River puts the squeeze on rafter

Sun., Feb. 20, 2005

Virginia De Leon Staff writer

Rafters taking an afternoon trip down the Spokane River found themselves caught between a rock and hard place Saturday.

No one was injured when the cataraft got caught in the giant rocks of Bowl and Pitcher, a bend in the river with powerful, Class IV rapids.

But water rescue teams from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and the Spokane Fire Department spent several hours trying to remove the boat from the water.

The mishap happened at about 2:30 p.m. and involved three people, each paddling their own cataraft, an inflatable, pontoonlike boat.

According to officials on the scene, two of the catarafts were able to maneuver through the Bowl and Pitcher rapids, but one became wedged in the rocks located just below the suspension bridge at Riverside State Park.

The person whose boat was stuck got help from the others and was able to climb the rocks and reach the shore, said Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Walker.

Although none of the rafters needed medical attention, the Sheriff’s Office and the Spokane Fire Department teams stayed to help get the boat.

“If we don’t get the raft out of there, they’re going to,” said Walker, as he watched the rescue mission from the bridge.

And although the three people seemed like experienced rafters, he said, the rescue teams were better equipped to retrieve the raft.

Wearing helmets, lifejackets and wetsuits, at least a dozen people from the Spokane Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office climbed one of the large rock formations in order to get the cataraft Saturday afternoon.

Using a three-pronged hook tied to a rope, the rescue workers tried to snare the boat before pulling it out of the water.

A small motorboat also was used for the rescue efforts.

Dozens of people who came to Riverside State Park for a hike or to walk their dogs stood along the bridge to watch the scene.

Along with Devil’s Toenail, the Bowl and Pitcher rapids are among the most difficult on the Spokane River, experts say.

“This is a treacherous part,” said Walker, adding that it’s especially so after the spring runoff when the area is littered with logs, branches and other debris.

The rafters will not be charged for the retrieval of their boat, Walker said.

“This is one of those things that just happen,” Walker said, adding: “It’s not stupidity. It’s just part of the sport.”

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