Very Rugged Country There are a few gorges where shore evac might have been tough/impossible. Granite domes makes rope extraction straightforward.
The 49 to Bridgeport section of the South Yuba is an iconic run, a local favorite and is generally seen as forgiving. 4 years ago it took the life of a Sean Manchester, who left a wife, 2 young children. Gavin's tragedy this week has awoken the pain and feels foreboding as CA snowpack is just starting to melt and high flows are soon to come.
Responding: North San Juan Fire, Penn Valley Fire, and Nevada County Consolidated Fire, California Highway Patrol Helicopter (CHP H-20).