I care about people recreating getting hurt or killed. I spent a good portion of my life trying to help them. It is a different level than a car wreck or similar events which are more common occurrences for me. I don't know why.
But the pressure of going to do an activity at a time mandated by a system of reservations /permits regardless of forecasts is pretty common. I'm sure if we learn about these people some will be experienced and should be able to mitigate problems. The planning for a trip like this is not spur or of the moment.
And back to the weather it is pretty amazing how much snow can melt with warming temperatures along with south winds and a little sun. Those southern exposures are being rapidly exposed.
The "commitment bias/heuristic" is powerful. I've had to do hasty body searches and launch my only SAR because of that pressure. It can forever alter your life, even without a reservation system or when everyone survives. Being in the "wilderness" knowing seconds count is very different than a car accident, at least compared to the 2-3 I stabilized as a avocational first responder.
I can only imagine the experiences & stories you could share, Middlefork. I've guided but not rivers and from the sounds of it you experienced a lot during a very key phase in American whitewater history. I'm not trying to call you old just know friends who guided in that same date range and the danger was more specific at that point.
California is experiencing the effects of warm rain on snow right now. I don't envy anyone with property along mid-elevation riverbanks there this year.
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