[cwiz24]

According to the emergency workers, some parts of the river are only ankle deep, while others are much deeper and faster-moving--owing to the large amounts of melting snow still coming downstream. He could have easily crossed an ankle-deep river.

The one thing I wonder about is this: if he had so much outdoor training with the Scouts and with his father's trips into the wilderness, why wouldn't he have followed one of the first rules taught to anyone going to spend long periods of time in the woods: If you get lost, stop moving. Stay put.

Regardless, it's a miracle that he was found alive. His parents' nightmare is finally over.

[wideawake]

If you get lost, stop moving. Stay put.

Yup. (1) You're closer to where you were last seen.

(2) You expend less energy and therefore dehydrate/starve less quickly.