SALT RIVER UNDERCUT TRAPS KAYAKER

"Upper-Upper" Section above the Route 60 Bridge: July 11, 1993

Volume 200 cfs; Classification IV-V

DESCRIPTION: The Upper-Upper section of the Salt River is a class IV-V canyon that flows through the White Mountain Apache Reservation. The Apache Tribe prohibits river running because of the danger, which includes numerous undercut rocks. On July 11, 1993 a party of three kayakers attempted this section. The flow was only 200 cfs; 350 - 1,500 cfs is considered the normal range. The victim, Jeff Birkenshaw, 38, apparently broached on a rock. He caught a throw line, but flipped and exited his boat. He washed into a logjam stuck in an undercut rock. Even though a rope was still attached to his boat, rescuers were unable to pull it loose.

The two survivors were cited afterwards by the Apache for making an illegal run.

SOURCE: Bob Reiterman

ANALYSIS: Details of this accident are sketchy, but rescues of this kind can be very delicate. When helping a person pinned inside a kayak or canoe, The rule is to stabilize first, and rescue second. Try to get a someone out to the pin site, or use a line to hold them up. And be sure that the angle of pull on the rope will not tend to capsize the boat.