Something for you safety minded cold weather guys
- Thread starter fred slyfield
- Start date
Bill Burkett
Active member
Interesting chart...seems conservative based on personal suffering. A lot of those 30-30 days I've spent out there seemed a lot worse than 15 degrees cumulative.
The 30/30 days, IMHO, are among the worst days for hypothermia, especially if rain, snow, or spray is involved, too. It's very hard to dress for those days and be warm enough sitting but not overheating and sweating while walking, rowing or paddling.
But those aren't frost-bite conditions.
But those aren't frost-bite conditions.
Bill Burkett
Active member
I'm sure glad those 30-30 days don't add insult to injury with frostbite. Closest I ever came, I think, was eight degrees, light and variable as the pilots say, hardly noticeable breeze--and one hipboot full of water that wanted badly to turn to ice. First time the water actually hurt my foot when it leaked down--then it went numb. So of course I stayed right till dark knowing I had a rock jammed in my impeller--that's how I got wet, trying to tilt a 50-horse jet, the weight driving me into the soft mud--couldn't get the rock out with mynumb fingers...
Instead of a ten minute run back to camp it was a half hour slog, driving with the spokes because the wheel was so slick with ice; feet skating out from under me on the ice rink that had been floorboards. Sure glad I didn't have to load the boat that night;just parked and drove up to my travel trailer and tried to get warm. My feet looked kind of funny colored, frosty like, blue and white...and when the heat finally penetrated it hurt like hell. For several days thereafter my toes hurt all the time, sore as if with cuts. A neurologist later found nerve damage in one foot and suggested being more careful in future because the next time due to nerve damage it would take longer for pain signals to penetrate...he didn't call me a blockhead,but close...
The years drifted by and I developed diabetes to add to the foot misery in waders,to the point were even with dry feet the pain was pretty close to indescribable in a duck blind. Maybe because it took longer and dug deeper into the nerves before I felt it? Don't know. It was only about 15 or so that day, fog and barely enough wind for ducks to bankupwind to land.Maybe pain, like the prospect of being hanged tomorrow, concentrates the mind wonderfully: in a little over an hour I had three widgeon and two teal congealing into blocks of ice in the decoys with six shots. And I walked away--yep, didn't wait for the final two, my feet hurt so bad I wondered if I could make it back the quarter mile and up the hill to my Bronco. Fortunately I was on my club and the manager had said he'd come check on me and pick up. He was worried when he saw me sleeping it off in the Bronco with the heat blasting, and then tickled I'd had a decent shoot for all of that.
Linc the Lab scooped up all my birds while Bob sacked my decoys--took em twenty minutes, which showed me how many steps I've lost over the years. As ole Satchel Paige warned, don't lookback, something may be gaining onyou, and it lookslike time itself has run me to ground...
Instead of a ten minute run back to camp it was a half hour slog, driving with the spokes because the wheel was so slick with ice; feet skating out from under me on the ice rink that had been floorboards. Sure glad I didn't have to load the boat that night;just parked and drove up to my travel trailer and tried to get warm. My feet looked kind of funny colored, frosty like, blue and white...and when the heat finally penetrated it hurt like hell. For several days thereafter my toes hurt all the time, sore as if with cuts. A neurologist later found nerve damage in one foot and suggested being more careful in future because the next time due to nerve damage it would take longer for pain signals to penetrate...he didn't call me a blockhead,but close...
The years drifted by and I developed diabetes to add to the foot misery in waders,to the point were even with dry feet the pain was pretty close to indescribable in a duck blind. Maybe because it took longer and dug deeper into the nerves before I felt it? Don't know. It was only about 15 or so that day, fog and barely enough wind for ducks to bankupwind to land.Maybe pain, like the prospect of being hanged tomorrow, concentrates the mind wonderfully: in a little over an hour I had three widgeon and two teal congealing into blocks of ice in the decoys with six shots. And I walked away--yep, didn't wait for the final two, my feet hurt so bad I wondered if I could make it back the quarter mile and up the hill to my Bronco. Fortunately I was on my club and the manager had said he'd come check on me and pick up. He was worried when he saw me sleeping it off in the Bronco with the heat blasting, and then tickled I'd had a decent shoot for all of that.
Linc the Lab scooped up all my birds while Bob sacked my decoys--took em twenty minutes, which showed me how many steps I've lost over the years. As ole Satchel Paige warned, don't lookback, something may be gaining onyou, and it lookslike time itself has run me to ground...
Q Plimpton
New member
Thank you for the chart Fred, Even after you've been doing it for a long time you just do not realize how low the temps can be with those windchills. Especially that first cold day on the 2nd split.
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Fred, that chart sure brought back some memories. The first one was on April 1st of 1973, when I ended up taking a good sized male Alaskan wolf. The temp at the time I held that shotgun in my bare hands out the window of the Super Cub was -42F. I have no idea what his air speed was when we came in on the deck of the frozen river bed for me to shoot it. Ever since that day, my hands have given me fits when it gets extremely cold. Now you know why I like the weather down in New Mexico so much. After seeing your chart, Fred, it explains how close to some serious damage my hands must have received on that day. Made me lucky that whole pass, the shot, then putting the left side window bank back up only took a minute or two.
The second memory was from Wisconsin. I vividly remember my first date with Beverly. The distance to Wabeno/Blackwell area where she lived was 76 miles. When I left Wausau, WI to see her, it was -45F. I was driving a 93 Dodge dually with a Cummins in it. That day I was using straight #1 diesel fuel with additives. Thank goodness it ran like a top.
The last one was back in Alaska when I flew to Fairbanks to referee a basketball tournament. When I stepped off the jet in February of 1971, it was -58F. It is amazing how quickly you can lose your breath or seem to just while walking for a short distance. The car they gave me to use was never turned off from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon when I drove back out to the airport. It was an interesting time for sure and I'm glad that I had that experience but it was enough.
While in Fairbanks, I did think about all those people who lived out in the bush in their log cabins and I did wonder how they survived. That they did but at what price? There is no doubt about their "true grit".
Al
The second memory was from Wisconsin. I vividly remember my first date with Beverly. The distance to Wabeno/Blackwell area where she lived was 76 miles. When I left Wausau, WI to see her, it was -45F. I was driving a 93 Dodge dually with a Cummins in it. That day I was using straight #1 diesel fuel with additives. Thank goodness it ran like a top.
The last one was back in Alaska when I flew to Fairbanks to referee a basketball tournament. When I stepped off the jet in February of 1971, it was -58F. It is amazing how quickly you can lose your breath or seem to just while walking for a short distance. The car they gave me to use was never turned off from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon when I drove back out to the airport. It was an interesting time for sure and I'm glad that I had that experience but it was enough.
While in Fairbanks, I did think about all those people who lived out in the bush in their log cabins and I did wonder how they survived. That they did but at what price? There is no doubt about their "true grit".
Al
Paul Meisenheimer
Well-known member
Al, I came out of the office at 8 pm last night and it was -30 C, and even at that relatively mild temperature it hit my lungs after the first few steps. I can recall lots of -40 days living in the north. Not good days to exert yourself outdoors.
I find myself wondering if my diesel engine is going to start this morning. I better dig out the extension cord. LOL
Bill Burkett
Active member
Vivid images that make my hands cold sitting here at the computer,Al! The wolf tale is dramatic,but the arresting one is the long drive to see the lady. That sounds like a short story in the making to me, "Long drive to see the lady,"by you: a Christmas tale for sweethearts. Fred, bet you never knew posting the windchill factors would elicit such wonderful reflections! Or maybe you did...anyway,yet more evidence of why I love this site. There is after all more to life than duck hunting, though what comes second is often so far back there it's hard to see in the rear view mirror. Unless, in my case, it's a redhead--I seem fated to disprove Corey Ford's theorem that when a duck hunter hears someone mention redhead he thinks about ducks,not women. I've known more redheaded women than I've shot redheaded ducks. But those are other stories...
Paul Meisenheimer
Well-known member
Bill, I too have a thing for redheads. I married one and living near Lake St. Clair for many years, I killed an awful lot of the duck variety. This is my wife's first winter in Calgary and she is not impressed by the cold. I am afraid to tell her that she hasn't really seen anything yet. Seven months of snow can wear on you. Thank goodness for Chinooks.
I have enjoyed the reflections and comments in this thread.
I have enjoyed the reflections and comments in this thread.
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Bill and Paul,
I understand about the "redheads"! That I enjoyed. I have to admit that when I went on that first date, neither of us knew it was cold outside. We ended up going to a nice spot/resort type area on one of the northern lakes for a Friday night fish fry. The place was jammed with people, the walleye fish fry was outstanding and the Scotch was excellent!
Al
Bill Burkett
Active member
Paul,
The only time I was in Alberta, the Saksatchewan river was frozen solid, and the biggest whitetail buck I have ever seen was walking down the snow covered highway between the snow plow banks on the way from the airport to a boy's school on the river that also was the site of a newsmagazine called Alberta The school and the newmag as run by an old east Canada reporter who was a very interesting guy. It was four below zero when we checked in to a brand-new double wide travel trailer he would give me to live in if I joined his "Company of the Cross". The printer was an old hunter who joined the commune and worked the presses at night to have the mornings out after those whitetails. I had packed my business suits for a job interview because the ad was ambiguous. Leather soled city shoes were a lot of fun around the compound!
The boys were supposed to be attending an old fashioned British school for boys from wealthy families who followed theBritish mold sending the boys away to school. I wasn't there24 hours before the local "Lord of the Flies" contacted me to see if I brought anything with me he could buy and re sell: smokes, prescription drugs, Playboys. All verboten by the school administration. My redheaded wife and our infant son were with meand she waslike what have you got me into this time??? I had committed to help gettheirnext magazine to bed after the previous editor decamped for warmer lattitudes.
The boys had two major adventures a year laid onby the school. A canoe trek in spring afterbreakup following the routes of the Voyageurs,and a winter snow trek by dogsled mushing the school's pack of huskies. These were urban kids born withsilver spoons for the most part. They were usually unimpressed with the drill sergeant techniques of the school masters. It was the only news job I held (however briefly) where I had to say on the phone during an interview,"excuse me, Minister(government type not religious) I can't hear you; they're feeding the sled dogs outside my window!"
Nope, didn't take the job--a one year commitment, no salary, just room and board, no vehicles allowed and my Lab woudl have to sleep outside. Dogs dont' freeze to death the Alberta property manager said--they shiver themselves warm. I put the issue to bed as promised, called people in the States to let them know where I was, in case the commune decided to hold us hostage...they had paid for the round trip tickets...and gave the old newsman a good talking-to: any newsman worth is salt would not repeat not go to chapel twice a day and agree to virtual imprisonment on the compound; anybody who agreed was either emotionally strange or on the run. I later learned he took some of my advice to heart and secured downtown lodgings for news people. Whether his magazine ever flourished I have no idea. Whenever I heard the name Alberta, below zero temps and that whitetail and the oddball Company of the Cross come to mind.
The only time I was in Alberta, the Saksatchewan river was frozen solid, and the biggest whitetail buck I have ever seen was walking down the snow covered highway between the snow plow banks on the way from the airport to a boy's school on the river that also was the site of a newsmagazine called Alberta The school and the newmag as run by an old east Canada reporter who was a very interesting guy. It was four below zero when we checked in to a brand-new double wide travel trailer he would give me to live in if I joined his "Company of the Cross". The printer was an old hunter who joined the commune and worked the presses at night to have the mornings out after those whitetails. I had packed my business suits for a job interview because the ad was ambiguous. Leather soled city shoes were a lot of fun around the compound!
The boys were supposed to be attending an old fashioned British school for boys from wealthy families who followed theBritish mold sending the boys away to school. I wasn't there24 hours before the local "Lord of the Flies" contacted me to see if I brought anything with me he could buy and re sell: smokes, prescription drugs, Playboys. All verboten by the school administration. My redheaded wife and our infant son were with meand she waslike what have you got me into this time??? I had committed to help gettheirnext magazine to bed after the previous editor decamped for warmer lattitudes.
The boys had two major adventures a year laid onby the school. A canoe trek in spring afterbreakup following the routes of the Voyageurs,and a winter snow trek by dogsled mushing the school's pack of huskies. These were urban kids born withsilver spoons for the most part. They were usually unimpressed with the drill sergeant techniques of the school masters. It was the only news job I held (however briefly) where I had to say on the phone during an interview,"excuse me, Minister(government type not religious) I can't hear you; they're feeding the sled dogs outside my window!"
Nope, didn't take the job--a one year commitment, no salary, just room and board, no vehicles allowed and my Lab woudl have to sleep outside. Dogs dont' freeze to death the Alberta property manager said--they shiver themselves warm. I put the issue to bed as promised, called people in the States to let them know where I was, in case the commune decided to hold us hostage...they had paid for the round trip tickets...and gave the old newsman a good talking-to: any newsman worth is salt would not repeat not go to chapel twice a day and agree to virtual imprisonment on the compound; anybody who agreed was either emotionally strange or on the run. I later learned he took some of my advice to heart and secured downtown lodgings for news people. Whether his magazine ever flourished I have no idea. Whenever I heard the name Alberta, below zero temps and that whitetail and the oddball Company of the Cross come to mind.
Paul Meisenheimer
Well-known member
Great story Bill. I had to look up the Company of the Cross and it made for some interesting reading. The magazine is gone and their three schools are closed with the last closing in 2008. One of the founders is still around and was instrumental in shaping politics in Canada by helping found the Reform Party which later merged with the Conservative Party of Canada. Reform Party policies have helped shape the future of politics in Canada.
By the way, it is still really cold in the winter and once again the Saskatchewan River is frozen. No surprise there.
By the way, it is still really cold in the winter and once again the Saskatchewan River is frozen. No surprise there.
fred slyfield
Well-known member
Great stories guys, honestly I was just posting the chart as a reminder of the dangers of the cold!!
Al. shooting a wolf from a plane would be a big adventure, but I guess you can't do that one anymore, when I lived in Wyoming I knew some ranchers and state animal control guys who did a number on the coyotes and fox that way.
Bill, good story, I was waiting for the Kool-aid part of the story where you ran off into the woods and suffered frostbite escaping.
And as a gentle reminder these are redheads, (not the Ann Margret type) This is a hunting site act accordingly!!
Al. shooting a wolf from a plane would be a big adventure, but I guess you can't do that one anymore, when I lived in Wyoming I knew some ranchers and state animal control guys who did a number on the coyotes and fox that way.
Bill, good story, I was waiting for the Kool-aid part of the story where you ran off into the woods and suffered frostbite escaping.
And as a gentle reminder these are redheads, (not the Ann Margret type) This is a hunting site act accordingly!!
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Fred,
Yes, this is a hunting site. Nice picture. You chase your type of redhead and I'll chase mine. ;>) ;>) BTW The limit is one and I got mine!
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Fred,
Yes, this is a hunting site. Nice picture. You chase your type of redhead and I'll chase mine. ;>) ;>) BTW The limit is one and I got mine!
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fred slyfield
Well-known member
Dave, I settled for a brunette, (with no regrets!!! )
Have a great season
F
Have a great season
F
Phil Nowack
Well-known member
mmmmm ... Ann Margret 
I mounted a red head today.. From TX
That is a BEAUTIFUL bag of birds... and dog!!!!
I mounted a red head today.. From TX
That is a BEAUTIFUL bag of birds... and dog!!!!
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fred slyfield
Well-known member
Thanks Phil, That's my young female Chessie Whistler.
F
F
fred slyfield
Well-known member
Tod , I didn't realize what I did till after the picture was taken , usually the cans and redheads are front and center!
Al. if anyone shoots hens we usually give them a good ribbing and call them Ted Bundy of the water.
Al. if anyone shoots hens we usually give them a good ribbing and call them Ted Bundy of the water.