Stuck in the Slush - A Little Help??

[titelines]

I went out the other day and, on my way back to the landing, got the snowmobile stuck in the slush. Sunk down to ice level and had no traction at all. I unhooked the portable and spent about 30 minutes pulling it through the deep snow and slush until I got to more solid ground. I went back to the snowmobile and tried to get it unstuck, pushing and pulling, lifting and grunting, with not much luck. In the meantime, it had gotten dark.

It's a smaller lake and it was obvious to the others on the lake that I was stuck, there was just no way not to know that.

Well, after a bit more time passed, people started leaving the lake and I saw no less than 5 guys walk within 100 yards of me on their way back to the landing, hop in their cars and leave. You couldn't hear anything due to the wind, but I flashed my headlight and waved my arms at them. I know they saw me, but they kept walking. I'm soaking wet from the slush, my feet are wet and frozen, I'm sweating and now it's near blizzard conditions.

Another two guys walked past and went straight to the landing. I was beginning to lose faith and was thinking that the snowmobile may be spending the night on the lake. The only problem was that I knew it would freeze that night and it would be impossible to get it out the next day.

Finally, I managed to find a good spot of frozen ground and dragged the machine to it. I had trouble lifting it up to the solid level though. All I needed was one guy to help me lift the machine and I knew I could get out. I tried and tried, but couldn't do it.

I rested for a couple minutes and then summoned all my strength to lift the back end about a foot and a half off the ice and onto the frozen ground. I walked my escape route, gunned it and got to solid ground, pulled my portable to it and got to the landing as quickly as possible. After 1.5 hours I was out!!

When I pulled up, the last two guys that walked past were walking to the water's edge. They said they were coming back for me and that they wouldn't have left me out there. They could see how exhausted I was and helped me trailer the sled and get my portable into the truck. I asked if they were going back to town and if I could buy them a beer or a sandwich. They said they were, but had to get home. We talked for a few minutes and then parted.

I'm not sure what the point of this is. Is it that 5 guys walked past someone who needed help and chose to do nothing? Or is it that two guys were willing to walk back through deep snow and a blizzard to help a stranger in need?

I try to assist people whenever I'm able to, and an event like this really reaffirms my commitment to lend a helping hand when I see someone in need. Not because it'll come back to me someday (which I believe it does), but because it's the right thing to do.

Anyone have a similar experience?

[sparcebag]

Ya I've been in the same situation more than once! I always figured if I got stuck,had any problems I would have to be capible of handeling it myself,If I couldn't I shouldn't be there.

If my reply sounds bad to you, cant say sorry, its just the way it is.What if no one was around at all just you! see ya have to be prepared for the unexpected and willing to accept the unexpected and do what it takes to help yourself.

One good point is assess the situation and then decide if your willing to accept any consequnces unfortunate happenings that should arise.After that thought procede with your decision.

[kywest]

I totally agree with you sparcebag. As a soldier that has been deployed twice and been on a multitude of missions, we plan for absolutely everything, back up plans, back up for the back up... you get my point... But every once in a while you run into something that you could have never guessed would happen. Its times like that that you have to rely on other people for help. Granted not many Iraqis of Afghans were willing to help but some did. That being said, to have several people walk past your position knowing you were stuck is unexcuseable. Yeah the weather sounds like it sucked, yeah I would have gotten a little wet but I would have sucked it up and so should the other guys. I for one would have helped out. 1 guy made the job an hour and a half, 2 guys could have done it in a fraction of the time. Thats my two cents

[glenn57]

and i totally disagree! you see someone that needs help, whatever the situation, help him. heck im willing to help someone load there boat on a perfectly nice day. whats the harm, who knows you might find a new friend. just my two bits worth.

[kywest]

After reading my post I even confused myself... I was trying to say that I agreed with needing to be prepared but I also know you can not prepare for everything. I agree with you glenn that someone should have helped him out. I am always game for new friends.

[dfv87]

Glenn57

You hit it right on the head. Helping someone is what it is supposed to be about. That said, you don't want to plan on needing help but ina situation where a guy gets stuck?... help them out.

Tightlines sorry you didn't meet that good samaritan a little sooner as it can be frustrating beyond belief to feel like your not going to get out of a situation.

Glad it worked out. (eventually)

[croixflats]

No If ands or buts about it lend a hand to your neighbor! See someone in stress do not look the other way!

If you can live with yourself by turning your head to someone in need of help well I just dont wanna know you.

[Jim Almquist]

titeline I was in the same situation last night but there was no one around to help and I knew I did not have a choice but get the sled out or it would freeze in. What a pain in the rear getting a 2 up sled that has a ton of slush in the tunnel and I was pulling my Otter lodge with all my stuff. I did not have to go far to get out but it was still more work then one person should tackle. I would have been a more then a little [PoorWordUsage] if someone went by me a did not help.

With the snow conditions I will not go out alone again until things improve.

[Duffman]

Quote:

With the snow conditions I will not go out alone again until things improve.

I hear ya Jim, I just took a quick buzz on a lake 20 miles north of Deer River and I've got one word to say; Yuck!

That slush is going to hinder this weekends fishing plans.

Help each other out, but try and not put yourself in a situation where you probably will need help.

[Lakeside]

Not exactly the same sort of dire situatioin, but one that illustrates the point well. 22 years ago my sons (age 8 & 10 at the time) and I were fishing in off teh Tug Channel on LotW in early July on a really hot and sunny day. We were in a camp boat (the typical 16" with a 25 hp Johnson), about 30 minutes from camp. We were fishing in a rather out of the ordinary spot but had good maps and knew exactly where we were. Still, we probably looked pretty sorry when a "fancy fishing boat" pulled up and asked if we knew where we were. "we sure do" was the answer, which was good because they did not. I gave them directions back to Oak Island and sketched a quick map. They handed over three ice cold Coca-Colas before they left. I don't think anything ever tasted better. Lessons to the boys - be prepared, help you fellow sportsmen and you will be rewarded. In this case both in the heart and the stomach.

22 years later we are still fishing and hunting together. We've been helped by others (a family on 4 wheelers who helped us track and haul out a wounded deer that ran a mile into the woods) and helped others (just last summer, fishing on Lac Seul we observed a camp boat obviously lost, we actually led them through a series of islands to where they could see the passage to their camp). We reflected back to that day, years ago. What goes around, comes around.

LIke most of the other posters say, there really isn't even a question here. If you call yourself a fisherman, or a sportsman or a Minnesotan, you help out because it's the right thing to do. Period.

[Jim Almquist]

Quote:

LIke most of the other posters say, there really isn't even a question here. If you call yourself a fisherman, or a sportsman or a Minnesotan, you help out because it's the right thing to do. Period.

Very well said Lakeside

[Shack]

After reading my post I even confused myself... I was trying to say that I agreed with needing to be prepared but I also know you can not prepare for everything. I agree with you glenn that someone should have helped him out. I am always game for new friends.

I got what you said kywest

Unless it is totally unsafe for me to help, I will always help. Even if I am in a rush or it means an end to a fishing trip

Even if my wife and kids where waiting out in the cold some where's and I was late picking them up because of a side tracked fishing trip , I would at least offer a cell phone call or a a quick lift of the sled. That is just how I am and I have found many who are the same. Even if it means getting my self in a pickle helping, I do it

That is just how things are done IMO!

[bonadewski]

once i got the truck stuck. Just needed a little pull there were 2 snowmobilers and a couple trucks. They saw me stuck and after trying for a long time to get out i walked all the way to them to borrow a shovel. They handed the shovel over and didn't say anything else. I shoveled and walked to the woods to grab branches and shove them under the tires. It took me forever and when I finally got out I walked back to hand them the shovel and they said oh we were just coming to help you. Like I believe that. some people just are not willing to lift a finger.

[Neighbor_guy]

In a similar light...

On the way home from work tonight we were comming up the road and saw headlights in the ditch. "Is that a car or a 4 wheeler?", turned out to be a 4 wheeler. A guy and his 2 kids were stuck, bad stuck, we kept driving. I told tracy (wanderer) I would go back for him with my truck. He droped me off and then went back to let them know I was comming so we did not look like Jrks driving by and leaving him to struggle.

Turned out more than a dozen cars and trucks drove buy this guy WITH KIDS and none of them stoped to even offer to help.

I say we rheap what we sow. If you are not willing to help, you loose your right to complain about it. I realize it would be easy to be sore at the two guys who kept walking, but they came back, and if it was me, in tough conditions, I probably would have kept my monentum and continued on with my gear, stored it away, then came back for you.

Glad you got out of it ok. You will be sore tomarrow!!!

[fishnhuntnboy]

Something kinda like this happend to me last year. Me and a buddy was out fishing on shag and I went to go warm the car up before we started packing and then I decided I would try and get back on the road before packing. Well needless to say my front tires wouldnt climb up a lil hill on the ice/snow so I am out with an ice scraper trying to dig my car out and my buddy stays in the ice house fishing. Which it didnt bother me cause it was my own problem but it would have been nice for some help. Well finally a guy came out of his permanant and pulled me out with his truck and was sooo glad that he helped or it would have taken me forever to get out. Now I dont have to worry about it anymore as I now have a truck!

I try and help everyone I can. Even if it is out of my way and dont have the time too. Its just the right thing to do and I try and help others as I would like to be helped. Like what everyone else says...what goes around comes around. All good deeds are looked at and will help you in the future.

[chris63]

Yes,.next time (and everytime you hit the ice)bring a come along with you.Take a 2by4 and put it in a hole you drill under the ice 20 inch or so 2by4 under a 8 or 10 inch hole.Put a decent size rope tied around the 2by4 and wala your winching yourself out with very little effort!This has worked for years and years..learned this from Alaska snowmobilers!(no one around for miles and miles!)c63

[chris63]

Agreed!great post!c63

[kywest]

C63... Awesome Idea. I would have never though of that. Great great idea

[chris63]

Thankyou!not my idea however I NEVER go on the ice now without a come along and some 2by4's and decent rope!c63

[fishnfool]

About 5 years ago my buddy and I took my brand new Bobardier 2 up four wheeler out ice fishing. It was a nice sunny day and the conditions on the lake were getting sloppy and I was uneasy about my new toy sitting out in deeper water so I got the bright (stupid) idea to run it to the edge of the lake. We finished out the day fishing and walked back to shore at dusk and jump on my new 4 wheeler and get about 5 feet before dropping through in 1'-2' of water. What was a sunny day was now big snow flakes mixed with rain and the front two tires were butted up against the ice at the top of the tire. We had no choice but to get in the water and try to lift the front end on top of the ice. It wasn't happening, it was just too much weight for two guys to lift that high. By now it's pouring rain and coming off the ice are 5 guys who were kind enough to come into the frigid water and help us get this beast out. If it weren't for them offering their help I don't know how we would of gotten out. So the next week were out on the same lake with much better conditions and along comes the local game warden checking our license and such. He asks us if that's the 4 wheeler that dropped through last weekend at shore and we said yes. I then jokingly asked him if he was in his truck with the spotting scope watching this fiasco and he says "No, I was in the water helping you get it out". So my buddy and I thank him up and down and then reach into our pocket and offer him money so he and his friends can have some beers and dinner on us. He got a real nervous look on his face and asked us to put that away. Never offer a guy in uniform money, I guess it looks like a bribe to others. LOL Since then we've had a friendly laugh everytime he stops by and checks our license. Some day we'll have the opportunity to return the favor to an unfortunate fisherman in need of help.

[titelines]

Been away from the board for a few days and just got done reading all the replies to my original post. Reading it again with fresh eyes, and seeing some of the comments, I think I have a couple things to add.

To the point of being prepared. I am one of the most cautious/prepared people I know. I fish alone quite a bit (on hard and soft water) and always try to be prepared for the worst. However, you cannot plan for every single scenario, you can only do your best based on past experiences and what your plans are for that day. Had I been going to a remote lake that day, where I knew the chances of other people being out were less likely, I would've planned accordingly. Great idea with the come-along. I have actually used that with my ATV a couple times and it works great!

In this particular situation, I knew others would be on the lake. That is not to assume that everyone would come running if they saw I needed help. I know that nobody is under any obligation to help anyone, but I always figure that fishermen will help one another when it's needed.

I have walked over and popped a few holes for people when I saw their auger wouldn't start. I have also towed someone back to the dock when I could hear their battery had died. Neither occasion had I been asked, I just did it.

I was only about 500 yards from the landing. The worst case scenario was I drag my portable to the truck and go home. I'd come back the next day with my brother, chisel the snowmobile out of the ice and get it out of there. Inconvenience? Sure. But not the end of the world.

I don't want my original post to be construed as whining or complaining. I wasn't in danger, it wasn't life or death. I wouldn't go out by myself if I wasn't willing to accept the responsibility for what may happen. In the end, I handled this by myself and got out of there. I was just surprised at the number of people that walked by and didn't offer any assistance at all. I'm very grateful to the two guys...at least they were willing to walk back out and help.

I said in my original post that I wasn't sure what the point was. I think many of you have hit on it. I think it's simply, if you see someone in need of help while on the water/ice, just stop and offer your assistance. If you hunt/fish long enough, at some point you will find yourself, or others, in need of help and it doesn't cost anything to lend a helping hand.

[JimBuck]

I said in my original post that I wasn't sure what the point was. I think many of you have hit on it. I think it's simply, if you see someone in need of help while on the water/ice, just stop and offer your assistance. If you hunt/fish long enough, at some point you will find yourself, or others, in need of help and it doesn't cost anything to lend a helping hand.

I couldn't agree more. Glad it worked out for ya'.

[Sandmannd]

Originally Posted By: titelines

I said in my original post that I wasn't sure what the point was. I think many of you have hit on it. I think it's simply, if you see someone in need of help while on the water/ice, just stop and offer your assistance. If you hunt/fish long enough, at some point you will find yourself, or others, in need of help and it doesn't cost anything to lend a helping hand.

I couldn't agree more. Glad it worked out for ya'.

I agree, you need to help others. My wife wants me home when I say I'll be home, but if I say I was helping a stranded person, she doesn't care at all. Not only is it good human nature, but isn't it the law to help someone stranded? Thought I had heard that. Anyway, I'll always help someone out in need.

[The_Duckslayer]

I always try to be prepared for whatever adventure I am about to take. However Capt Murphy seems to frequent the same spots that I do and will do his best to bring about some sort of bad luck on me. It has always been my policy that if I see some one in distress I will stop and help them. ALWAYS! When they ask if I want any type of compensation or try to give me some money I simply tell them that I will be re-paid for my deed if they stop and help the next person that they see in need. Having roamed the earth now for 54 years I think that I have helped more than I have been helped but that is OK by me. I just hope that some one out there got some help from someone that I helped along the way because of what I said. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[bturck]

Several years ago I was in Solona State Forest deer hunting. It was the opener and the first season for my son. I'm sitting on my stand around 300pmm and I see this fella off to my right walking through the bush. I wave he waves and he continues on. Good for me right, maybe he will push something to me. A few minutes later I look to my left and he is walking back the way he had just come. he stops and hollers, do you know where the road is? I told him to turn to his right walk 75 yds and he will come to the logging road. Ok, thanks he says. Five minutes later he's walking across in front of me, and hollers I can't find the road. So I get down from my stand and walk over to where he is. He tells me he had come up from Texas, has never even seen this part of the State before and came hunting with his brother. I asked him where he started at, to which he replys I don't know I've been walking since 715am this morning. I walk out to the road with him, retrieve my son from his stand and head for our vehicle. He has no cap, no gloves, light walking boots and orange coveralls. Obviously no compass or GPS. We drive out to the main road and I said have you got any idea of which way we should go, he answers not a clue, don't know where my brother is camped. So we head left get to a small lake about a mile down the road. Does this look famaliar, nope. So we turn around and start back toward highway 65. We must have gone at least 3 miles when he spots his brothers camper in the woods I drove in and dropped him off. He thanked me profusley, his brother just stood there with this deer in the headlight look. I thought to myself can't wait for this guy to guide my next hunt. Well needless to say the afternoon hunt was shot in the butt, but he wasn't lost in thousands of acres of woods either. He did mention at one point that he couldn't believe how many trees there were in this State.....LOOOOOOL. Bill