SHT Thru Hike

**stairguy** · 05-04-2013, 19:57

Ok, my son's thru hike ended as quickly as it started. Impassable snow conditions, torrential rain and lightning, after 24 hr's plus and not reaching 7 miles walk out to next trail head. Cook County search and rescue, snowmobiles, four-track ATV's, areal search out of Ely. This is the short story, If you would like the long one, let me know. I have never been so scared...................

**peanuts** · 05-04-2013, 20:05

i hope all is well with your son.

**stairguy** · 05-04-2013, 20:15

Oh. and by the way, he is all right..............no meth-amphetamines were involved (unlike the teens in California) and hopefully it doesn't potentially cost me $160,000.00.

**Redpath** · 05-04-2013, 20:15

Wow, sounds terrible, glad it turned out ok. It would be interesting to hear more about it.

**beep** · 05-04-2013, 20:22

I'm relieved that he's OK, but that's scary to be such a situation and not know if he's safe!

**stairguy** · 05-04-2013, 20:23

Thank you to Fronkey and Tala, It was nice to have unexpected friends there for the moral support...........

**gnar** · 05-04-2013, 20:34

very glad to here he made it out safe. scary though i bet!

**stairguy** · 05-04-2013, 21:25

The long story..........Arrived late at Jackson Lake Road to Otter Lake Road and it was snowed in. Dark was falling and we quickly found a 3 point spot to hang both hammocks w/one tarp. Rose the next morning w/rain in the forecast and 24"- 36" of snow still on the ground. Started drizzling as my son left. Called him back and we switched out rain gear to my gortex and boots to my waterproof Keen's. 30 minutes later it was a thunder and lightning rainstorm as I reached Grand Marais. Concerned Dad, I waited for local outfitter to open to buy snow baskets for son's hiking poles and ended up also buying upgraded snowshoes to swap out w/son. Figured trail magic would be nice for him and back of my mind thought he might like to bail. Back to the trail at noon, no tracks coming out .......wait.........wait............drive to original trailhead........wait.......drive back wait........40 miles back to Grand Marais..........eat back to trail....wait......overnight and wait.............back to Grand Marais for phone coverage to call work..........back to original entrance to follow tracks.....I had gear, but no extra gear, no change of clothing. I did not expect to camp out......1/4 mile in 24" snow, no hiking poles(son has mine) boardwalk in swamp area is under water and I get caught in snow and go down.......and again........and again........and I'm soaked to the skin.....choice now is to go on or go back and I'm torn..............Back to Grand Marais, Police station,search and rescue,deployed, driving down north road pass Fronkey and Tala who had been breaking trail for another and were in the area, areal search out of Ely,snowmobiles,4 track atv, ground search wet to their knees, and they find him......hanging in his hammock.........chill'n......he had come to Carlson Creek....the bridge was washed out and he just decided to hang and camp......They brought him out..........we talked.................he said all this for me..........we all had a laugh and they snowmobiled him back to his camp.............that was the hardest to explain to my wife, why I let him go back in.........he's an 26 and an adult. Thank you to the Grand Marais Police Dept., the Cook County Sheriffs Dept. , the Cook County Volunteer Search and Rescue, those who flew in from Ely for areal search for your understanding, quick response and support. TY Fronkey and Tala for your unexpected presence, friendsip and moral support.....................got a text today from my son, said he was in Grand Marais.......warm, dry and having fun...........picking up his food drop and hitchhiking and sectioning where he can..............breathing deeply here and very thankfull................

**stairguy** · 05-04-2013, 21:34

Forgot to mention my son is an eagle scout, 10 year staff member at Tomohawk Scout Reservation with 6 years as an aquatics specialsist, 2 years health officer, One year senior health officer, and high adventure specialist. He also worked the Silver Bay area on the North Shore as an EMT. I'm sorry, I'm a Dad...............I worry........