Last night 2 canoes with 4 people in them missed the take out point at Jims landing on the upper Kenai and both wrecked on the first rapid below Jims. They had to be Rescued by the Central Emergency services and the troopers and the Refuge people.
Only two of the 4 were wearing life vests when this happened.
Everyone is ok, but as we are all thinking.
This did not need to or should not have happened.
These people had told their families and others that they were going to paddle up the moose river, ( moose river is a class I river with almost no moving water ) instead decided to change plans and paddle down the upper Kenai. ( From flat almost still water, to fast and cold water with hazzards a Class II in some places).
Float plan ?
Life Vests ?
Did not know the take out point?
On water that they were not capable of ?
What are your thoughts?
At least 3 agency's responded for the rescue, cost to tax payers?
Anouther thing is that these were my customers. I can't tell you how bad this makes me feel that these guys could have been drowned or seriously injured.
I make each customer sign a paper that they agree to wear the life vest provided. It even states that the highest death rate for outdoorsman in Alaska is Drowning due to not wearing a PFD.
Max
water on the upper kenai.
Only two of the 4 were wearing life vests when this happened.
Everyone is ok, but as we are all thinking.
This did not need to or should not have happened.
These people had told their families and others that they were going to paddle up the moose river, ( moose river is a class I river with almost no moving water ) instead decided to change plans and paddle down the upper Kenai. ( From flat almost still water, to fast and cold water with hazzards a Class II in some places).
Float plan ?
Life Vests ?
Did not know the take out point?
On water that they were not capable of ?
What are your thoughts?
At least 3 agency's responded for the rescue, cost to tax payers?
Anouther thing is that these were my customers. I can't tell you how bad this makes me feel that these guys could have been drowned or seriously injured.
I make each customer sign a paper that they agree to wear the life vest provided. It even states that the highest death rate for outdoorsman in Alaska is Drowning due to not wearing a PFD.
Max
water on the upper kenai.

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