I'm a regular BWCAW traveler in the winter and have yet to fall through ice unexpectedly - thankfully! However, I realize it may happen and a need to be prepared. I know (theoretically) the methods to get back on the ice and the necessary wilderness medical skills for hypothermia. However, I'm interested in how others have prepared for this - especially solo travelers.

I'm considering adding a Duraflame log and waterproof matches in my Snowtrekker polk sled setup. If I ever have this issue, hopefully I will have enough muscle coordination left to setup a shelter, light the Duraflame log, and get on dry gear. Is this realistic? How have others prepared for this possibility?

my preparation is avoidance. keep an eye out for open water and thin ice where there is water movement

on skiis you have good weight distribution, snow shoes is pretty good too, so you really gotta be not paying attention to get into trouble

There is great interview posted out here all about surviving a fall through. I agree with the Spook on avoidance, but you will still get surprised from time to time if you travel in winter enough. Just ask my buddy Fallsy. Two winters ago we were exploring some state land together. The plan was to split and cover more territory then meet a quarter mile to the East. Minutes after we seperate I hear "Hellllllp!"

Check the Jan 10th video:
http://www.bwcacast.com/

I would agree that prevention is the best key! But things happen, especially in the back country. I consider myself to be extreamely careful in the backcountry and have been on trips every month of the year. I spent 15 plus years as a winter camping instructor and dog sled guide in the BWCA. I have fallen through the ice, more times than I care to remember! I will tell you that you will be cold, and it will take you a long time to warm up. But my experience is that you do have time to start a fire and get into dry clothes. In fact many times, I would just change into dry clothes and worry about warming up later.

I do take a duraflame log on many of my trips. It is a nice way to have a fire burn for a long time at night and avoid having to restock the fire while I am sleeping. I have not used it when I have gotten wet, but it sure could be used in that situation.

Interesting topic. I had not previously considered a duraflame log.

I would say it would be better to be prepared to have a change of clothes handy. A fire might be beyond what you are capable of doing until you warm up from your dip in the lake. Have food handy that can help boast your energy and rewarm your body.

You might be able to light that Duraflame log but only after you sufficiently warm up. I think a change of clothes, food and physical activity is far easier to do than trying to start a fire. Just my opinion.

The worst unintentional dip I've taken was only to the waist, and for less than a minute at that. I just dumped out my duffel of clothes, stripped off everything wet, and had dry clothes on including my backup boot liners within five minutes. No further action was needed. Being bare-ass naked in the wind for a minute or two was actually warmer than standing in the wet clothes in the same wind. I was lucky in that the clothing bag was easily available at that moment (ten minutes earlier or later I would have had to unpack a bunch of other stuff). So now I keep a basic change of clothes (longies and shell pants/windshirt, socks, warm cap) in a two gallon Ziploc bag that is always easily grabbable. I'll rotate those out if the trip is longer (dirty spares are fine as long as they're dry). If you can get the wet stuff off your skin and block the wind a bit, it can buy you a lot more time than trying to light a fire while soaking. A space blanket might be a nice thing to add to that clothes kit, too.

my method for dealing with hypothermia is a small coffee pot and instant hot chocolate or spice cider, plus a Snickers while you wait for the water to boil, also a change of clothes while water is heating.

I was also amazed at how warm my clothes kept me, basically long underwear of synthetic material, and wool socks, all kept me warm despite being wet, kind of like a wet suit