We were doing a 50ac pond where the boundary was set on an 33' offset from a jagged line of pipes in this pond. The pond had ice on it and there was about 6-8" of snow on the ground. We were able to get on the ice and walk the edge of the pond. Ice was hard, temps yesterday night and then were about freezing. We found may 6-8' pipes and some we had to chop out a 6' hole in the ice just to stand them up to locate the pipes. We localized the GPS onto the rough deed line and had great luck finding 11 pipes that way, some were sticking out about 3-4' above the ice. We had to get off the ice at the dam and spend about a 1/2 hour locating the dam and shooting snow balls at beavers in the open water by the dam.
I got back onto the pond and it did not feel right so I told my IM not to get on and I got off. We needed to find 4 more pins, the back two which were important and on our back line. Luckly, we found one at the edge of the pond and woods and were able to locate it. At this point the pond was less than 200' wide and I decided to cross it and try to find the other pin which would have ended a great day in the field. In getting back on the ice I noticed it was grey not white anymore, but being over half way across we kept going. I notice the pin on land on the other side.
I said to my IM theres the pin, he and I both stopped so I could point it out, well I went in first up to my neck, as he truned to see what happened he went in. He was able to catch himself on the edge and kick hard enough to get back on the ice. I kept breaking through and going under all but my face. Finally I got back on the ice by rolling flat away fropm the hole. He came around to grab the shovel and pull me, but I said for hime to get the GPS and stay away. We both are the same size, but he's 25 years younger. We got back on shore, trudged through the snow and back to the truck changed what clothes we could and warmed up. Wlaked back in and loated the pin using reflectorless shots and called it a day.
I've been on ice all my life with trapping, fishing ect, but its the first time I almost went all the way under and hopfully the last!!!:-O
Wow, glad you're okay.
Makes me wonder what I would have done because I'm completely solo and no IM to help out. But then again, both of you went in.
Interesting how you said "Get the GPS". Isn't our first reaction always "Save the equipment"?
Hypothermia is insidious, it affects your judgment.
That's a TDD story if I ever heard one!!!!
Glad you're safe, but my estimation is you're too tough to go out like that with your boots on bro!
Gray ice and yellow snow: two things to avoid during the winter in the northern regions. 😛 :-$ :-O
I went through the ice once. I had a hold of a rope but I also was wearing a snow-mobile suit and it got heavy real quick. My brother and some friends were there. To be honest it was one of those "here, hold my beer and watch this" moments. We were just teens and none of us drank or anything back then so I can only blame it on dumb-A$$!! After they got done laughing and realized I was losing my grip, they broke down a small tree and managed to fish me out. How I didn't catch my death that day is beyond me. God truly must have mercy on stupid teens out in the wild trying to have some fun.
> That's a TDD story if I ever heard one!!!!
not exactly, Ted would have located the pipe THEN changed his clothes, haha
FLS-
Good you got to post to warn others.
I too, tried to walk on water in the early 1970s near Gowganda, Ontario.
I learned at -20F how long it took to get my voice back having gone in up to my arm pits through what I thought was very thick ice but hit a strange current thinned spot in the lake side when crossing it on a traverse.
Fortunately, I had a pole cut from a tree sapling to assist me getting out.
Not no more, never, ever !
Derek
scarey stuff....
Last Fall I was on a large acreage site, alone, and was wading a knee deep murky creek when I stepped into a hole and was shoulder deep instantly....
In the fall, I was surveying the flowline of a meandering stream/channel. I had waders on, and thankfully, help on the shore. The mud got so thick, I couldn't get myself out without help (a stick). If you're solo, BE CAREFUL! If it seems like it could be dangerous, even just a hint, get someone to be there with you.
