February 2nd, Searching for a Creek Crossing
Frozen Out: When the Creek Says No, bu the Corn Says Yes I had every intention of scouting a couple of waypoints on the far side of the creek this afternoon. I chose the area because it is rather secluded, with limited access, and contains some cedars surrounded by young hardwoods that looked like prime deer bedding. I donned my warm gear and began my hike—nearly a mile to a crossing I had used before. The Decision: Safety vs. The Scouting Mission My pins were on the other side, and my goal was to find a way in that most everyone else would avoid. I followed the creek bank and peered over between every “S” in the system, hoping to find a shallow crossing between the high banks of the curve. The water was frozen, but I wasn’t comfortable testing the ice's strength or the creek's depth without a partner. The last thing I needed was to be halfway across and hear the crack of the ice under my feet. I was way too far back for a mistake, and developing hypothermia was not on my list ...