Hope SAR urges people not to raft on area river after 3rd rescue of its type this summer

HOPE – Volunteers with Hope Search and Rescue are urging the public not to boat on the Skagit River southeast of Hope after yet another rescue mission linked to rafting issues in that waterway.

Hope SAR says it was tasked Sunday night with rescuing three stranded rafters on the Skagit River. Once it was determined that there were no injuries, and because access by land involved thick dense brush, rescue personnel decided that a Monday morning (July 13) helicopter extraction would be the best option.

Despite being stranded overnight, Hope SAR says the three individuals were in good spirits Monday morning. Their fire was extinguished and the rafters were returned to their camp at Ross Lake.

Hope SAR is urging people not to raft along the Skagit River southeast of Hope.

“The Skagit River is not in good shape for rafting right now. This is the third call Hope SAR has received this summer for rafting issues on the Skagit,” Hope SAR said. “These subjects had already portaged around two other problems on the river since setting off that day, but were met with a massive log jam that could not be crossed. They were able to bushwhacked to the sandbar we picked them up on but land access to the road can be quite far in places like this and the terrain is nearly impassable.”

Fortunately, the trio carried essentials with them that enabled them to call for help in a no-cell phone service area, and to keep themselves warm and safe during the night. Hope SAR learned that the three individuals attempted a self-rescue but called for help when they concluded they needed help.