rstory

I was out there during the snow storm. Conditions were definitely challenging. The portages were slick and treacherous in sections that were snow covered. By the end of the day I was getting wet even with proper gear. I thankfully was headed out. If he didn’t have the ability to start a fire, he definitely would be feeling hypothermic. Glad he’s safe.

Glad he decided to rent the communication device and used it. Hope we get a few more details.

Here is a little more detail, but still curious about where he was... Obviously St Louis County, but hope we can hear some more.

Man Rescued

Update: it was on Nina Moose.

Nina Moose Rescue

I have learned by experience and mistakes. You go into the BWCA, especially this time of year and especially alone, be prepared as the motto goes.

One of my early mistakes was poor quality rain gear. In weather like this you better have the best. I had leaky raingear in the past and suffered.

Also make sure you have a good sleeping bag and tent and double bag them for waterproof while canoeing. A good sleeping bag is a good retreat when all else fails.
Yes neoprene gloves can be awesome at times also.

The weather this week is going to be miserable, think twice about what your plans are going to be.

Yes, also the man sounds like he did the right thing in calling for help. Glad your find.
Glad he is Okay and support are first responders and others.

I wonder how much that rescue cost the man. Just curious. I have a Garmin with SOS. If I thought I were going to die, I would not hesitate to flip the switch! You can get insurance to cover incidents, but I have never studied the cost/benefit of purchasing it.

I don't know what the cost of hitting the button is, but as for the rescue itself, zero. Anyone can help out Search and Rescue with
donations, however.

I have had a Spot since they first came out. I also take out the insurance. It is only $12.00 per year and that covers a medivac out if you need it. As others have said, the "rescue" is not charged, however, the ambulance or medivac ride from where the rescue personnel take you is.

It always amazes me that people will not pay $12 per year for emergency evac insurance while eating fast food meals all the way up and back costing more then the insurance.

Pinetree: "I have learned by experience and mistakes. You go into the BWCA, especially this time of year and especially alone, be prepared as the motto goes.

Yep. I've driven north in mid/late October several times with the intention of going on a solo and my gut based on weather and what not told me stop in the cities and hang out with old friends for the trip instead.

Your gut is usually a pretty good tell on whether you should be going on a trip or not.

ockycamper:
It always amazes me that people will not pay $12 per year for emergency evac insurance while eating fast food meals all the way up and back costing more then the insurance.

I had no idea it was so cheap. From whom do you buy it? I only looked briefly at the SOS international insurance or some such.

I would happily pay $12 per year.

"...from deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness..." "...at Nina Moose Lake..."
STrib writer feeling the need to add a bit of drama, eh.

schweady: ""...from deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness..." "...at Nina Moose Lake..."
STrib writer feeling the need to add a bit of drama, eh.
"

I noticed that as well. If Nina Moose Lake is deep into the BWCAW, we need to recalibrate the advice we give people when they ask about where they can go that's deep into the wilderness.

TechnoScout: "

ockycamper:
It always amazes me that people will not pay $12 per year for emergency evac insurance while eating fast food meals all the way up and back costing more then the insurance.

I had no idea it was so cheap. From whom do you buy it? I only looked briefly at the SOS international insurance or some such.


I would happily pay $12 per year."

Click on the link below to read more about the rescue plan prices. It would depend on your plan on the cost.
I currently have the insurance for my Garmin InReach Explorer plus unit. The company that does the rescue insurance for Garmin is GEOS. GEOS Search and Rescue Resources costs $24.95 USD/Year. Just remember that this is insurance for you only. Of course you still can call for a SOS for another person with your InReach, but that person will be responsible for any costs of rescue not you. The insurance I have will be good almost anywhere in the world I go. Besides has anyone priced out a Medevac helicopter ride lately? And then there is the worry of rescue in another country. You would have no idea if they would charge you for a rescue. Could be thousands in some countries. It would be the last thing you would think about until needed. $2.00 a month is just a no brainer for this.

Here is a link to read more about the rescue insurance GEOS

You can get the GEOS insurance for $12 when you take out a Spot subscription. It is a little more to add it later, but not much. Well worth the money.

I don't just use the Spot in the BWCA. I take it hunting, hiking, kayaking, etc.

Pinetree: "I have learned by experience and mistakes. You go into the BWCA, especially this time of year and especially alone, be prepared as the motto goes.

I was just up there alone this past week, and cut a trip short to leave on Saturday during the snow than on Sunday, _just in case_. Good for him for using his SPOT, good for him for wanting to return with better gear someday. Take it slow and easy when alone up there in cold weather (and slow and easy when you're alone up there in general, anyway).

I did winter prep chores in shorts a week ago Friday. On Saturday, a friend and I donned blaze hats and walked in t-shirts on a ten-mile round trip to a favorite lake (met very cordial grouse hunters along the way ;) ). Along the way, we made plans for one final paddling trip into the wilderness this past week, weather willing. It wasn't. Several inches of slushy cold as we paddled out. There may be one more paddle before the water gets hard but the upcoming ten days don't look too likely.

Since I don’t know the circumstances I’ll only mention that I wish I knew the full story. Beyond that I will reiterate how important it is to be prepared for water immersion and cold weather. I have to wonder what gear this guy had with him?

schweady: ""...from deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness..." "...at Nina Moose Lake..."
STrib writer feeling the need to add a bit of drama, eh.
"

Awww, cute!

I'm so glad we skipped our trip into VNP this past weekend! Burrr...

Instead, I got to sleep in my toasty warm bed!

Heading in solo on Thursday.

I go every year just before the ice and I have some great stories about my experiences. It is definitely very challenging at times trying to stay ahead of the ice. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.

Most people think it's absurd to go camping this time of year, I find it exhilarating. It's a matter of perspective of how you find joy.

Something most people don't think too much about: It's really hard to visually stay on a portage trail when there is snow on the ground. Almost a little scary at times. I only go to places I know very well. Also, I don't have to compete for open campsites. :)

Tom

ockycamper: "I have had a Spot since they first came out.

It always amazes me that people will not pay $12 per year for emergency evac insurance while eating fast food meals all the way up and back costing more then the insurance."

I do this as well. I’d hate to have to not request an emergency rescue for fear of the cost.

I just ran across this article on my own and came here because I knew it was being discussed. I didn't see if he was wet from the snow or because he swamped. Anyone know?

okinaw55: "I just ran across this article on my own and came here because I knew it was being discussed. I didn't see if he was wet from the snow or because he swamped. Anyone know?"

To my knowledge there has been no report of swamping - just pure speculation. There is no doubt there was a lot of precipitation (snow and/or sleet/rain) on Saturday.

Distress call

Rummel is fortunate to be alive given the combination of the backwoods visitor being alone, the lake starting to ice over and him having lightweight clothing, tent and sleeping bag in wintry conditions.

Even if he were strong enough to make it out on his own, Slatten said, Rummel would have had to carry out his canoe and gear, rather than make his escape on the water.

“The ice is now too thick for canoeing,” the captain said

That guy is an idiot. First trip ever to the BW in a snowstorm. With light weight gear.

I wonder if his outfitter warned him b4 his maiden voyage. Should name his canoe the S.S. Minnow.

But still I'm glad he made it out, and even more glad none of his Rescuers got hurt.

"once his hands became stiff from the wet and cold."

pro tip---between your two legs is a fair amount of warmth. I once dropped a glove on the trail while doing a battery change on my headlamp in -40. My hand that was exposed started to hurt in a bad way. That changed fairly quickly when it went right down the pants. Of course not everyone was happy with that move but it saved my fingers.

Tough not to rip on him being <3 miles from the parking lot, ill prepared and experienced. I know I have made some bad bad decisions in my life and gotten away with most of them. Glad he's OK. That would not be a great way to spend the end of time though I expect cognition would become fairly impaired by that stage once the core drops.

Ugh

airmorse: "That guy is an idiot. First trip ever to the BW in a snowstorm. With light weight gear.


I wonder if his outfitter warned him b4 his maiden voyage. Should name his canoe the S.S. Minnow.


But still I'm glad he made it out, and even more glad none of his Rescuers got hurt."

In one of my earlier statements your gear prep is much different than mid summer.

tumblehome: "Heading in solo on Thursday.


I go every year just before the ice and I have some great stories about my experiences. It is definitely very challenging at times trying to stay ahead of the ice. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.


Most people think it's absurd to go camping this time of year, I find it exhilarating. It's a matter of perspective of how you find joy.


Something most people don't think too much about: It's really hard to visually stay on a portage trail when there is snow on the ground. Almost a little scary at times. I only go to places I know very well. Also, I don't have to compete for open campsites. :)


Tom"

Tom, where do you typically go this time of year? Curious what entry points you've done and what your typical October trip looks like in terms of mileage/#of portages/etc. Sounds exhilarating indeed!

Is anyone else surprised by the amount of ice they encountered? I can understand that shallow area where the river opens up into Nina Moose - its only a couple feed deep and there is very little current - but the lake itself? It hasn't been all that cold, and isn't that lake at least 20-30 feet in most places?

In an effort to avoid more of these cold weather rescues/disasters might make some sense to update the permit video with weather specific warnings around rain, snow and cold. Anyone can trip in 80 degrees and sunny. I'm saying this having not seen the video lately.

Although it isn't plausible the snow lambasted his tent, here comes the lambasting of the man...

Jaywalker: "Is anyone else surprised by the amount of ice they encountered? I can understand that shallow area where the river opens up into Nina Moose - its only a couple feed deep and there is very little current - but the lake itself? It hasn't been all that cold, and isn't that lake at least 20-30 feet in most places? "

Agree. Seems a little over the top. But I wasn't there.

tumblehome: "Heading in solo on Thursday.


I go every year just before the ice and I have some great stories about my experiences. It is definitely very challenging at times trying to stay ahead of the ice. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.


Most people think it's absurd to go camping this time of year, I find it exhilarating. It's a matter of perspective of how you find joy.


Something most people don't think too much about: It's really hard to visually stay on a portage trail when there is snow on the ground. Almost a little scary at times. I only go to places I know very well. Also, I don't have to compete for open campsites. :)


Tom"

Cherish the struggle

Kawishiwashy: "In an effort to avoid more of these cold weather rescues/disasters might make some sense to update the permit video with weather specific warnings around rain, snow and cold. Anyone can trip in 80 degrees and sunny. I'm saying this having not seen the video lately. "

Well right now I think there is only self issue permits at entry points. You just sign a paper and drop it in the box.

BeaV: "

tumblehome: "Heading in solo on Thursday.



I go every year just before the ice and I have some great stories about my experiences. It is definitely very challenging at times trying to stay ahead of the ice. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.



Most people think it's absurd to go camping this time of year, I find it exhilarating. It's a matter of perspective of how you find joy.



Something most people don't think too much about: It's really hard to visually stay on a portage trail when there is snow on the ground. Almost a little scary at times. I only go to places I know very well. Also, I don't have to compete for open campsites. :)



Tom"

Cherish the struggle"

For BeaV:

The Quitter

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child,
And Death looks you bang in the eye,
And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle
To cock your revolver and . . . die.
But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,"
And self-dissolution is barred.
In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . .
It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard.

"You're sick of the game!" Well, now, that's a shame.
You're young and you're brave and you're bright.
"You've had a raw deal!" I know — but don't squeal,
Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.
It's the plugging away that will win you the day,
So don't be a piker, old pard!
Just draw on your grit; it's so easy to quit:
It's the keeping-your-chin-up that's hard.

It's easy to cry that you're beaten — and die;
It's easy to crawfish and crawl;
But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight —
Why, that's the best game of them all!
And though you come out of each gruelling bout,
All broken and beaten and scarred,
Just have one more try — it's dead easy to die,
It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.

WhiteWolf: "

Jaywalker: "Is anyone else surprised by the amount of ice they encountered? I can understand that shallow area where the river opens up into Nina Moose - its only a couple feed deep and there is very little current - but the lake itself? It hasn't been all that cold, and isn't that lake at least 20-30 feet in most places? "

Agree. Seems a little over the top. But I wasn't there.
"

Nina Moose is a pretty shallow lake. It's pretty plausible that ice would start forming pretty quickly first near the shoreline and then moving out to it.

I was going to Gabbro.
Was....

We're getting hammered up here in Duluth. Another round of snow coming on Thursday. None of this bothers me but if lakes are freezing up, that's a problem. Man I just don't know now.
I've been caught in the BWCA two times by ice. I always had open water going in though.
In my lifetime, the lakes have never started freezing up this early. I was out there around Thanksgiving once. Last year we started getting ice around Halloween. It's been in the low teens a few times already this past week. 11' in I'falls this morning. Ice forms real fast at that temp.

Gabbro is not real deep. Could this be my first ever cancellation?

@aldi1
My late fall trips are usually base camping with day trips bushwhacking to other lakes or walking through the woods with a compass. Sometimes I just paddle to other lakes or sight see back bays. Just being at a camp with a light snowfall and a nice fire with a cup of wine is about the finest experience I can ever dream of.
Tom

Had a friend who had to walk out one year and leave the canoe due to getting iced in. Lucky he had a land route to walk out also.

Glad this person was smart enough to push the button.

We were on a trip in the area over the weekend. Saturday had 10+ hours of very wet snow that melted on contact, then the clouds moved out and it got colder. We had a hell of a time keeping a fire going. When we left Sunday, ice was coming in on shallow areas.

I agree, glad this man was smart enough to call for help. Also glad he will and wants to come back to the BWCA. He will learn from his unsuspected situation and many of us learned also or have learned on are own or lucky if someone helped us.
Sounds like a man who loves the BWCA and the outdoors.

kona: "Glad this person was smart enough to push the button.


We were on a trip in the area over the weekend. Saturday had 10+ hours of very wet snow that melted on contact, then the clouds moved out and it got colder. We had a hell of a time keeping a fire going. When we left Sunday, ice was coming in on shallow areas. "

Kona, nice pic!

kona: "Glad this person was smart enough to push the button.


We were on a trip in the area over the weekend. Saturday had 10+ hours of very wet snow that melted on contact, then the clouds moved out and it got colder. We had a hell of a time keeping a fire going. When we left Sunday, ice was coming in on shallow areas. "

Wow! Beautiful picture!

Thanks missmolly...I have never read that Service poem before. I like it!

I was in the BWCA last weekend too. Same as a few here and the fella who pushed the button. I went in on purpose because of the conditions. Everyone should push their limits. It was harsh and it was beautiful. The line between those two was fine, fine enough to have an edge. I guess the fella not from here learned a lesson or some.

The sometimes numbing cold made me feel for the young-of-the-year loons left behind. They were living on the edge too. I'd paddle over to each I'd see, to give them some company. I'd say "quick eat more fish you need more energy, and strengthen your wings you need to leave here little guy!"

BeaV: "Thanks missmolly...I have never read that Service poem before. I like it!


I was in the BWCA last weekend too. Same as a few here and the fella who pushed the button. I went in on purpose because of the conditions. Everyone should push their limits. It was harsh and it was beautiful. The line between those two was fine, fine enough to have an edge. I guess the fella not from here learned a lesson or some.


The sometimes numbing cold made me feel for the young-of-the-year loons left behind. They were living on the edge too. I'd paddle over to each I'd see, to give them some company. I'd say "quick eat more fish you need more energy, and strengthen your wings you need to leave here little guy!""

I was up on Rainy Lake last week and I was thinking the same thing about the occasional loon I would see and hear. Eat up, friends, and get moving!

I was up Oct 9-13 and that Monday (the 12th) I discovered the hard way that my rain gear was not up for a soaker type situation. I was wet all the way through. I have camped quite a bit in the winter so I was aware of hypothermia risks right away as we paused for lunch and I started to cool down. Sadly for the rest of our crew that meant no stopping for me - we pushed on until we hit camp, and then I was able to change to dry clothes and warm up. Stopping in that situation made me immediately start to cool down and take on a serious chill. I can definitely see how someone from Indiana who had not experienced cold weather may have panicked, and also may not have had the awareness to select proper gear in the first place. I had everything else I needed with me to warm up, aside from the crappy rain gear. And at the time we were just a portage away from Caribou, coming from Winchell, which is really pretty much a hop skip and a jump out. I am pretty shocked at the ice forming so quickly after our visit.

I always try to put myself in situations like these to see what I would have done. Like an earlier poster said, sometimes you check the weather and do a gear inventory and decide to just stay put and not go out.

Do people take risks that they shouldn't because of these devices?

Chieflonewatie: "Do people take risks that they shouldn't because of these devices?"

I definitely wonder if that is what happened here. The weather report should have been pretty clear by that point and his selection of gear was not up to snuff, aside from the device.

Chieflonewatie: "Do people take risks that they shouldn't because of these devices?"

Possibly, but you can argue that they take risks they should because of these devices as well. If that isn't the case, where do you draw the line? Lighters? Matches? Propane Stoves? Tents? Rain Gear?

What happened to the guy's gear and canoe? When you get rescued, do they haul your gear out too or was that left behind?

A1t2o: "What happened to the guy's gear and canoe? When you get rescued, do they haul your gear out too or was that left behind?"

The article stated that the outfitter who he rented the gear from went in and picked things up.
The St Louis County SAR does not back haul your gear out if I remember correctly.

Its clear that mistakes were made, but I have also made mistakes on every trip. I am glad that he was not so proud that he refused to call for help.

One thing I'm always worried about with danger is if I'd be brave enough to call for help when I needed it. It would be easy to try to self-rescue instead of suffering the humiliation of needing to be rescued.

Imagine a scenario where you capsize in late May/early June. The packs and canoes are blown to the far side of the lake. You swim to the near side, with only your emergency kit in a life jacket pocket. As you try to start a fire, you recognize the signs of hypothermia - shivering, confusion, fumbling hands. Do you use the Spot device now, or do you wait, trusting in the fire being enough to warm you up, dry your clothing, and let you walk around the lake and retrieve the canoe and packs?

I am reminded of Dave Nessia's experience in season 3 of Alone and how quickly hypothermia messed with his judgement.

dasunt: "One thing I'm always worried about with danger is if I'd be brave enough to call for help when I needed it. It would be easy to try to self-rescue instead of suffering the humiliation of needing to be rescued.


Imagine a scenario where you capsize in late May/early June. The packs and canoes are blown to the far side of the lake. You swim to the near side, with only your emergency kit in a life jacket pocket. As you try to start a fire, you recognize the signs of hypothermia - shivering, confusion, fumbling hands. Do you use the Spot device now, or do you wait, trusting in the fire being enough to warm you up, dry your clothing, and let you walk around the lake and retrieve the canoe and packs?"

I’m hitting the button in that case.
If I don’t have the device, I’m attempting a hike to my gear immediately to keep moving and keep the blood pumping. Hopefully it’s a small lake.

But that’s a nightmare scenario and why it’s usually so much better to stay and wait out the conditions that caused the capsize. I’d rather have someone looking for me while I was staying warm in my tent an extra day than these alternatives.

I have capsized on a firewood run, on Alpine, and we managed to stay with the canoe and swim it to shore to wait out the storm. That was a warm summer day and all I ended up with was wet boots and soaked pride.

KONA: Absolutely gorgeous and for the wall. You did a great job getting this photo.

another writeup

I am somewhat troubled regarding this story about the actions of the outfitter involved. Right now we don't know who it was and what advice was given. But a guy on his first trip, and going solo, went out without heavy weather gear, had a lightweight tent and sleeping bag, and insufficient rain gear. If I read right, he was in trouble his first day. Did the outfitter go over weather conditions with him? They must have known a storm was forecasted. Was he properly warned? If you are paying for outfitting, doesn't the outfitter have some duty to make sure their customer is set up for the foreseeable conditions? Should the outfitter have prevented him from going in the first place?