Drivers need to stick to marked trails on the Lower Kuskokwim River, according to the latest update from Bethel Search and Rescue’s Earl Samuelson. He spoke on "Coffee at KYUK" Wednesday morning.
“We drove down to Napakiak below Bethel and looking at the main trail, it was anywhere from 11 inches, and only one spot at 14, but average out probably 13 inches all the way down. But there were some things we had noticed right and left of the trails, the ice was considerable thinner," Samuelson said.
BSAR warns travelers to stick with the marked trail on the Lower Kuskokwim River. Despite colder temperatures, snow has insulated the ice in many spots, which means it can be thinner and unsafe. And Samuelson says that the current amount of travel is a major concern for search and rescue teams.
"People have started traveling earlier this year and that’s more of a safety concern for us," Samuelson said." It’s not really safe to travel, but they’re traveling. The markers are there for a reason and if you keep wandering off, you are going to jeopardize people who attempt to rescue you."
There is a spot in front of Oscarville that has only 9 inches of ice, which Samuelson says is too thin to drive a truck on. And in Napakiak, there’s a spot that’s only 10 inches, which is also unsafe.