Bobo wrote:

The Tumwater section of the Wenatchee is a class IV during this time
of the season (low water). The rafters were inexperienced and
unfamiliar with the dangers of this section of the river.

I've often been in a situation where I encounter rafters, tubers, or
other kayakers who seem unprepared or unfamiliar with the river that
they are about to go down. In these situations, do you believe you
have an obligation to warn them or give them unsolicited advice not to
continue; or do you paddle downstream as far as possible to get away
from the impending tragedy? I've had this discussion with a paddling
buddy before and it's his belief that we keep our mouths shut unless
asked.

I don't have such a blanket rule, but go on a case-by-case situation,
e.g, a group of adults vs. a group of young girls. If they were
adults, I might not give unsolicited advice. If they were a group of
young girls, I would probably say something. In this incident, I
don't know if I would have said anything since a father and uncle were
with them. Another "what if" question to ponder. . .

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/...rafting15.html
Teenager is missing after raft accident

Redmond girl, 15, is presumed drowned

Friday, August 15, 2003

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEAVENWORTH -- A 15-year-old Redmond girl was missing and presumed
drowned after falling from an inflatable raft into the Wenatchee
River.

The search in the treacherous Tumwater Canyon stretch of the river for
Alisa Belcourt started Wednesday afternoon and continued yesterday,
Chelan County sheriff's Chief Criminal Deputy Mark Mann said.

Police received a phone call at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday saying three rafts
were in distress about 1 1/2 miles west of Leavenworth.

The rafters included five girls -- three sisters, a cousin and a
friend, ranging in age from 8 to 15 years -- the 45-year-old father of
the three sisters and a 21-year-old man who is the uncle of the three
sisters, Sgt. Bruce Long said.

The missing 15-year-old is one of the three sisters.

Names and hometowns of the rafters, other than the 15-year-old, were
not released.

Long said the group had been camping in the area.

Deputy Matt Fields said the inexperienced rafters were not aware of
the river's rapids, which overturned two of the three rafts.

© 1998-2003 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Maybe it's just me, but I just can't turn my back on a fellow human being in trouble.

JAM