Why Did Isildur Cross the River?

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by alatar

If it's the former, I'd think that it not only might have saved him, but aided his escape as don't the evil folk fear water, to some extent?

I don't think any race of middle earth is a fan of water as far as swimming is concerned - elf, man and hobbit all meet watery fates - the only successful swimmer I can think of is Gollum!