Chauvin Guides International, Presidential Traverse Guide

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Presidential Traverse
Emergency Strategies

The Sleeping System & Miscellaneous

The Route

The Whiteout Navigation Plan

The Escape Routes

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The presidential traverse is a risky endeavor and emergencies are possible, how you deal with the emergency will depend on your group strength, weather, and location at the time of the incident. Here are some general strategies that may help you in your decisions or more importantly help you avoid an accident.

1. Let people know where you are. Make sure someone knows your planned itinerary before you leave. Also if you are carrying a cell phone use it to leave a message with that person if you change your itinerary. Tell them to expect a call about a change in plans so they do not assume you are in trouble when all you have done is changed your plans. The best time to call if you are using an escape route is soon after you reach tree line. The wind will calm down and you are more likely to get a cell the higher up you are. There are many places down low on the Presidentials that your cell phone won't work. Make the message short and concise to save your batteries. Some may scoff at the use of a cell phone, but the proper use of one can save time and reduce the risk to rescuers should something go wrong on your trip. It is a lot quicker, cheaper and less risky to do a rescue than it is to do a search and rescue!

2. Think very carefully before splitting your group. If part of your group wants to descend while the others want to continue make sure that it is a legitimate thing to do. Many times this is the beginning of a sequence of events that leads to an accident. Make sure that the group does not scatter or split unwittingly. It is important to keep the group together, in poor visibility that may mean very close together, but even in good weather you should stay within earshot. You started together you should stay together. If you have to split because of an accident do it with great thought. Each group should know the others plan and an estimated time it will take. Think carefully before the team splits, this may be the last time you can communicate until you all reach safety.

3. Don't let fancy tools and gee whiz gadgets cloud your judgment. A well-planned and outfitted team should be able to accomplish their goals more often than a team with poor planning and equipment. That means that carrying and knowing how to use equipment like cell phones, GPS's, plastic mountaineering boots, maps, compasses, route plans and other technological devices allow you to do things you would not do without them. Make sure however that you are not foolishly relying on technology. There is a fine line between being prepared and trained, and overconfidence. Just because you have a fancy route plan for example might not mean you should do the traverse from start to finish in a whiteout. Knowing how to use technology also means knowing when it won't help you or when it's just getting you into trouble.

4. Get a good forecast before you leave. You may even want to arrange to get a forecast while you are on the traverse. This is another use of the cell phone, be careful though your cell phone battery drains quicker in the extreme cold of the traverse. You want to keep your phone use to a minimum and only for good reasons. You can deal with the poor grades Johnny is getting when you get home. It is important for you to train your friend or loved one who you are getting your weather info from to be prepared and concise. Your cell phone is a now a mountaineering tool not a convenient appliance, "can the chit chat".

5. Finally, be fit. Physical and mental toughness is what is required to do a traverse and to deal with problems on a traverse. Make sure you know what you are capable of, it is easy to underestimate the traverse and overestimate your abilities. The Presidential Traverse will test you.

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