OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

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Sandman
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OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Sandman »

Hello all,

I just got back from a unpleasant trip and wanted to share it with everyone as there are a number of forum members who know my son.

In November my son (18) packed up and headed off as part of his schooling to the Algonquin Park area for a 10 week Leadership Wilderness Challenge (as rough as roughing it can get). While he's there he has no contact with friends or family except a 5 minute phone call on Christmas day. He wanted to go and I wasn't stopping him.

On xmas he called and told me that he was loving it and doing okay but the temperatures during the cold snap we've had were reaching -33 + -49 with the wind chill. Their base camp had a couple of Yurts but they were on trail 4-5 days a week and roughing it.

Well Thursday afternoon I rec'd a call advising me that my son and his team had struck out on a short 2-5 km Snowshoe trek (temperatures were around -34 + -46 with the wind chill) and at some point with the blinding snow my son and 1 other became separated. That was at around 5 pm (just about dark) and they advised that a search was underway and they would be in touch with any news.

Feeling absolutely useless and not knowing what to do I packed all my cold weather gear/shoes etc and started to make the 4 hour drive ... A lot sure goes through your mind~!

While on route at about 6:30 I rec'd a call advising that the pair had made it back to base camp but were being taken to hospital for hypothermia and frost bite but they were okay.

I arrived at the Emerg and was told that both lads were okay and being treated for hypothermia, mild frost bite to hands, feet and ears. The tending doctor believed everything would be fine except for my sons one ear had received severe frost bite and it was possible it may need to be removed. It was a waiting game at that point.

I spoke with him and asked him what had happened and he said that the other lads shoe had broken (they are in partners) and he stopped to wait and within minutes and the blinding snow the group had disappeared. They tried to catch up but the trail branched in several directions. They knew enough not to head on and had 2 choices dig in and wait or back track back to base camp. They chose compass (not sure if it was what I would have done but I cant fault them) and worked there way back.

I apologize for the graphic pictures but I have never seen anything like it;

Image

Image

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He has to see a surgeon on Wednesday and at this point it looks like he will keep his ear.

I just got home a few hours ago and I'm having a stiff drink and saying a prayer or two.

Cheers,
Last edited by Sandman on Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:52 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Waif
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Waif »

Hoping for the best down the road for your son and his teammate.
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SixLomaz
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by SixLomaz »

As long the ears do not turn black he is OK. Relax and be happy you got 99%+ back of him. He got lucky this time. Mother nature is the best serial killer there is. May he heal properly and learn a lesson. Life is a cold place and we all need to bundle up before heading out into it.
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agingcrossbower
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by agingcrossbower »

As a parent that must have been hell. One tough boy you have there. He grew up fast and kept his head and that is something to be proud of. Get well soon lad.
snuffbox
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by snuffbox »

So glad that worked out to the good.
People have lost lives in this country with temperatures far less cold than that.
How was the other boy?
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Galgo
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Galgo »

Skin is not black that is good...hoping for the best for your boy.
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Raymond »

The young lasd is tough and learned an impoertant lesson I bet. Thank the good Lord that they both made it out.
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Sandman
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Sandman »

snuffbox wrote:So glad that worked out to the good.
People have lost lives in this country with temperatures far less cold than that.
How was the other boy?
I edited my message - The other lad was treated and other than some burning skin and chills he's okay.

Cheers,
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Allan
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Allan »

I cannot imagine what they went through, and I cannot begin to imagine what you went through. They are tough kids with a new education.

The pain when thawing out is wicked. I froze my big toes twice when I was younger (outdoor hockey). You get a black layer of dead skin, and when it peels off, you have a pretty pink toe.
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Pydpiper »

Jeeze R, tough pill to swallow. Best wishes for you and yours..
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Adrian J Hare
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Adrian J Hare »

I think this is a great Thread /Post, just shows you what can happen even when hunting in extreme cold without the proper clothing.

Hope your boy is ok, the worst part is he will never get away from them same areas freezing again...
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Sandman
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Sandman »

Adrian J Hare wrote:I think this is a great Thread /Post, just shows you what can happen even when hunting in extreme cold without the proper clothing.

Hope your boy is ok, the worst part is he will never get away from them same areas freezing again...
That's what the doctor said - He will have to watch that ear for the rest of his life.

They did have cold weather gear on but his ears were exposed and in the heat of the moment he didn't realize until it was too late.

Thanks all,
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Dash
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Dash »

Gee that looks really nasty, poor fella.
On the bright side, at least they made it out of there. I'm sure in them conditions, if lost, things could have gone from a flesh wound to life threatening quickly.
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Re: OT - Frost Bite - Parents Nightmare (Graphic Content)

Post by Bullzeye »

Wow, looks nasty, but like others said its not black so phew, having frostbittin my ear lobes and fingers I know how much it hurts thawing out, i can only imagine how that ear felt thawin out. I bet that ear gets cold fast after this, i noticed since I froze mine they get cold resl quick.
Hope he recovers fast.
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