Comments

Anna wrote on Dec 13, 2011 11:41 PM:

" We went a weekend with family and friends. One minute we where having a good time next I was getting dragged down the river. Luckily my husband thought quick ran to the other ride and snatched me up. Thank God for if it wasnt for him I would be one of this stories. It was the scariest thing ever, I tried grabbing on to trees and rocks. I just kept slipping farther down the river. We havent gone back since, I love camping there but its really dangerous. They need to do something to let everyone including myself how dangerousitreallyis "




lorena gamboa wrote on Sep 6, 2011 2:32 PM:

" Many of you said it right .You NEVER think it could be you or anyone you know especially a loved one(my son) 5 years ago on the 4th of September . IHe drowned at Salmon Falls which I later found out is deadly as many other parts of the river . Yes there is a sign with the head count however that sign is not enough ! Something has to be done .There is more emhasis on saving animals. "




Sandra wrote on Aug 25, 2011 12:57 PM:

" I went camping 2 years ago with some friends it was one of the nicest 4th of July weekends I've had. We were about to leave when they decided to go around to the other side of the river because some other friends were there, one wrong step and my friend slipped into the river it swept her away she almost drowned. Thank GOD they saved her. this 4th of July the guys went back, one of them wasn't so lucky. May he rest in peace, GOD be with his loved ones and friends. "




Emelly wrote on Aug 2, 2011 8:54 AM:

" Please If You Guys Can Pray For These People Gone Missing. I Recently Had A Friend Missing Since Last Tuesday On This River And We Want To Promote The Dangers Of This River And For People To Take Precaution When They Are In This River. If You Can Please Visit Our Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Pray-For-Ivan-Gameros/228275403882317 "




Punisher wrote on Jul 27, 2011 7:58 PM:

" No,No people!Posting graphic pictures will not solve any of these unfortunate events.It is simply not the solution. It will require your vehicle (car,motorcycle/bicycle/skateboard
etc.)to have pictures of decapitated, bleeding, broken bones people right where you can see them each time you get on any mean of transportation we use.Is that going to stop you from driving/riding it? It is mother nature that has to claim some souls.Even with laws and safety measurements, there are more casualties on public roads than there have been on rivers and beaches together. Let's just be careful and don't challenge mother nature (GOD). "




irma Aguilar wrote on Jul 23, 2011 12:48 AM:

" josselyn guardado I'm sorry for your loss... my brother Moises Aguilar was taken bye the current too..our lives have changed in a few seconds...never think it will never happen to you ...even if you wear life jackets that doesn't save you..the only thing that saves you is keeping out of the river.... "




Graphic Photos wrote on Jul 19, 2011 11:13 PM:

" Just as they are putting graphic photos of dying people and black lungs on cigarette cartons, we should require posters of drowned bloated bodies right next to the tubes and rafts on display in our local stores -- and in the Sun right next to goofy photos of people taking the river on swans. "




john wrote on Jul 19, 2011 4:23 AM:

" TG thats what you get for assuming. you know what happens when you assume. "




Long Tom wrote on Jul 18, 2011 8:47 PM:

" John S. you may be confusing "undercurrents" with "hydraulics"

I quit kayaking when I nearly drowned in Idaho two decades ago. In those "calm" streches between rapids, I struggled to keep my head above water to breathe, even with a kayak vest. "




John Sweetser wrote on Jul 13, 2011 1:36 PM:

" Regarding additional comments about undercurrents posted by "Lee" and "river run," maybe they didn't notice I had referred to non-existent undercurrents in CALM SECTIONS.

Undercurrents in rapids do exist because water plunges downward over rocks. But nothing would causes the current to plunge downward in a calm section that has no gradient.

By the way, the sign at the canyon entrance tallies drownings since 1968, not 1958 as one person wrote. This is only the toll in Kern County. The count would be considerably higher if drownings in Tulare County were also included. "




Punisher wrote on Jul 12, 2011 8:11 PM:

" These have been some very unfortunate accidents.I don't believe these people did it on purpose.We just don't think it could happen to us.Same when we have a couple of drinks and get behind the wheel.We don't think we can cause an accident but it does happen. In some cases innocent lives are taken.We all live in danger. Whether driving a car/motorcycle.Flying a plane or simply crossing the street. Are you going to stop living your normal life style?We simply need to be aware of the dangers and be cautious. We have to have lived a tragedy to change others reasoning. "




chris lindsey wrote on Jul 11, 2011 9:36 PM:

" I grew up going to lake Isabella and am now 33 year of age and I have seen so many meaning less deaths from the kern river..you can't take on that river without a good vest or she will suck
You down and if your lucky she will spit u out!!In 33 year have only been in a few time when the water is way low and in areas knee deep!last weekend i saw countless people jumping in without jackets and it was running really fast!!!
RESPECT HER AND U CANT GO WRONG!!! "




Rafter062811 wrote on Jul 11, 2011 5:40 PM:

" Josselyn Guardado - I am so sorry for your loss. "




josselyn guardado wrote on Jul 11, 2011 4:42 PM:

" people wear a life jacket and be aware of the currents. if you are drunk dont evn dare take a step into the water. my father amilcar guardado was swept away because of the current so plz be CAREFUL!!!! "




river run wrote on Jul 11, 2011 2:42 PM:

" those who say there is no under current are idiots, the bottom of any deep river is faster than the surface, add in submerged boulders and u now have a turbulent force that will pull you down< iv seen decent rafts rolled into a ball and held on the bottom on a part of the river that was not on a steep decline, this is a killer river even when the cubic feet per minute is low "




C Pickel wrote on Jul 11, 2011 9:16 AM:

" The Kern River is running at a high, fast pace due to the snowpack. I love the Kern and will play in it again, but not at this level and never without a life jacket. We don't swim our oceans in a Hurricane or rip current, so why be stupid in our high rivers. My heart goes out to the families of the rivers 10 victims of 2011, now teach the survivors respect of wild water. "




tg wrote on Jul 10, 2011 2:47 AM:

" hylton yes it does say 200something dead... but it doesnt say it's from the river. i assumed the deaths were from falling off the cliff and it was a warning to drive carefully. "




Hernandez-Rivera Family wrote on Jul 9, 2011 11:31 PM:

" If you go to the kern river to camp. Do just that, don't be stupid and go river rafting even if you think you can handle it. Trust me five of my family members almost lost thier lives today when their rafts flipped over. Luickly they only have cuts and bruises but are alive. "




Kimmieb wrote on Jul 9, 2011 7:16 PM:

" I have spent the past 53 years on this river. As children we did not swim in the river. We played in the stream, as have our children. These past few years while th river was low fooled many people into a false security. Now they are over confident and yes, alcohol may play a big part in that. This year my 15 year old son will fish from the bank and will not go in the river, even with a life jacket. Better safe than sorry. "




Joke wrote on Jul 9, 2011 4:49 PM:

" With all these drownings it's just a bit irresponsible for the Sun to run a photo of someone going down the river on an inflatable duck -- even if he was wearing a jacket. The jackets are good, but they don't always save someone. Several years ago a judge from northern California drown while kayaking -- and she was wearing a professional grade jacket. "




Missing since July 2nd David Medina wrote on Jul 9, 2011 4:46 PM:

" The power of nature is beautiful and dangerous. These victims under estimated the calmness of the river. Some people come from other countries, rural areas, where the river looks calm and safe. I agree with River Bob and Keith Stephens about Common Sense. Unfortunately it's difficult for family and friends to put closure. "




Charlie wrote on Jul 9, 2011 10:44 AM:

" Leave the swimmers alone, As I have heard many times before this is "Natures Way" "




To...Hanalad wrote on Jul 9, 2011 7:56 AM:

" The comment Hanalad wrote on Jul 9, 2011 5:20 AM:" Morons. I too have been camping by lots of them for the last 3 years. Drunk, LOUD, obnoxious, and dumb. Total lack of common sense. Even if there was signs posted in every language, these idiots would still drown. Last year we saw a group of 12 young adults doing underwater beer bongs at 10 a.m. in the morning. After that, most of them went tubing. This year, We are all taking video cameras for memories of a society gone wild. " "




Hanalad wrote on Jul 9, 2011 5:20 AM:

" Morons. I've been camping by some of them for the last 3 years. Drunk, LOUD, obnoxious, and dumb. Total lack of common sense. Even if there was signs posted in every language, these idiots would still drown. Last year we saw a group of 12 young adults doing underwater beer bongs at 10 a.m. in the morning. After that, some went tubing. This year, I'm taking a video camera for memories of a society gone wild. "




sad wrote on Jul 8, 2011 9:53 PM:

" my son in laws cousin went for a swim today in the Kern River and never came up. Search and Rescue just called off their search for the night and will resume tomorrow morning. so so sad for the family! "




Lee wrote on Jul 8, 2011 4:18 PM:

" I dont know what pulled me under with my rafting co. supplied life jacket. Bet it was an under current. And the rafting Co. by the bridge offered to refund my money after I nearly drowned and ended up losing my lower left leg and all the toes on my right foot. What does it take peope? There are still bodys in the river from 2005 (and earlier , Im sure) When I asked the Rafting Co. Why arent we wearing helmets? Their reply was "WERE TOO GOOD" "




HyltonHiker wrote on Jul 8, 2011 12:54 PM:

" I think there is still TWO BIG SIGNS at the mouth of the canyon that say 257 lives lost since 1958 or what ever year it is and I believe its in spanish too!!oh and people look at the river to I dont think it even takes a sign for me to make a judgement that maybe that this river is a bit dangerous to swim in that maybe I should stay OUT!!! "




John Sweetser wrote on Jul 7, 2011 2:53 PM:

" "tg" stated:

>actually i didnt know what an undercurrent was until i started researching these deaths and even now i dont know if its possible to spot them.

"Undercurrents" can't be spotted lurking beneath the calm sections of the river because they don't exist. They are just a myth.

In all the years I've kayaked the river (since 1970), I've never encountered fast, mysterious "undercurrents." If they exist, I would be able to reach down with my paddle and catch them and scoot along faster than the surface water is going. This just doesn't happen. "




tg wrote on Jul 7, 2011 1:51 AM:

" lots of signs, actually i didnt know what an undercurrent was until i started researching these deaths and even now i dont know if its possible to spot them. i personally did not see any signs, as i said i swam in the hot springs and also where the water slides are, these two spots are about 60 or so miles apart from each other and i never saw a single sign. i am extremely law abiding and had i seen a single sign i would not have gone in the river. "




Krazy Kris wrote on Jul 6, 2011 9:41 PM:

" I wish people could read the signs! The jobs of the Search and RESCUE, sherifs KC Fire dept, and EMTs is to save lives not drag the lifeless bodies from the water on holiday weekends. I guess it is just sad that natural selection has to involve so many other people that are trained professionals to help the helpless. "




local wrote on Jul 6, 2011 8:38 PM:

" there are PLENTY of signs all up an down this river... I wouldn't be surprised if these accidents had to do with excessive alcohol "




COMMON SENSE wrote on Jul 6, 2011 12:02 PM:

" Why am I forced to wear a helmet while riding my motorcycle? or a seat belt while driving my car? but any person any age can go in the river or lake without a life jacket? I guess as some would say this is something we leave up to peoples common sense to decide. it's just too bad so many people don't have the common sense to stay alive! "




Monique wrote on Jul 5, 2011 8:21 PM:

" I went with family on rafting trip and I fell out on a class 4 rapid. Scariest situation I ever encountered and lets just say I won't be going anymore. "




camper jay wrote on Jul 5, 2011 4:23 PM:

" i too saw the family of 5 fall into the river at the sandy flats campground. i was 5o yds upstream fishing when i noticed them all near the waters edge and then watched in horror as they all fell in. im glad no one was killed because i can recall myself thinking about walking over and telling them its not a safe place to be only to cowardly mind my own business. i did end up helping the family, but a few words could have averted a near catastrophe. its ok to remind people to not be stupid. "




John Sweetser wrote on Jul 5, 2011 2:46 PM:

" Jane stated:

>A life jacket isn't going to save you if your head hits a boulder at 20 MPH.

Rivers aren't that swift. Recorded velocities faster than 11 mph are extremely rare. Even if Isabella Dam broke, the river speed through the canyon would be maybe 10 mph.

Billy Budd stated:

>Its one of the wildest rivers in the country.

No more than many, many other mountain rivers. Actually, most Sierra rivers are steeper than the Kern. The problem is that the Kern is a mountain river highly accessible to the public. "




Sandy Flats Camper wrote on Jul 5, 2011 2:27 PM:

" I was camping at Sandy Flats the weekend of the 4th. I saw a family of 5 go to the rivers edge within 10 minutes of parking their minivan. 3 kids a mom and a dad. I was cooking breakfast from the far left campsite when i start to hear horrifying screams. All but the mother is floating down the river. I start running down the campsites and yelling people are in the water. Luckily every able body was trying to help. Right before the campsite ended they were pulled from the marshes. stupid people "




DAVE wrote on Jul 5, 2011 12:46 PM:

" So sad this 4th of July, my family witness
2 of the floating bodys and yet people and and children still continued to play as if it could not happen to them, dont know what to think? is the heat so bad to wanna take a chance just to cool down? It felt like a seen of the Twilight Zone, Sheriffs get there, rescue gets there and then come back to recover more bodys like its a natural occurrence. "




Anthy Hellmers wrote on Jul 5, 2011 11:14 AM:

" As an EMT for my state of CT and a home owner in Lake Isabella, CA, my only suggestion is that someone sell life jackets at the opening of the dam canyon road and on the other end off the 14. There still leaves the road through Caliente?

In CT there is a $150 fine for not wearing a jacket on water for swimming, boating, or whatever reason. "




River guide wrote on Jul 5, 2011 10:00 AM:

" Wow, it is hard to believe that with all the signage in Spanish and English, that people can say they did not know the river was dangerous to swim in. Now wanting to destroy the natural beauty by installing signs every few hundred feet along the river banks. I even talked to a family putting in at the powerplant and told them not to tube unless they were willing to die and they still were going to go. The next run down we found their tubes at ewings but no sign of them. I hope they made it out alive. "




mike wrote on Jul 5, 2011 9:40 AM:

" if people opened their eyes, there is a brown information sign about 4ft by 4ft at every forest service campground on the upper and lower kern and at the BLM sites on the lower kern, that have obvious signs that warn of the rivers danger. they are aimed at all river users and campers in that location. as a river guide here on the kern, i see these signs everyday i work. they are written in plain english AND espanol! "




Shair wrote on Jul 5, 2011 9:24 AM:

" River Bob is so right! You don't need a sign or a college education;LOOK at this river - mother nature at her best and worst! We rafted it many times, and took a professionally-guided rafting trip this weekend. Lifevests and helmets REQUIRED! Look at all the people along the riverbanks unprotected and all the little children - HELLO PARENTS - wake up!!! "




lots of signs wrote on Jul 5, 2011 9:06 AM:

" Yes, Cal, the river is deceiving. And tg, there are numerous signs all the way up the canyon that say to stay out of the river. And, if you swim in the ocean, you DO know what an undercurrent is, don't you? How can even just look at the river and think it may be safe? Rafters and kyackers are experienced....anyone who goes into that river without a guide is just palin ignorant. "




CAL wrote on Jul 5, 2011 7:37 AM:

" I swam in that river, and was swept away. I was lucky and was able to grab a branch and hold on to it until my party came to rescue me with a rope. I will never go back. People riding on rafts or tubes think they are safe with vest and helmets, but they are risking their lives as-well. Unfortainately when people are on vacation they lower their guard. The River is deceiving...BEWARE "




Billy Budd wrote on Jul 5, 2011 5:53 AM:

" The Kern River is very dangerous. Its one of the wildest rivers in the country. Living here I know that people are going to die here, its just a part of the summer months.
Theres really nothing that can be done about it.
Its disheartening to be sure, and extremely sad for thier familes, but signs don't work. "




Tamas wrote on Jul 4, 2011 6:36 PM:

" Riverbob. That's simply not true. There are parts of the river looking deceptively peaceful and calm for the inexperienced. And there are parts which are indeed relatively safe for a good swimmer, even now. The problem is that a few yards away the dangerous zone starts. The matter of life or death could depend on those few yards. That's where people are swept away by the water.
And this is certainly not obvious for someone not familiar with the river. "




mike mina wrote on Jul 4, 2011 4:59 PM:

" we were there this weekend in the spot were they took Mr.guardado out of the river. it was a good reminder of how dangerous the river can be. the water doesnt look as strong as it actually is. the rangers and sheriffs did a great job at responding and being professionals at the scene.unfortunately they could not revive him but it looked to me they gave 110 percent.our thoughts and prayers are with the family of mr. guadado. "




tg wrote on Jul 4, 2011 3:12 PM:

" And I swam in a river by a hotspring, by the whitewater rafting place, and in the waterslides, and not once did i see any signs that said danger or keep out or that you need to wear a life vest. Again, I am used to pools and beaches and was unaware that it was normal to wear a life vest when swimming in a river. Is it safe to assume that in areas where there are no signs posted it is safe to swim? or are we expected to use "common sense" which isn't so common to outoftowners "




tg wrote on Jul 4, 2011 3:10 PM:

" riverbob, not everyone grew up by a river and believe it or not, rapids arent part of most school's curriculum. especially for people who grew up near the ocean, where the waves are relatively safe to ride, a lot of people probably look at the river and think it looks harmless. One of the people who died was swimming in a part of the river that looked relatively still. I personally grew up in a city and did not know what an undercurrent was till i read these articles. "




isabella reader wrote on Jul 4, 2011 11:57 AM:

" I agree with river bob... If a person cannot look at the speed of the river, see that the waves are as tall as a house, see the rocks and boulders, and STILL not think that there is danger??? NO amount of signage will help. Even if the area that you are in is tranquil, you cannot help but pass turbulent areas in the river. What is above and below you is what is where you are at. It's the same water, and the same speed. "




Tiffany wrote on Jul 4, 2011 10:42 AM:

" Trust me! There is no lack of signs along the Kern river warning people of the dangers. Many of them saying, "Stay out of the river, stay alive!" I was there this weekend and next to the Hobo campground where they witnessed one of the bodies. I can't believe anyone without a licensed rafting company is going in that water. It's crazy! "




bob slater wrote on Jul 4, 2011 10:39 AM:

" well on sat am about 1030 am i was driving over the keysville bridge and looked over at "sliprey rock""area and saw at least 40 people standing on the rocks right at the waters edge.at least 3 people had cheep $5.00 pink and blue blow-up kids tubes in their hands.dont you know some of those people went into the river that day,i would bet on it.(think before you leep) "




Flatlander Update wrote on Jul 4, 2011 10:01 AM:

" Darwin takes 3 so far this weekend. Those who say they didn't see signs must have come down from Camp Nelson way. You can't miss the signs otherwise. We need to teach common sense as a 2nd language around here. "




River Bob wrote on Jul 4, 2011 9:07 AM:

" I cannot beleave some of these comments listed on thjis page. Where are peoples brains blaming drowning on lack of signs. Just look at the river and use common sense. What kind of schooling did these people have? Absolute stupid comments. Ya cannot trust the power of water! "




tg wrote on Jul 4, 2011 1:11 AM:

" When driving in I seriously thought that those 200 some people had died driving off the cliff...I even joked saying that they probably died reading that sign because a dangerous turn came soon after the sign... it didnt even occur to me that that death toll count was people who ere swimming in the river. I really think if they want to make this river safer they need to stop calling the tourists idiots for simply not knowing what might seem obvious to you and put up more warnings...clear ones, not ones that just "hint" at the danger "




tg wrote on Jul 4, 2011 1:09 AM:

" as a first time visitor to the kern valley i am shocked at the lack of signs or warnings in this apparently dangerous river. I went swimming in this river this weekend and not once did i stumble upon a "dangerous undercurrent" or "do not swim" sign...
i had to google information about the deaths this weekend to find out how dangerous this river is. Even the sign upon entering that says the death toll doesnt even hint as to how these people died. "




Irritated wrote on Jul 4, 2011 12:45 AM:

" "Can you hear that?"... it is the P.C. police that will soon be knocking down the valleys door to insist that we close the river. Why dont they stay
BLM (sorry guys) off-roaders have been dealing with this for years. Some people are justirresponsible or hardheaded; or some who choose to spend $25 on beer instead of a lifejacket(I've witnessed it) Tragically, it continues; they ignored HUGE, POSTED (Bi-lingual)SIGNS IN MULTIPLE AREA'S of the river; so while I am sorry for the families loss, it was a choice, not an accident. THE KILLER KERN~Remember that! "




Jane wrote on Jul 3, 2011 9:00 PM:

" A life jacket isn't going to save you if your head hits a boulder at 20 MPH. Life Jackets are better than nothing but they won't protect your skull. "




George Stahl wrote on Jul 3, 2011 2:04 PM:

" Each of those 267 plus deaths that are noted on the signs in the canyon carry with them untold family members. The people that have lost their lives to the Kern are the same people that would never even think of running into a burning building, or cross a busy freeway. The difference here is that there is no doubt about the consequences of fire or speeding cars. Part of the danger of the River is it's decieving appearance. Under those tranquill looking pools is an under current so strong it could pull a truck under the surface in seconds.Beware! "




Flatlander wrote on Jul 3, 2011 11:20 AM:

" Darwin takes two. Why would ANYONE get into the lower Kern with these flow rate? "




Keith Stephens wrote on Jul 3, 2011 11:17 AM:

" When will people learn to wear lifejackets?

Common Sense is the biggest misnomer in the English Language. "