woolybear Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Be carefull out there everyone. I got a good reminder today of just how cold out it still is even with this warm up. Slipped out for a quick hike this afternoon and was running a little late to make it home before dark without a light on me. I decided to take the easy path by walking the frozen creek back towards home when I got on some skinny ice without realizing it. It doesn't look like much, but my feet never hit bottom and the only thing that held me above the surface was my pack getting hung up on the ice behind me in the hole. Talk about an eye opener. I had water up to my armpits, my cam around my neck got submerged completely but somehow still functions, the only thing that saved my butt was that dang backpack of mine. Fortunately where I went through was a downed tree under the snow I pulled myself back up on to get out. Let me tell ya....it wasn't easy as I thought it'd be. The water here is about 6 feet deep in the summer so I don't know what it is now but I'm only 5' 9". 'twas a cold walk home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 That is crazy, Matt. Glad you got yourself out. Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 That was my own stupid mistake. I should have used a poker stick to test the ice when I saw that threatening spot ahead but the entire creek to this point was rock solid.. The downed tree was my downfall with the weak ice around it and my lifesaver in the end to get out.. I ended up taking the long way home after this. Surprisingly my body adjusted to the cold pretty quick as long as I kept moving. Never a dull momment it seems.:eat: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Just goes to show how fast things can happen. Glad you kept your head about the whole thing. Some may not have reacted like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Somebody's watching out for you. Glad you're Ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Wow! You're lucky it wasn't -20 outside, you may not have been sitting there at the computer talking about it. Thank God for your pack and that limb that you were able to grab! I slipped in a pressure crack quite a few years ago and went up to my knees, that's the only experience I have with going through the ice. My uncle was 10 miles back on his trap line a few years ago and went through the ice completely. Thankfully he was able to break ice until he was able to get up on it and stay up. He was able to make a fire on shore and dry himself and his clothes out. Scary experience though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Glad it didn't end up worse. River/creek ice is a dangerous thing because of the current underneath. You might have 3' in one spot, and 3" in the next, you just never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Man what a close call. Glad you are able to tell that one Matt! We dont get too many ice walks this far south. Seen ponds go 4" or so but thats been a lot of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Deffinately a lesson learned here in taking nothing for granted anymore. One thing I pride myself in is always paying attention to the little details of what's happening in the environment around me. Been doing this too long not to, but I did Guess I shot that right out of the water but will be wiser next time around in a situation like this. I can't get lazy.....period. Chalk it up to a momment of weakness or hurriedness. None the less, just plain scary that gives ya a new appreciation for life. No matter what your beliefs, someones up there pulling your strings and no matter how hard you try there aint no changing the outcome.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I know the feeling! Glad you're safe and made it out. Here was my story, somewhat close to yours... http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103898 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 I know the feeling! Glad you're safe and made it out. Here was my story, somewhat close to yours... http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103898 Ya know Ben, I read your story just couldn't relate till now. Can't happen to me right...I'm to cautious???:1eye: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Ya know Ben, I read your story just couldn't relate till now. Can't happen to me right...I'm to cautious???:1eye: This is the exact reason I posted it. I am just like everyone else and think that it will never happen to me. I know my surroundings, I know I am smarter than stupid, I'm cautious, nothing will ever happen to me....until it does. Glad you survuved your experience, it's an eye opener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 ice is NEVER safe...glad your ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Whoa, that could have been bad. I do a lot of winter fly fishing for the steelhead in my area. I've gone in twice when it was below freezing outside, and fell through some shelf ice a third time...those all happened when I was a lot younger and didn't think things through like I try to do now. Yeah, like Chris said, ice on streams is nothing you should be walking on. Glad to hear you made it home safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 ice is NEVER safe...glad your ok i agree. i'm sure glad you guys are o.k. two pretty scary incidents. i think they are both worthy of sending them off to outdoor life's "this happened to me". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Glad you are ok Matt. River freezes up pretty good here sometimes and have seen it froze pretty darned thick at times, even though it is not very deep have never pulled myself to try to walk on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philray Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Glad your okay. You are one blessed man, it could have very easily turned out a lot different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 That could have been a bad deal... Thank God for that backpack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Anyone recoommend a good boot dryer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearClaw Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Wow, that's scary! Glad you're okay. Only takes a second... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Now we've got our own Bear Grylls in the forum...Glad you are ok buddy! I never trust walking on frozen creeks because the water is always moving which to me means unstable ice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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