20 Tips for Better Scouting
Scout early and often. If it’s possible to look at any of the main rapids or gorges before you launch, do so. Scout any time you’re not sure you want to run something, including a blind horizon, a bend in the river, or a gorge from which exit could be difficult or impossible.
Position your boat for an easy launch. Point the bow toward the water, and put it on a beach or rocks where you can easily slide in. Make sure it won’t slide in without you.
Take care of business. Do all the things that need doing before you even go look. Get the water out and replace the drainplug, take a leak, have a drink and a snack, and grab your rope.
Wear your helmet and life jacket. They protect you from injuries and surprise swims, and make you more valuable in rescue situations. If you are hot, use river water to cool off.
Bring your rope when you scout. Someone else might run it while you are looking, and you can set safety when they do.
Watch your footing. You can walk, and you can scout, but you can’t do both at the same time. Walking, scrambling, and climbing on a rocky bank requires your full attention.
Use all your senses. The sound and smell of the river could give you information that is different from what your eyes see. Calm down enough to be fully present.
Scout every line. You may see an obvious line. Don’t stop there. Keep your eyes and mind open and look for alternatives.
Scout portage options. Consider the possibility of carrying or lining your boat around the rapid. What would it require? There is risk involved in portaging too.
Scout from many perspectives. Take a good look from the top, middle and bottom, and climb down to water level above any horizons. When you’re down at water level you can’t see what’s below the drop, so pick markers to know where you are while you are on land and have access from higher viewpoints. Getting down to water level will make it obvious if your landmarks are adquate, or if you need to keep scouting.
Scout from the bottom up. When doing riverside scouts, walk as far down the bank as you can until you have seem the whole rapid. Once you’ve determined how you’d like to finish, plot your line to get there.
Assess the risks. Notice the obvious, look for the hidden dangers. Pointpoint the unknowns. Determine how you can manage them.
Pick landmarks. For each stage of the rapid, how will you know where you are? Use specific rocks or water features to mark your route and trigger each move.
Count waves. In bigger water there may not be any rocks to help you orient yourself, but you can count waves to help you know where you are in the rapid.
Focus on water speed and direction. The most common confounders are water that’s moving faster than you thought, and water that slides sideways in the river. Look for the water to do sneaky things. Throw sticks in to see where they end up.
Recognize uncertainty. If are unsure of your line or your choice to walk or run it, discuss your options with experienced paddlers. Make contingency plans for whatever might happen. Plan B, C or D is must easier to execute if you know where it is.
Run your own line. You can listen to what others say but you alone are responsible for what you do. You know what you can do, and how you feel. Don’t assume that someone else’s read of the rapid is correct and yours is wrong. Look and decide for yourself.
When you decide to portage go ahead and do it. Don’t wait until after everyone else has run it to make your move, because then the entire group will be waiting for you.
When you decide to run it get someone to set safety for you. Ask for the coverage that makes you feel confident, like a rope thrower to keep you away from a hazard, or a person sitting in their boat at the bottom to offer a T-rescue.
Rehearse your line in your head. The last thing you do before you return to your boat is review of your plan A route. Stand where you can see most of the rapid and visualize your run from your starting place to the finish. I move my hand like a toy boat, making hand gestures to indicate each move.
Change your mind if you need to. You can decide to scout more, run or portage at any point. The moment of truth is when you either pick up your boat to portage, or get in it to run. Do the right thing for yourself and your group.
