Got into a bit of a situation on Sunday that I was able to manage with what I think was a pretty good idea, and figured I’d share in case it helps someone out.
I was running a trail (crushed gravel main trail plus singletrack offshoots) that had some nasty flooding a few weeks back - it’s along the Speed and Grand Rivers, with an amazing lookout at the confluence of the two.
(It faces roughly west, so is very popular at sunset - you can see deer, beaver, muskrat, minks, herons, swans, bald eagles, osprey, red tailed hawks, snow geese, Canada geese, and all manner of ducks)
It was -13c (6f) and snowing hard. The trails were beautiful, but I could still hear ice shifting under the snow as I toddled along.
The flooding had frozen then receded, leaving voids below the ice that make it unsafe; same reason municipal stormwater management/drainage ponds have warnings about going out on their ice. 10cm/4” of thickness is safe to walk on when supported by water, but needs to be much thicker to be safe when an air pocket has opened below.
I noped out on one bit of singletrack - there’s a small pond there that had jumped its banks last time I was down, and I could see broken slabs of ice over it with no clear way through or around.
So that was me being smart by not risking a slab of ice shifting and either hurting me (I’d already stepped into a hole and sort of banged the front of my ankle on a big chunk of ice hidden under the snow), or dumping me into water and risking hypothermia.
(I was heavily dressed but the wind and snow were pretty vicious)
So, heading back, I got stupid - I took the singletrack that goes right along the riverbank. I got about 3/4km into it before I remembered it had also been flooded at the bottom of the fairly steep ramp up to the main trail right by the confluence lookout. I didn’t really have time to go back, as I had a hockey game that afternoon. As I looked ahead, I saw the trail disappear under the river ice..
I was able to move uphill a bit and pick my way through the trees - walking carefully and testing each step - but soon it became impossible not to traverse the ice to proceed.
My self-rescue picks were unhelpfully sitting at home. I had nothing except a small water flask and my cellphone with me. I could call for help, but would I be able to manage that if I’d fallen through the ice? Would my hands work, or my brain?
My husband had been out for a walk on the same trail, but turned back quickly when he realized his gloves were wet and his fingers were freezing up - he was back at the trailhead. So, I pulled out my phone and called him: I put the phone on speaker, told him exactly where I was, and explained that I had to traverse the river ice. I asked him to stay on the phone with me, and if I stopped responding or he heard sounds of cracking or splashing to call 911. I carefully picked my way through, hearing ominous creaks..
(This was further back - you can see some broken-off slabs of ice along the river bank at centre left)
It seemed to take forever as I inched forward, my feet sliding occasionally on slanted ice under the snow - I almost thought I’d missed the rampway up to the main trail. I landmarked off an island at the confluence, though, and suddenly..
I thanked my husband for hanging on the line with me until I was safe once more, and told him I’d see him in 15mins or less.
So my pro tip is: if you get yourself into a dicey situation that might preclude the possibility of you being able to call for help, make the call in advance! Just chat with someone - your partner, a friend, a parent - to whom you can give your position and situation, for them to call emergency services in case you drop off the line. Best case scenario you just have a nice little chat and laugh a bit about being silly enough to get yourself into something sketchy - worst case scenario you’re taking action to save your own life, and give those who love you some peace of mind.
(* Of course this assumes that you have cellular coverage and sufficient battery. Charge that sucker before heading out when conditions are rough, and keep it in a warm pocket to keep it from freezing the battery!)
