I'll be leaving in about a week for my annual walkabout in the BWCA for some canoeing, camping and fishing. Last year a guy my age drowned in front of my camp site which explains the USFS float plane in the picture. The survivors came to us for help shortly after the incident. Brother Jerry built a fire to warm the four guys and help dry their clothes. Friend Corey, nephew Tyler and I paddled to the nearest Canadian ranger station at Prairie Portage to report the incident in hopes of getting assistance. It was a long paddle and after considerable beauracratic haggling as to who had jurisdiction(Canada or U.S.) the plane arrived. You see, the Canadian border runs right thru the middle of this lake so there was some question about who should respond. After several hours the survivors left and went back to Ely, they were understandably in shock after so abruptly loosing their life long friend. The following day they recovered the body from the depths of the 48 degree water. He was not wearing a life jacket and a fundamental lesson was reinforced. Hopefully there will be no "victims" or "survivors" this year. Yesterday I started the tedious process of collecting all my gear and buying supplies for my time in the bush. You have to bring so much stuff and be prepared for many contingecies and weather variables. Pack it in and pack it out. More later.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Pack It In and Pack It Out
I'll be leaving in about a week for my annual walkabout in the BWCA for some canoeing, camping and fishing. Last year a guy my age drowned in front of my camp site which explains the USFS float plane in the picture. The survivors came to us for help shortly after the incident. Brother Jerry built a fire to warm the four guys and help dry their clothes. Friend Corey, nephew Tyler and I paddled to the nearest Canadian ranger station at Prairie Portage to report the incident in hopes of getting assistance. It was a long paddle and after considerable beauracratic haggling as to who had jurisdiction(Canada or U.S.) the plane arrived. You see, the Canadian border runs right thru the middle of this lake so there was some question about who should respond. After several hours the survivors left and went back to Ely, they were understandably in shock after so abruptly loosing their life long friend. The following day they recovered the body from the depths of the 48 degree water. He was not wearing a life jacket and a fundamental lesson was reinforced. Hopefully there will be no "victims" or "survivors" this year. Yesterday I started the tedious process of collecting all my gear and buying supplies for my time in the bush. You have to bring so much stuff and be prepared for many contingecies and weather variables. Pack it in and pack it out. More later.
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