| Author |
Message Text |
|
HowardSprague
|
a beautiful gesture.
|
|
Jackfish
|
Schweady, I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. I can't imagine the pain you went through during those minutes and hours after he collapsed. If I walked past that memorial cross, I'm pretty sure I would pause, albeit briefly, and wonder about the reason behind it being there. I'm glad you shared the story.
|
|
GoWhenYouCan
|
So sorry for the loss of your friend and trip mate.
A wonderful thoughtful gesture indeed.
Prayers for John's family and friends.
|
|
IndyCanoe
|
Very touching, the only unfortunate outcome is that those just passing by won't have the benefit of reading your story to know just how meaningful that small cross is.
I think we can all aspire to find friends like yourself and live a life that leaves enough of a trace on others that they would do something similar.
|
|
Northwoodsman
|
What a wonderful deed. RIP John.
|
|
jhb8426
|
Very caring and appropriate gesture and remembrance.
|
|
adam
|
Sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the trauma of this experience. I am glad you got back there to say your peace.
|
|
alpinebrule
|
Totally appropriate, there are exceptions to every rule. This was one.
|
|
schweady
|
Soledad: "I'll be walking by in two days. I'll let you know if it is still there. If it isn't, I won't."
:-)
I'm fine with either way. It would be interesting to know.
It was put up on July 1st.
|
|
mschi772
|
What you did wasn't just fine, it was wonderful. LNT isn't a set of rules but guidelines. LNT itself will tell you just the same. You didn't break any rules of LNT because there are no *rules* to LNT. I can't imagine any decent person having a real problem with what you did in general and *specifically* given that you fully accepted that your memorial may be taken-down by someone in the future. Thank-you for the story about your friend.
|
|
HangLoose
|
I'm sorry for your loss. I know that portage well. If I was allowed to choose a spot to take my last breath, that's the spot I'd choose. What you did for your friend is so special. I am a staunch supporter of LNT policies (especially pistachio shell littering), but I would never object to this memorial. RIP John.
|
|
AmarilloJim
|
Very nice
|
|
pswith5
|
I have yet to pick " my spot" but my youngest talks about leaving at least a little of me up there. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
mvillasuso
|
That, -what you did- that's a beautiful thing.
May John rest in peace, and his family find the same peace. No better place to find it, than The Wilderness.
|
|
Zulu
|
I’m sorry you lost a friend that way. That would have been a terrible thing for everyone to go through. That was a great idea to honor him and show his family the spot that he died. I wouldn’t think anyone would object to that.
|
|
schweady
|
Totally inappropriate, maybe.
Two years ago today, one of the guys in our party collapsed under the canoe he was carrying and died. An apparent heart attack. Apparently gone before he hit the ground.
It was on the last of our five planned portages coming in from #16 Moose River North, destination Lake Agnes.
We tried CPR for hours, although the outcome was fairly obvious from the start. A party traveling through had a satellite phone, through which help was notified. Little did we know it would be another 6 hours before that help would arrive.
---
So, last month, my wife and I took the trip up and base camped on Nina Moose. The original plan was to base on Agnes, enjoy some great fishing, and take a day trip to LLC's pictos. Heat, wind, low water, and reports of persistent bears on Agnes all contributed to our decision to stop short. A climb up Top of the World, some swimming, and and some fishing (unsuccessful) would have to do. The site (#1787) was actually just about perfect... lots of areas to find shade and choose the direction to face off of the peninsula to catch a cooling breeze.
I located some straight branches left behind by beavers and washed ashore at the beach on the north end of Nina Moose, brought them back to camp and notched and lashed them together.
On our last day, we paddled up the Nina Moose River. Pausing to admire 'The Slide' next to that first portage, I could not believe how little water was running over the smooth rocks. Moving on to the next portage, I located the spot where he fell and constructed my little memorial.
I know that it is wrong to leave something like that here in the wilderness. I know that winter will probably take it down off of that small slope along the portage. Heck, some angry traveler has probably already scattered it while muttering something about this year's huge increase in Leave No Trace violations.
But it was there long enough for me to take a few pictures to bring home to his widow. To show to their kids. And granddaughters. And they can learn just a little more about the spot where he met his Lord.
N48° 11.584' W92° 04.636'
His name was John.
|
|
pamonster
|
Ooh man, I'm sorry you lost your friend.
I'm sure there will be those without the background who see it and are bothered. But that's ok, maybe even good. But if someone truly has a problem with that they've got bigger problems with their life.....
I think it's fine and I assume the intention of LNT is more in regard to trash, damage, and respect.
My father passed 9 years ago and I left a trace as well. Though his looked more like ashes from a fire and sank.....but I get to visit him every year in a place we love
|
|
missmolly
|
It's lovely. I agree that it won't last long. Winter or an LNT-monitor will turn it back into mere sticks, but your friend was tangibly remembered for a moment in a place he loved.
|
|
DeanL
|
If you're going to leave a trace, I'd say you picked a wonderful way to do so. I'm sorry to hear about your friend and am glad you were able to do this for him.
|
|
mjmkjun
|
Yes, you did leave a trace. Pretty sure John would be touched by it. Maybe he's smiling now in his new realm. :)
quote, "An apparent heart attack. Apparently gone before he hit the ground."
He was blessed he didn't have to endure a parting hard struggle before crossing over. Six hours before any assistance arrived is L-O-N-G.
|
|
fishonfishoff
|
I also left a trace a few years back. The card came back with me, but I left the cairn. It was my brother-in-law who never had a chance to experience the BWCA. I took him there (in spirit) for a week long trip. We had a great time!
FOFO
|
|
LindenTree
|
Good job Schweady.
|
|
thegildedgopher
|
Moving tribute, Schweady. Cannot imagine enduring this.
There are exceptions to be made to nearly every rule/guideline. You followed your heart and I think it led you to one of those exceptions.
|
|
WalleyeHunter24
|
schweady: "Totally inappropriate, maybe.
Two years ago today, one of the guys in our party collapsed under the canoe he was carrying and died. An apparent heart attack. Apparently gone before he hit the ground.
It was on the last of our five planned portages coming in from #16 Moose River North, destination Lake Agnes.
We tried CPR for hours, although the outcome was fairly obvious from the start. A party traveling through had a satellite phone, through which help was notified. Little did we know it would be another 6 hours before that help would arrive.
---
So, last month, my wife and I took the trip up and base camped on Nina Moose. The original plan was to base on Agnes, enjoy some great fishing, and take a day trip to LLC's pictos. Heat, wind, low water, and reports of persistent bears on Agnes all contributed to our decision to stop short. A climb up Top of the World, some swimming, and and some fishing (unsuccessful) would have to do. The site (#1787) was actually just about perfect... lots of areas to find shade and choose the direction to face off of the peninsula to catch a cooling breeze.
I located some straight branches left behind by beavers and washed ashore at the beach on the north end of Nina Moose, brought them back to camp and notched and lashed them together.
On our last day, we paddled up the Nina Moose River. Pausing to admire 'The Slide' next to that first portage, I could not believe how little water was running over the smooth rocks. Moving on to the next portage, I located the spot where he fell and constructed my little memorial.
I know that it is wrong to leave something like that here in the wilderness. I know that winter will probably take it down off of that small slope along the portage. Heck, some angry traveler has probably already scattered it while muttering something about this year's huge increase in Leave No Trace violations.
But it was there long enough for me to take a few pictures to bring home to his widow. To show to their kids. And granddaughters. And they can learn just a little more about the spot where he met his Lord.
N48° 11.584' W92° 04.636'
His name was John.
"
In this instance, this was a very classy gesture. God bless...
|
|
woodsandwater
|
Well done! A loving memorial. What a kind and caring picture for the man's widow. And what a way for your friend to go. I would rather drop dead on a portage trail doing something I love that being screamed at by some aide in a nursing home because I crapped my diaper again but nobody would come to help when I kept ringing for help. Just have to know where you're going at that moment of death!
|
|
andym
|
I'm glad you got back there and found a low impact and moving way to honor your friend's memory and preserve his memorial in pictures for the sake of his wife and family.
|
|
bobbernumber3
|
I'm sorry about the loss of your friend and the trauma of having a death on your canoe trip. Your memorial marker is a nice gesture. And I hope it helps in your healing process.
Knowing none of this, if I come across something like this while on a trip, I always take it down.
|
|
Wally13
|
Very moved by your story.
RIP John.
|
|
Zwater
|
Wally13: "Very moved by your story.
RIP John. "
+1
|
|
Soledad
|
I'll be walking by in two days. I'll let you know if it is still there. If it isn't, I won't.
|
|
TrailZen
|
Because he had friends who share his memory, it's clear that John left a trace, too. We should all be so lucky.
TZ
|
|
WHendrix
|
This the best thing I've read on this forum since I joined several years ago. Thank you.
|
|
3Ball
|
I join those being sorry for your loss. That really sucks. It is great that you have not let it deter you from more trips.
I was through there this week. If it is still there, I missed it. Your memories will survive though.
RIP John.
|
|
Jaywalker
|
I think John was very fortunate to paddle with you and call you friend. I think that was a fine and worthwhile trace to leave. Next time I travel that portage, I expect no sign will be there but I’ll watch for that tree and will pause to think of John.
|
|
yellowcanoe
|
Schweady what you did was beautiful. Sometimes I run across old graves in other parks( Algonquin) and they make me pause and appreciate and think of the person who lived and died.
|
|
Spartan2
|
I am too moved to write.
Thanks for sharing this with us, and thanks for being such a friend to John and his family.
|
|
Savage Voyageur
|
I’m sorry for your loss. It will bring some peace to his family knowing it was put there. Truly a loving tribute to remember your friend.
|
|
walllee
|
You my friend are a wonderful person!!
|
|
nctry
|
Having done cpr in instances where you knew the outcome from the start it is traumatic in itself. You are a great person for sticking with it and enduring... The tribute is a touching one and I would hope it stands for Mother Nature to remove in her timing.
|
|
Boppasteveg
|
I'm feeling a bit torn with this one - but leaning toward it being ok. This is so different than someone who leaves garbage, etc...
I'm sorry for your loss. I often wonder how many other times something similar has happened in our beloved wilderness. But you know what? We all have a time to go and I couldn't think of anywhere else I would rather meet Jesus.
|
|
JackpineJones
|
A trace well left. A fine tribute to your friend.
|
|
mirth
|
Hey Schweady,
I was just through this portage on Sunday and I don't recall seeing your memorial. I was carrying the canoe, however, and possibly I missed it.
Lovely idea, and sorry for your loss.
|