The Chatooga, a wild and scenic river, forms the boundary between South Carolina and . It is known for it’s bizarre rock formations, including potholes and undercut rocks. On May 29, 1999 Rachel Troy, 16, and her boyfriend attempted to wade across the Chatooga River just 20 feet upstream of Raven Rock Rapid. The river was running low, at 1.2 feet, but despite this the pair lost their footing and were swept into the rapid.  Ms. Troy washed into an undercut rock where she became pinned in a pothole under eight feet of water. Her boyfriend, who survived the swim, borrowed a PFD from nearby boaters and began a series of heroic rescue attempts. On his last try he dislocated his shoulder.

NOC Personnel responded, but their guides could not reach her. Several area rescue squads worked for days but were unable to touch, much less release, her body. Search dogs confirmed that the body was there, and an underwater camera was used to pinpoint her location.

The girl’s distraught parents applied considerable political pressure to continue the recovery efforts. They collided head-on with defenders of this Wild and Scenic River who wanted to make certain that the area would not be damaged during the rescue attempts. In late June, following intense pressure from South Carolina Senators Strom Thurmond and Ernest Hollings, a portable dam was carried into the gorge and erected to divert the water. This involved drilling a number of small holes into the riverbed. Dennis Kerrigan, a rescue instructor and extrication expert, was flown down from Maine to assist. The effort was not successful, and a second, larger dam was prepared. In late July, before the second dam could be deployed, Rachel’s body disappeared. Bones found at the site were tentatively identified as hers.

SOURCES: Dennis Kerrigan; Anne Sondheimer, at NOC Chatooga Outpost; Asheville, NC Citizen-Times

ANALYSIS: (Walbridge) Stream crossings hold real risks for hikers. It’s often impossible to approach, much less help, a person pinned in the middle of a strong rapid.