A missing rafter was found safe and uninjured over the weekend.
According to a news release from the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, 65-year-old William Libby of New Meadows was rafting on the Salmon River with a group on a multi-day trip when he decided to be dropped off in the area of Dried Meat Rapids to hike the rest of the way to the pickup location at the Vinegar Creek boat ramp.
When the rafters arrived at Vinegar Creek, Libby could not be located and was reported as missing at around 8 p.m. Saturday night.
On Sunday, family members were taken to where Libby had been dropped off and began searching on foot while Idaho County deputies searched upriver from the Vinegar Creek boat ramp. According to the release, at about 1 p.m. deputies received word from other rafters and kayakers that Libby had been seen on the south side of the river near Johnson Creek Bar and had been picked up and dropped off with Idaho County deputies.
Libby told deputies he’d come to an impassable area due to rugged terrain and had made his way back down to the river where he was eventually picked up.
According to the release, he was out of food and water, and was exhausted, but otherwise in good condition and refused any medical attention.
