and wait until you get to the other shore, what would have been about a 60 second swim at most! Cyberhiking and Cyber-adventuring at its finest.
The story here is about an ultra athlete attempting a near impossible task, a task that necessarily involves crossing the Kennebec when no convenient canoe is available. This is obviously not advice for newb's. If a newb can't distinguish, well, that's good for the human gene pool.
The title of the thread is "Vancouver hiker swims Maine river on Appalachian Trail." They may not even read past the headline. Newbs don't know sch!tt about Triple Crowns. They do need to know that that swimming the Kennebec is not the norm.
But, it is an inspiration that many people can find motivating and we, as an adventure based community, should not be suggesting the choices like the Hiking Viking's or Legend's are irresponsible or suicidal, when they are thrilling, and sure, somewhat risky, parts of great adventures that others, with practice and preparation, can be encouraged to emulate if they choose.
And, I don't think there is anything in Legend's Kennebec river crossing story that would inspire anyone not prepared to think is should be done.
I'm not lost. I'm exploring.
in another thread I said he was lucky that he didn't cramp up and drown like a fella a few years ago who went swimming in the cold water of a pond...I stand by this.
His risk assessment was not calculated, and by his own admission he had not judged the section properly and left himself with not enough food and hadn't eatin in a day...stike one!
he mentions sign postings advising not to ford, he disregards, stike two!
40 degree water for what he says will be a 20 min ford his arms tire and began to cramp as he side stokes it. So he hits a fly ball to center field, and the fielder drops it so he gets on first base, safe at first!...shivering, naked and affraid by his own admission. He walks to his last resuply 1.3 miles for some of aunties home made cookies...home freaking run, he made it! But I still say he's lucky, 40 degree water is no joke! could be writing a completely different post here.
That said, I'm inclined to agree with peakbagger here, it makes for a better story when ya say things like "raging river, shivering naked and afraid.
Hmm. "... we, an adventure based community." That's the first time I've heard that one. I'd say that's pretty subjective and value-laden, and perhaps a bit presumptuous to speak for the rest of us with the royal "we."
There are solid reasons why ATC doesn't recognize speed hikes or derring-do feats like the one described in the body of the article. Why is why the official status of Jeff's TC attempt is irrelevant.
Again, I'm quite amused at this article even becoming a thread. That's what happens when you let bots cull content for you. Expecting the mods to stomp it soon, but in the meantime...
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