A Clarington, Ont. woman is dead after a solo kayak trip on the Bow River turned tragic Monday (May 22) near Baker Creek Chalets.
According to Banff National Park Visitor Safety Specialist Aaron Beardmore, the 25-year-old woman rented kayak equipment at Baker Creek Chalets at 6 p.m. for a solo paddle. By 7 p.m., her blue, abandoned kayak was spotted floating down the Bow River between Castle Junction and Baker Creek, which was followed by a missing persons report at 9 p.m. from chalet staff.
Parks Canada visitor safety staff quickly took flight via Alpine Helicopters to launch an aerial search of the river.
“We conducted an area search from Castle Junction upstream to where the kayak was found,” Beardmore said. “We had little daylight and had to move fast, but we slowed the search as we progressed to the kayak. We suspected the kayak had travelled farther than the person.”
Thanks to quick work in failing light by pilot Heinz Blatter, Beardmore managed to spot the kayakers’ yellow life jacket submerged on the outside corner of the waterway, about a metre and a half from shore, near an undercut bank.
“We first noticed some green fabric in the water, and then could barely make out the yellow fabric on the life jacket,” said Beardmore.
From the helicopter, rescue crews used GPS and landmarks to pinpoint her location, 400 metres downriver from the chalets. Once Beardmore was back on the ground, visitor safety officers Mike Henderson, Ian Jackson, Grant Statham, and Lake Louise RCMP found the body submerged, under a log, less than two metres from shore.
Beardmore said the woman was likely not an experienced kayaker.
“River conditions are at high water levels. At the location, there is a swift water current. Some of the banks are undercut, with sweepers and streamers,” said Beardmore, who also noted the water temperature was 4 C.
Lake Louise RCMP is not releasing the name of the woman after speaking with her next of kin.
Beardmore said the section of water is not common for accidents, but recommends the public educate themselves about risks on the water.
“At minimum, we recommend travelling with one other person. It’s good to travel in groups and have the proper equipment or training,” Beardmore said.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends after this tough end to the long weekend.”
