The National Park Service said Daniel Chidester and Jesse Scaffidi were planning to ride a log raft down the north fork of the Virgin River in the park, about 140 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Authorities recovered the bodies Monday.

Family members told authorities the men set out Wednesday or Thursday and planned to hike into the top of The Narrows, then build a log raft and float to Hurricane, Utah, a distance of some 50 miles. The men failed to return from the trip Sunday as expected.

They didn't notify rangers about their plans , park ranger Ron Terry said.

The park service would not have issued a hiking permit in The Narrows because of the danger of high water, nor would officials have approved the plan to build a log raft, he said.

Submitted on 04/28/2010

Submitted by: Frank
Reference: Las Vegas Review Journal 4/28/10

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Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
These guys didn't check, prepare, or even try to find out the conditions here, they were not properly equipped or anything. I vote them in for this reason. Also here is a better more info story from the Las Vegas Sun: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/27/official-2-rafters-killed-in-zion-were-from-vegas/ In this story includes that they were not cold weather/water prepared.

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thanks, but we've already received this story a few times and one submission is currently at the top of the slush pile.

Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
What Bruce said. But you have a good eye, Frank; please submit again!

James said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
I guess it takes four mods to kill something! Thanks, Frank, but as Bruce and Candi mentioned, it IS a repeat! :-)

Kenneth said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Sounds like their testosterone overran any common sense they may have had...

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