Scouts wet, but OK

BUTTE — The elements conspired against a canoe trip Thursday as a high wind, strong tide and swift current on the Knik River proved too much for a group of Boy Scouts.

The Butte Fire Department responded to a call around 3:30 p.m. of paddlers being blown downstream of the Old Glenn Knik River Bridge by 20-mile-an-hour winds and the outgoing tide.

“We were on scene in about 10 minutes,” Butte Fire Chief John Akers said. “When we got here, they were already out of the water. Some were on the gravel bar and some were on the island.”

Mat-Su Borough Dive and Rescue Team arrived shortly after with a jet boat and an inflatable boat with an outboard motor. The team brought the Boy Scouts back to the public access point and then retrieved their canoes.

An on-scene assessment turned up no injuries, except for some bruised egos.

The group of Scouts hailed from Texas and Alaska, and was taking part in the Silver Sourdough Program, according to one Scout who was cut off by his peers before giving his name.

They spent the last few days hiking around Butte and planned to set out in eight canoes today.

The Scout leaders would offer no further comment.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.