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A California couple was swept to their deaths by a flash flood in a southern Utah slot canyon, but weather officials say they were warned of the danger.
Rick Green, a search and rescue worker and guide, said, "I thought it was insane for anyone to go into that canyon during that weather."
Yesterday afternoon Kathy and Chris Chapple were exploring a Grande Escalante Staircase slot canyon along with six others when the flash flood hit. The National Weather Service had posted a flash flood potential rating of moderate all week and had warned of potentially heavy rain just two hours before.
The attorney of the group leading the trip, Backcountry Outfitter, issued a statement today saying they carefully considered the weather before setting out.
Guide and search and Rescue Worker Rick Green has led hundreds through the Grand Staircase's slot canyons. He works for a different outfitter than the one leading yesterday's fatal expedition but was one of the first to get the call for help. He said, "It's one of the most dangerous canyons we have in Escalante. For some reason I knew, I knew when I left here it wasn't going to be good."
Gordon and Kathy Chapple, both 60 year olds, had been exploring the narrow Egypt Slot No. 3 canyon with six others, including two guides from Backcountry Outfitters, when it started to rain. They hurried to get out.
Becki Bronson, with the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, said, "In all of this commotion the Chapple couple were separated from the group, and the water kept continuing to rise and was getting faster and faster and higher and higher. The six were able to get out safely but, unfortunately, the couple were washed downstream and drowned."
Getting out of the canyon was difficult for the entire group. Once you start the hike there are no exits for hours. The walls stretch up to 150 feet high and narrow to just 11 inches. Knowing what to expect from the weather is critical. The National Weather Service issues updates twice a day.
Randy Graham, with the National Weather Service, said, "Yesterday we had a moderate risk out, which means localized flash flooding may occur in slot canyons, dry washes and small streams."
The storm that eventually overtook the Chapples lasted 45 minutes and produced no more than 4/10 an inch of rain. Experts say that's more than enough to turn an afternoon of exploring into something deadly.
"I don't want to go outright and say somebody made a mistake, but it just seemed wrong," Green said.
The bodies were recovered by helicopter this morning. The six that survived the flash flood suffered injuries ranging from a fractured or broken ankle to a dislocated shoulder.
The couple's son and daughter were among the six hikers who survived.
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