The Pyramid

Because it rained recently, the Kongakut was murky and we douldn't tell how deep it is in the middle, so we didn't cross to the other side to wait for the plane. If the water was clear and not more than a couple of feet deep, we would have used the pyramid technique to cross. Carol showed us how to do it and we practiced on shore (without our backpacks).

One person faces upstream against the current and leans forward on a pole or stick. Two others stand behind her, holding onto her backpack and pushing her forward so the current can't knock her over backwards. Then three others stand behind them doing the same thing. The farther back you are, the more stable because the ones in front are partially blocking the force of the current. Everyone then moves laterally - slowly and carefully across the river.