Four Rescued Safely from Chelan River Gorge

Gorge has fluctuations of water release to control level of Lake Chelan

by Dennis Rahm; images from Chelan Fire & Rescue

A group of six young adults from the Seattle area had been hiking through the Chelan River gorge on Monday when a release of water over the Chelan Dam late in the afternoon trapped four of them on a rock ledge on the north side of the river.

Chelan Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Brandon Asher said it was a race against darkness to get the young men out and avoid them having to remain trapped overnight. Personnel from the fire department and the Chelan County Sheriff’s High Angle Rope Response Team were able to make a ladder bridge across the floor of the gorge to ensure a safe crossing to safety on the other side. Rescue swimmers were standing by if needed.

Asher said it was fortunate they were able to complete the rescue just before darkness. Asher also noted the fire department has recently been engaged in technician rope training exercises.