This driver decided to test their vehicle’s water abilities by attempting to ford the Carson River in Alpine County, California, earlier this month. Unfortunately the attempt didn’t go so well and the driver and passenger required a hoist rescue performed by the California Highway Patrol Office of Air Operations (OAO).
Lots of praise is deserved to the OAO officers who managed to get these folks out of the cold and swift current of the Carson River.
Fording is the act of crossing a river or stream at a shallow portion, whether in a vehicle or as an individual portion. Whether these people just didn’t realize how deep the river got or if they got swept off course is unclear, but they certainly got themselves into a pickle.
The Carson River Watershed is located east of the Sierra Nevada crest. The river runs for about 184 miles before terminating in the Carson Sink. The headwaters areas of the Carson River include two independent tributaries, the East and West Forks. The East Fork begins south of Ebbett’s Pass while the West Fork begins near Lost Lakes at an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet.
