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;
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,
