Michael Huffman and Rochelle Renken, of Columbia, Missouri, died while trying to cross a river in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park/NPS HO
What was to be a week-long adventure in Wrangell-St.Elias National Park in Alaska for a couple from Missouri ended in tragedy when they were swept away while trying to cross the Sanford River.
Rochelle Renken and Michael Huffman, of Columbia, had planned a six-day backpack in the national park. They were reported missing on June 27 after failing to meet a bush plane, according to the park.
"Based on the evidence that was found by searchers, it appears that the couple attempted to cross the Sanford River near the toe of the glacier and were swept away by the powerful, glacial river," a park release said.
Park spokeswoman Margie Steiger told the Anchorage Daily News that the couple's bodies were recovered less than two miles from where they were dropped off by a bush pilot on June 22.
"The couple were experienced backpackers and Renken has been to Alaska several times in the past and had previous experience crossing Alaskan rivers," the Park Service said.
Comments
I was just at that park in June. Those rivers were huge. No way I would ever try crossing one of them.
It is a tragedy for their families and friends......but all the people who die doing something they love .....that is ...good for them...
so many people die on Everest...on El Capitan.....certainly the Pacific Crest Trail....i think of Eric Tabarly the famous french sailor....he never wanted to use a harness while sailing...and his family knew this......he was swept off his boat in the night....another man was doing a race on the mountain ...and died........they were passionate....