On Wednesday morning, the Alaska State Trooper post in Talkeetna was notified of a missing kayaker. Dylan Asbury of Boise, Idaho, called the troopers to inform them that his kayaking partner, Borislov “Bobbie” Paunovski, had not made a scheduled meet-up at the confluence of Disappointment Creek and the Talkeetna River. Asbury continued to Clear Creek in order to use a telephone to contact troopers. Paunovski had survival gear, including a dry suit, gps, and a phone, but attempts to call him were unsuccessful.
As troopers were preparing to launch a helicopter to search for Paunovski, they were informed that a fixed-wing aircraft had spotted him. That airplane was flown by Eric Denkewalter of Talkeetna, who says he and river boat operator Steve Mahay were scouting for the possibility of a water-borne rescue. Denkewalter is the Assistant Chief of the Talkeetna Volunteer Fire Department, and Steve Mahay has extensive rescue experience on the Susitna drainage.
Talkeetna’s wildlife trooper was dispatched by boat to retrieve Paunovski. Both Dylan Asbury and Borislav Paunovski were returned to the Talkeetna boat launch. Neither required medical assistance.
