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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Reports :: Trip Report - 3 month solo freeze in trip on Knife Lake
 
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callofthewild
02/10/2017 03:28PM
 
Incredible........ You have done what many of us only dream. I am looking forward to watching your videos. Simply amazing.
 
TomT
02/11/2017 07:43AM
 
quote walltentjon: "I just started getting some of my videos from this trip edited. Here is the link to my first video in the series documenting my trip: Jon's video of trip on utube "


Woah.... That video is hardcore. I would say you have big gonads but I'm sure they were shrunk to the size of almonds after that ice plunge. I am a subcriber now and look forward to the rest of the story. Thanks for documenting! Hard to believe unless you actually see it.



 
walleye_hunter
01/29/2017 07:17AM
 
Wow! You should get that trip published in Boundary Waters Journal or any other outdoor magazine.
 
TomT
01/29/2017 07:50AM
 
quote walleye_hunter: "Wow! You should get that trip published in Boundary Waters Journal or any other outdoor magazine. "


Agreed!

 
01/29/2017 11:30AM
 
The most exciting wildlife encounter was with wildlife that I never saw. One day in mid January when I was out on a daytrip away from my campsite, a group of three wolves came to check out my camp. Their tracks were centered around my water hole where they were trying to get water. One of the sets of tracks entered right into the center of my camp and walked right around my tent. The tracks were massive. About twice the size of a coyote track. I was under the impression that wolves were afraid of the scent of people, and I found this rather disturbing when I got back to camp at dusk.
 
Jim1955
01/29/2017 12:49PM
 
Thank you. I was beginning to believe there may not be many left that dream of such adventures. Nice to see your living them. Thanks again.
 
DanCooke
01/29/2017 01:04PM
 
What an adventure to take on. How did you prepare for your practice plunges? what safety measures did you take seeing you were alone?

 
airmorse
01/29/2017 09:52AM
 
Impressive.


What kind of wild life did you see? Wolves, deer, moose,?
 
TomT
01/29/2017 12:20PM
 
quote : "The most exciting wildlife encounter was with wildlife that I never saw. One day in mid January when I was out on a daytrip away from my campsite, a group of three wolves came to check out my camp. Their tracks were centered around my water hole where they were trying to get water. One of the sets of tracks entered right into the center of my camp and walked right around my tent. The tracks were massive. About twice the size of a coyote track. I was under the impression that wolves were afraid of the scent of people, and I found this rather disturbing when I got back to camp at dusk."


Yeah, that would scare the %&*@ out of me. Did you hear wolves? They must have been watching you.
 
WonderMonkey
12/13/2018 07:38PM
 
I just read this. Incredible!
 
airmorse
01/29/2017 11:45PM
 
quote : "The most exciting wildlife encounter was with wildlife that I never saw. One day in mid January when I was out on a daytrip away from my campsite, a group of three wolves came to check out my camp. Their tracks were centered around my water hole where they were trying to get water. One of the sets of tracks entered right into the center of my camp and walked right around my tent. The tracks were massive. About twice the size of a coyote track. I was under the impression that wolves were afraid of the scent of people, and I found this rather disturbing when I got back to camp at dusk."


Imagine if you had a trail camera set up when those wolves took a stroll thru your camp.
 
Alan Gage
01/30/2017 11:12AM
 
I can only echo the superlatives already posted by others. Very unique trip. I'm impressed and humbled that you were able to make so much of your own gear in the bush.


Those practice plunges into cold water were enough to make my butt pucker. I don't think I could force myself to jump in. I can only assume this was in relatively shallow water and close to camp with a fire already going in the hot tent in case you weren't able to get another one started?


Alan
 
SaganagaJoe
03/18/2017 11:37PM
 
I have to ask: How did you control the mental part of an experience like that? Being alone for that long would drive me crazy, not to mention the potential danger.
 
TomT
03/19/2017 07:43AM
 
quote SaganagaJoe: "I have to ask: How did you control the mental part of an experience like that? Being alone for that long would drive me crazy, not to mention the potential danger. "


I agree. Especially with the limited daylight. I would never want to do more than a three day solo in the winter.



 
ducks
03/19/2017 09:31AM
 
Awesome report. The video is amazing also! Thanks for sharing.
 
s500yards
05/23/2017 07:30AM
 
If this is true, (as no evidence has been presented) then +1. You and your toboggan need to stay out. No respectable 'bushcrafter' would have such little regard for the woods. If the accusations are false, then my apologies. Carry on.
 
pastorjsackett
02/13/2017 10:18PM
 
This was so much fun to read. Thanks for posting! Epic story.
 
fadersup
01/30/2017 12:57PM
 
Very cool stuff, impressive indeed.
 
paddlefamily
01/30/2017 04:33PM
 
A tripping style that very few have done - super interesting. Really enjoyed reading about your bushcrafting skills. Clearly you planned well. I would love to hear more details!!
 
01/31/2017 11:05AM
 
Bad ass man, bad ass!
 
Trapper7
01/31/2017 11:07AM
 
quote : "Bad ass man, bad ass!"
Yup, I agree, total bad ass. I would love to do a trip like this.
 
12/17/2018 11:24PM
 
WonderMonkey: "I just read this. Incredible!"
Unfortunately he left an incredibly mess at the campsite he used.
 
hwdhusky
05/23/2017 10:29AM
 
That is horrible news. So sad.
 
A1t2o
05/23/2017 01:05PM
 
quote s500yards: "If this is true, (as no evidence has been presented) then +1. You and your toboggan need to stay out. No respectable 'bushcrafter' would have such little regard for the woods. If the accusations are false, then my apologies. Carry on."


+1 We need some evidence that some crime was committed. Neb32 created an account just to post this. While it is entirely possible that it is a new member that wanted to get the word out, it is also worth noting that since they are new, they have no credibility built up on this site. Accusations carry weight and on an account that could just be a throwaway, meaning you have nothing to lose, we are going to need a little more than just "he said she said". For all we know, Ned32 could be a competing business trying to undercut the competition's credibility or an ex feeling jaded. That's why we need some evidence before going any further.


That said, I did watch a few videos and the trees do look rather green. There were a lot of wood shavings on the ground too with no tarp for clean up. The lean to that he made seemed to be almost entirely live pine. If all this was done well away from campsites then there shouldn't be an issue, but if this was destroying campsites as claimed then Jon should be held responsible for it.
 
walltentjon
01/31/2017 06:23PM
 
I just started getting some of my videos from this trip edited. Here is the link to my first video in the series documenting my trip: Jon's video of trip on utube
 
walltentjon
01/31/2017 06:42PM
 
As far as the preparation for the practice plunges goes, I had practiced jumping through the ice extensively prior to this trip while having warm cars and a buddy to pull me out close at hand. This gave me a pretty good idea of what I can and can't safely handle. On this particular trip I did a "practice" of my practice plunge on a warmer day (30 degree air temperature) to make sure that my ice picks, dry clothes, and fire starting kits were functional before I risked jumped through in subzero weather.
 
Kiporby
01/31/2017 07:47PM
 
WOW Jon! What an amazing adventure. And to think we worked together at Seagull this summer and you've been my tow driver on a number of occasions. Pretty dam proud to say I know that GUY!


I hope you will be back this summer!
 
BigCurrent
03/14/2017 07:52AM
 
Great report and excellent Videos. Can't wait to watch more.


I think we found one of the next contestants on Alone.
 
SaganagaJoe
03/12/2017 08:40PM
 
quote Kiporby: "And to think we worked together at Seagull this summer and you've been my tow driver on a number of occasions. Pretty dam proud to say I know that GUY!


"



Me too, longtime customer of Debbie's here. I believe you drove me to 81 Landing once or twice. Good on you to get out there and have a good time. Wow, what an adventure.

Never heard of a pump drill before, can you fill me in on how you made that?
 
walltentjon
01/26/2017 08:19PM
 
New Trip Report posted by walltentjon

Trip Name: 3 month solo freeze in trip on Knife Lake.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report
UPDATE: Here is the link to the first video in a series of videos documenting my trip:
Video of Jon's Trip on Utube
 
bwcasolo
01/27/2017 05:46AM
 
impressive, nice view from the point!
 
Northwoodsman
01/27/2017 08:10AM
 
Great report. Your trip sounds like an awesome adventure. You possess some wonderful skills. Can't wait to read about your next trip.
 
UPBoy
01/27/2017 12:09PM
 
One word: WOW!


A most amazing journey and adventure. It would make a good book.


UP Boy
 
TomP
01/27/2017 06:25PM
 
The photo from the top of Thunder Point is a great shot!!!


Great report!
 
TomT
01/27/2017 06:54PM
 
Very cool! You have some guts sir. How did you learn to make all that stuff? Classes or maybe books? Helluva trip. Thanks for posting. Nice pics too.
 
Mocha
01/27/2017 07:19PM
 
what an incredible experience! would be interested in hearing more about other things you experienced out there: animals, tracks, airplane traffic.. anything that made more noise than the silence of freeze-up.
 
boonie
01/27/2017 08:28PM
 
Thanks for the very interesting report about a unique BW trip! I too would love to hear more details.
 
NotLight
01/28/2017 04:41PM
 

Epic! Fantastic! Great pictures! Your grandkids will have them in their office someday, and say that's my grandpa in the BWCA. Hope you kept the toboggan. (And... Glad you didn't decide to eat any wild seeds or sleep in any green buses ;). Best to stick with the lard.








 
hwdhusky
05/02/2017 09:42AM
 
Great report, I am not sure how I missed reading it posted on this site. I was going through all kinds of trips reports earlier this spring when the weather wasn't great. I stumbled upon this report on the BWCA sub in Reddit.


Makes me think when I am deer hunting in November in Minnesota and I get a little chilly, I can go back to the car to warm up. This trip takes a whole different mindset.
 
Pinetree
03/19/2017 08:20PM
 
awesome report and thanks. Did you eat a lot of fish?