Soddy icehouses can lead to survival-mode

[Markam Fire]

What do you think Guys?

We took out first trip to URL last weekend w/ my buddy and my brother. Man was it cold. In October, I reserved a sleeper shack from a well known place up there, sight un-seen, and what a mistake that turned out to be.

As the weather turned on Saturday, we made a startling realization that the heater in the shack could not heat the house. As temps dropped out side, we also realized the house was a sieve. Snow blowing in the through the windows, a 2" gap in the door (because it wouldn't shut all the way)separated wall panels, that revealed no insulation, and allowing the wind to whistle right through the walls. The beer and the water we had inside, on the floor was all starting to freeze.

The food situation was starting to look dire as well, when you consider we were planning on eating 2 meals of fish, but could not get the 2-burner cooker in the shack hot enough to cook fish. We tried to boil some brats but it took 3 hours just to get them to a state of warmness.

The attendant visited us about 4 o'clock Saturday and shrugged his shoulders at the issue of our heat and warned us to stay put or risk getting stuck in a snow-drift if we tried to drive out. He also informed us that the plow wouldn’t start until the wind stopped blowing 30-40 MPH gusts maybe tomorrow sometime.

By 6pm we were in full survival mode. the temp in the shack was (maybe) 35-40 degrees, we had shut down on fishing completely, blocked all the holes with as much stuff as possible, began to seal the gaps in the walls and door with paper towel and spare clothes. We took inventory of food. We were wearing everything we could. We tried to keep our feet off the floor since it was at least 15 degrees colder.

Longest night of my life. Cold in the sleeping bag, gloves hat, the whole works. Uncertain of how long we’d have to stay.

When we heard the plow roll by at 12:30 pm Sunday, it took us roughly 12 minutes to pack everything the van and get out of there. We hit the dry land and didn’t slow down until Grand Rapids.

A lot of lessons were learned about survival, and preparedness this weekend,, as well as resort selection. I will never rent a shack sight un-seen again.

My question after all of this, is this par for the course up there? Should I complain? Should I seek a refund? What should have I expected?

[L_Cappo]

i would try to get a refund.i would not put up with that.that is uncalled for and putting ppl in danger.i have rented alot of sleepers up there and i have never ran into this problem.most ppl who rent out sleepers up there know how cold it can get and the yput the proper heater in.as for the door not closing sounds like that person didnt take the time to block it up proper.as for the roads not being plowed thats just a normal thing.i was stuck on lotw before but realy didnt care to much.we had plenty of food and drink.and the heater worked to well.

[muddpuppy]

Sorry to hear about your trip. Why didn't you sleep in the Van with it running? If I were you I would have went back with the resort ownwer when he told you not to leave. I would have asked one time to get my money back. Then I would have demanded it back or he would have lost his fishing shacks that night never to be rented out again. Right or wrong that is me. I don't play those life and deth games. Good luck with whatever you choose do do!

[Redbeard5289]

Markam Fire,

So glad that everyone in your party survived. I can only imagine the [PoorWordUsage] you three had to go through. What gets me is the total lack of concern/help from the attendant that looked in on you guys. Especially after you made your concerns known to him. I've stayed at a few ma & pa motels during pheasant season and they always make sure that I got everything I need and if I had any problems they would fix them.

Definately go for a refund or at least give them a piece of your mind. They failed to live up to their end of contract nor tried to make reasonable effort to correct the situation. Did you take pictures of the sleeper house?

There is always reasonable risk when purchasing something sight unseen. But normal expectations and what they offering should outweigh the high risk factor. Just like when you purchase a room at AmericInn or Motel 6. You expect a clean room, working furnishings and quiet atmosphere. If you don't get that when you open the hotel door then you go down and talk to manager and get a new room or a refund. Same priciple applies to a sleeper house, right? Or am I completely wrong.

Glad that everyone is ok and hope my ramblings didn't anger too many people.

[Craig Plummer]

what resort? I wanna go to URL and dont want to die

[BLACKJACK]

Did you run out of beer?? If not you should have been ok.

Kidding aside, sounds like you had a poor outfitter with a poor shack - but it also sounds like you weren't prepared either. Counting on eating fish??!!! Thats pretty optimistic!!!!!!!

I'm packing for Red right now and in my pile I have my down sleeping bag that good to -10 plus a regular sleeping bag, my big Buddy heater, a deep cycle battery for jumping the truck or emergency light, my portable camp stove and fuel, three flashlights, spare batteries, vension sausage, peanut butter, heavy boots, two coveralls. All that stuff is just for emergency and takes room in the truck but it is winter time in MN you know!!! And you must have saw the forecast for last weekend!!!!

Yes you had a poor outfitter, I think you should be able to post the name here so others don't get burnt but buck up and learn from your experience. A fish house in the middle of a big lake is not the Motel 8.

[Sandmannd]

I think you got a raw deal. I would expect to be chilly with last weekend, but to have air blowing in like that is rediculous. I never count on eating fish when I go out, it's a plus, but you have to have food on hand incase that doesn't happen. I would always bring extra blankets, clothes, etc. I would even bring my sunflower with as a spare. If their heater isn't warm enough spark it up and get you more toasty.

I don't think for what you pay at resorts you should expect anything less than comfort. Unfortunatly, there are good ones and bad ones. Try to get your money back. If they are [PoorWordUsage] tell them you will call the chamber of comerce about it. Chalk the rest up to a bad experience. Don't let it stop you from going again.

[blueroof]

My dad and a couple buddies had an experience on LOW a few years back that he remembers less than fondly. He was out in a day shack, not a sleeper, so a little different situation. Anyhow, it was real cold like last weekend, the door to the shack basically came off the hinges shortly after getting dropped off. Him and his buddies were able to prop it up to some degree, but he said it was pretty cold and the heater could barely keep up. After spending the day fishing, never getting checked on by the guides, they started to worry a bit. Turns out the resort forgot about them, ended up being a long and cold night... When the bombers showed in the AM they flagged one down from another resort. When they were being picked up by their resort, they were asked if they wanted to stay out and fish or not. He laughs about it now..

LB

[Markam Fire]

the only things we counted on is that the shack would have four tightly sealed walls, with a matching floor and ceiling. And possibly a heater newer than the Eisenhower administration. beyond that, we expected nothing. In those terms, we were let down. Sure we saw the weather report, which is why we packed extra provisions. Had we known the shack would have been worse than my Clam 5600, i would have gladly brought it and saved myself the $100, your lecture, and your laundry list.

[L_Cappo]

hey MarkamFire shoot me an e-mail plzzz.[PleaseGetAuthorization]

[icatcher]

Markam Fire,

We must have rented from the same person. My sons first fishing experience in a rental, along with my brother and I. We had the same problems you described only or house didn't have a cook stove in it. The attendant said he had told me about that over the phone. He never told me that. He also said he told me to bring a extra heater and battery for the fish house. NOT!!! The house had I chair with a seat that came off, no table or shelf. One bunk had a cushion that went about 3/4 length of the bunk. The other two bunks had a thin piece of foam or carpet padding and had carpet stapled over it. Was like sleeping on a piece of concrete. No ladder to get to the top bunk. Had to boost my son up every time he wanted to get up there. Had to put a sleeping bag in the top bunk corner to keep thew wind out. The heater worked fine until the temp really started dropping. Then we turned it up all the way and it still would not get it warm in there. I wasn't going to take a chance with my son along so we packed up and headed out Sat about 4:30 pm. Couldn't see much with the wind blowing but we made it off the lake and back home where we were warm and safe. I would like to get a refund but what are you going to do? He didn't seem to care much. He just said other people seemed to like the rental house. I don't have time for someone who treats his customers like that and I will be sure to tell all never to go there.

[Scott K]

I would call them and complain, they may be good about it, they may not, but you need to give them the chance to make it better with you! The shack you got sounds like a dump. As for the heater not working, this can happen even with a good operating new heater, when it is that cold out propane doesnt gas up well, and doesnt make much pressure.

It was very unproffesional of them to shrug his shoulders, then not to check on you later. The worst thing you can do at this point is to not call and complain!

I dont think Black Jack was trying to make fun of you, just that when being that cold, it is smart to over pack and be more prepaired. I bet next time you rent a house from someone when the forcast is that cold, you will probably add a couple of them items to your list that he wrote down!

[Burnham]

i doubt blackjack is trying to make fun of you..but i do think he took it overboard...you paid money to go out there and if you have that much trouble(having to go into survival mode is PATHETIC)they should at the very least try to do something customer service wise.

[Burnham]

by the way are you implying that you dont like your clam 5600, or are you just saying that you would rather have had that...i ask this because i am thinking about getting one by the end of this year or by next year

[tisosy11]

clam 5600 is awesome - no worries...nice back up shanty for me

[Craig Plummer]

Must not have been as bad as you are describing if you won't even mention what resort it is out of, so that others don't get douped into the same deal

[L_Cappo]

 Originally Posted By: Craig Plummer

Must not have been as bad as you are describing if you won't even mention what resort it is out of, so that others don't get douped into the same deal

cause he cant.gotta go by the forum rules

[Scott K]

If he posts it it will get deleted by the forum gods!