Trinity Outdoor Club for Employees (TOCE) has scheduled a river trekking adventure trip this end of October (semestral break). The river trekking adventure trip will be done along Chico River, with the jump off point at Banaue, Ifugao and end point will be at Bontoc, Mountain Province. This adventure trip would be a 5-day hiking trip with an estimated budget of P2,500 (for transportation, food and other incremental expenses).
River trekking or river tracing is a form of hiking or outdoor adventure activity, and, in some ways, similar to canyoning or canyoneering. River trekking is a combination of trekking and climbing and sometimes swimming along the river. It involves particular techniques like rock climbing, climbing on wet surfaces, understanding the geographical features of the river and valleys, knotting, dealing with sudden bad weather and find out possible exits from the river.
Risk and Danger
River trekking has certain level of risk. There are occasional accidents in river trekking, including falls from steep cliffs or waterfalls, drowning, exhaustion, or getting lost. Risks that should be prepared for include the following:
First, sudden changes in weather, like rainstorms, can cause rapid rises in water levels and speed in the river. Also, the number of viable paths and climbing areas inside the river valley would be reduced suddenly in a very short period. Besides this, bad or misty weather would also cause low visibility. Low visibility may come in too quickly for trekkers to adapt to. Therefore, a torch (flashlight), preferably a head-mounted one, is a must for river trekking.
Second, steep cliffs inside river valleys require a certain level of rock climbing skills. However, because of the moisturing environment inside the river valley, some rock surfaces can be very wet and some rocks can be very loose despite appearing solid. To deal with such wet climbing conditions, a pair of professional river-trekking boots are strongly advised.
Damage to Stream Systems Caused by River Trekking
Due to the increasing popularity of river trekking, the activity has resulted in some damage to certain streams. The most noticeable kinds of damage are: (1) Rubbish left by river trekking groups, (2) use of aerosol spray paints to mark route directions on rocks and trees, (3) discarded climbing equipment and unnecessary bolting, (4) damage to trees and other flora when used as leverage by trekkers, and (5) graffiti written in paint, ink and correction fluid.*
Those who are interested to join may approach any of the TOCE members, Juvi Diente, Rudolph Racimo, Kitty Gorrospe, Jenny Vicente or the author for details. (*Reference: Wikipedia)
River trekking or river tracing is a form of hiking or outdoor adventure activity, and, in some ways, similar to canyoning or canyoneering. River trekking is a combination of trekking and climbing and sometimes swimming along the river. It involves particular techniques like rock climbing, climbing on wet surfaces, understanding the geographical features of the river and valleys, knotting, dealing with sudden bad weather and find out possible exits from the river.
Risk and Danger
River trekking has certain level of risk. There are occasional accidents in river trekking, including falls from steep cliffs or waterfalls, drowning, exhaustion, or getting lost. Risks that should be prepared for include the following:
First, sudden changes in weather, like rainstorms, can cause rapid rises in water levels and speed in the river. Also, the number of viable paths and climbing areas inside the river valley would be reduced suddenly in a very short period. Besides this, bad or misty weather would also cause low visibility. Low visibility may come in too quickly for trekkers to adapt to. Therefore, a torch (flashlight), preferably a head-mounted one, is a must for river trekking.
Second, steep cliffs inside river valleys require a certain level of rock climbing skills. However, because of the moisturing environment inside the river valley, some rock surfaces can be very wet and some rocks can be very loose despite appearing solid. To deal with such wet climbing conditions, a pair of professional river-trekking boots are strongly advised.
Damage to Stream Systems Caused by River Trekking
Due to the increasing popularity of river trekking, the activity has resulted in some damage to certain streams. The most noticeable kinds of damage are: (1) Rubbish left by river trekking groups, (2) use of aerosol spray paints to mark route directions on rocks and trees, (3) discarded climbing equipment and unnecessary bolting, (4) damage to trees and other flora when used as leverage by trekkers, and (5) graffiti written in paint, ink and correction fluid.*
Those who are interested to join may approach any of the TOCE members, Juvi Diente, Rudolph Racimo, Kitty Gorrospe, Jenny Vicente or the author for details. (*Reference: Wikipedia)
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