Narrow escape from disaster!

[blackwolf]

With my knee replacement doing better, I took a drive and hike back into my favorite Bayfield County stands today. Did a little pruning and have 3 locations ready. On the way out, I was 2.5 miles from truck and decided to take shorter route across new beaver pond. The house is built in the middle of the dam and they had just spread fresh mud all over the side I had to climb up and over. Meanwhile 2-3 small beavers were surfacing and making noise near me. When I first approached the large pond, I thought "how awful it would be for a hunter to drown here" Well, I made it up and over the slippery, muddy house and had just a short ways to go along the narrow dam about 2 feet higher than the pond above. Suddenly, without warning I slipped off the pond side and was helpless as my boots slid down steep, muddy drop off. I barely managed to keep my head and one shoulder above water, before making a desperate grab for a wood piece sticking out by the dam. On 2nd lurch I got it and pulled myself back on dam. I had 20lb backpack on and realize if not for that wood chunk I grabbed, I could be history. I decided to beeline it to truck, about an hour away. I had matches and fire starter in waterproof bag in backpack but figured fire as last resort of I started feeling hypothermic. I called my wife from hig h spot with reception and quickly told her to call Bayfield County if I did not call back in an hour. My legs and feet weighed a ton but my carbon walking stick helped me make good time and in 50 minutes I was at truck, cold but not hypothermic. I really think not getting my wool knit hat wet, and wearing Merino Wool long johns and socks saved my but. Earlier this season, I had mentioned in another post "jokingly" how I might "take a swim" if not being carefull this year via beaver dams. I never thought this would really happen. I have been crossing them for 50 years with no problem. Guess my balance and agility are affected by the 2 knee replacements. This was a real "wake up call" No more chancy beaver dams, I will take the longer route!!!

[Brad]

Holy cow, glad you are ok! Scary situation for sure.

[Stanley]

Those beaver dams are dangerous I have crossed many of them over the years and got dunked myself one time.

[Dewey]

Glad to hear you are O.K.

I cringe when thinking about scary situations I have been in and hearing your story really makes a guy realize just how fast an accident like that can happen. Water and bad footing is always a recipe for disaster.

[Swampthing]

Jeez, glad your o.k. I,ve bit it a few times myself crossing beaver dams.

[Edcyclopedia]

Whoa!
Didn't sound fun at all, I'm glad your safe...

Loose fitting straps (or quick disconnects) on tree stands and /or backpacks are handier than most think.

[headgear]

Glad you are ok bw, scary stuff for sure. I cross them all the time with stand and pack on, with that weight on your back i can see how it could get scary fast. Lets all be careful out there!

[Singing Bridge]

Glad to hear you are alright!

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[wmihunter]

Wow! Glad ur alright

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[kwaldeier]

Glad your alright!

[dan]

Glad your ok... I think some times we get a little to relaxed after doing things without accidents for years...

[Bucky]

Merino wool is worth every penny.... even soaked it still insulates. Glad you made it out okay!

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[MattyG]

Glad you ok, and good to hear you don’t need a 3erd knee replaced after that. I have skipped over a lot of beaver damns in northern Wisconsin also. They are really cool but can be dangerous

[PeteJ]

Glad your OK

[DEERSLAYER]

Glad your OK blackwolf!