16 Scouting Mistakes
Ever since our Safety Series talk on Scouting I’ve been thinking about all the points that we meant to make. As with any subject, you just cannot fit it into an hour-long discussion. So here you go, more thoughts on scouting.
I thought of sixteen mistakes that people make in scouting. Can you think of more that don’t fit into these categories?
Not scouting. It’s common for groups to skip scouting because it takes time. This is unfortunate, because scouting allows you to learn to read water better, and to improve your lines even in familiar rapids. When you don’t ever look at the rapids, you’re more likely to follow someone or take the same line you always take, and you learn less.
Landing too far downstream. You may be able to get down to an eddy that is right at the horizon, but from that eddy will you be able to access the line you choose? Tis better to stop an eddy early and walk a few steps than to have to portage your boat back upstream so you can get across to the line.
Scouting too fast. It takes time to notice everything. Important stuff like currents, holes, eddies, undercuts, wood, boofs, and alternative lines can come into focus when you look for them. If you feel rushed, take a few deep breaths and make yourself slow down and look carefully. Careful scouting saves time by avoiding potential mishaps.
Scouting from only one viewpoint. If you scout from up high, you won’t comprehend the gradient involved. If you scout only from the top of a rapid, you may fail to see the line or a hazard at the bottom. The more different views you take in, the better your overall understanding will be.
Taking off your helmet or life jacket. When you remove your river gear you are less protected from falls and less prepared to help out with rescues as needed. Keep your gear on, and if you’re hot, dump water on your head and put the helmet back on.
Failure to carry your rope. If you’re walking to the bottom of a rapid to get a good look, you might as well have a rope in your hands so you can help out anyone who has trouble running while you’re looking.
Not watching your feet when you move on land. You can scout the river, and you can walk on the shore, but you cannot do both effectively at the same time.
Relying too heavily on other people’s opinions. You can listen to others talk about their plan, but when you pilot your own boat, you are responsible for your choices. Don’t assume that someone else’s read of the rapid is correct and yours is wrong. Look and see for yourself. If you don’t understand their line, or can’t visualize yourself acing it, there is probably a better line for you.
Not picking landmarks above each horizon. When you scout from above the water, you can see where things are, but when you get back in your boat you won’t be able to see over horizon lines. Study your route well enough to know where you are going using rocks, waves or other features that are visible to you from boat-level. For each steeper section you’ll need to know where you are so you can start in the right place. Get close to river level above each drop if you can, to know if your landmarks are visible.
Incorrect flow estimates. It’s not easy to guesstimate how much water is in the river. It’s probably more common to underestimate than it is to overestimate, but either mistake can be disastrous. Take the time to evaluate the flow and discuss it with your crew so that you are less likely to be surprised.
Underestimating the effect of constrictions. Even a little bit of water can develop a lot of power when it squeezes into a narrow channel. Pay attention to those narrow spots, knowing that it may feel quite different than the rest of the run.
Not admitting uncertainty. When you’re not sure what’s going to happen, you’ll pay more attention to your plan B, C or D. Overconfidence leads to embarrassment, because nobody knows it all. Admitting when you’re not sure gives the universe a chance to teach you new things.
Not tapping your human resources. Your crew knows things. Each individual can have information or insight that you do not have. If you don’t talk with them about it, you’re missing out. If you are overwhelmed or don’t know what to do, your crew can help you find and execute options that you may not have seen.
Not scouting the portage. Scouting a rapid includes assessing how to skip running it. Sometimes portages are easy and obvious, and people walk the rapid more because it’s so easy. Other times a portage may require some ingenuity, and it pays to look at it and think it through. Sometimes a portage is so hard that it’s less risky to run the rapid. Without looking, you won’t know.
Failure to put yourself back together before launching. If you emptied your boat using the drain-plug, did you put it back in? Where is your water bottle? Your rope? Any system that assures you that your pee zipper closed is a good system.
Watching everyone run before you decide to portage. It’s OK to portage, and your crew will appreciate it when you go ahead and do it. Watching everyone run before you make your move is a time-waster and proves that you aren’t scouting well for yourself.
