When the discussion of a rapid scout comes up, Students in our courses frequently ask for clarification, hoping to better understand the judgement behind the call to stop and scout, or to run an upcoming rapid.  The question usually goes like, “How do you know when to scout and when not to?  Its not like you can scout EVERYTHING you run every time…”

While scouting every rapid every time is an impossibility, experienced paddlers will regularly stop and scout some rapids, while just jumping into others.  The decision is not always an easy one, but here are five thought paths to consider when making the call to stop and scout or to go for it:

1)  When was the last time you were down the run?  Do you know the rapids?  How do they compare to your skill level and the skills of the other paddlers you are with?  Can you self-rescue or help others in case of emergency?

2)  Is there any reason to believe things may have changed since the last time you were down?  Has there been high water, low water or any recent changes you know of?  Is there potential for wood, debris or other river hazards to have accumulated in a particular “hazard” spot?

3)  Do you know of others who have been running the river recently?  Have those boaters reported changes or new hazards?  Did they have “clean” runs?  Or did they report new hazards or unexpected challenges?

4)  Can you see the rapid from top to bottom and visualize a clear line or is the view obstructed and you cannot see past the first move?  Can you see an eddy partway down where you can visually inspect further downstream?  Does that eddy have “an out” if you determine from there that the rest of the rapid is too big/ dangerous/ full of hazards/ a portage?

5)  Is this a river or rapid that has a known hazard spot or tendency to change with different flows/ levels?  Are you prepared to manage those hazards in case of the unexpected?  How well do you know the river or rapids at the level you are running it on that day?

 

Bottom line:  When in doubt, it is best to get out and scout! It is always better to scout and wish you had not, than to be in the middle of a rapid wishing you had scouted.  Happy padding and play safe from Sierra Rescue!!