Harrowing day ! (LONG story) - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/10/2006 08:06:37 PM · #1

Since I don't work tonight, I decided I would spend the day taking pics. What can go wrong there right? Well - lets say I definitely took one for the team today. I went to the O Kun De Kun Waterfall this afternoon to try and get some nice winter falls shots. I kept thinking how it was a real shame that the trail to the falls brought me on the one side, as clearly there would be a better view from either the other side, or at least the middle. Now normally I will not walk on frozen water - lakes, rivers, ponds, doesn't matter. I have always had a fear of falling through. Today I set aside that fear - and you guessed it, I fell through! Freezing water half way up my chest, camera in one hand, and the Velocity 9 sling pack on my back which is holding my brand new L glass and my 50mm 1.8 lenses. As soon as I heard the ice pop, my camera arm shot up like a flag pole keeping the old 300D out of the river, at the same time I snagged the sling pack off myself and slid it back towards the safe area I had just crossed. Now the trick was getting out of the water. I could only use one hand as I had to keep the camera safe. Took three attempts as the ice kept breaking around me as I tried to lift up out of the water. Finally I got out, but did end up getting snow all over the camera and the Sigma lens. Being that it took 10-15 seconds to climb out, my down jacket is now holding who knows how many gallons of water, my jeans are instantly freezing to my skin, and to top it all off the only partially dry bit of clothing is my shirt - which I have to remove while standing outside in the snow so I can use that tiny dry upper portion to dry off the camera after blowing the snow off it. I get the camera dry, put my shirt back on, and test the camera - yes! it still works. Now to get the rest of the way off the ice. I had one leg go through one more time, but only to the knee, then got to safe ground. Working in the ED medical field, I know that it only takes 15-30 seconds in ice cold water to get hypothermic, and now I had a 1.3 mile hike in wet clothing back to the truck. Thanks goodness for friends. Just so happens a friend lived not too far from the falls - way closer than the 1 1/2 drive home for me, and I was able to go over and dry my clothes before returning home. I am indebted to him for life. I could not stop shivering for over 2 hours. My feet are still like ice. But - at least the camera and lenses are all fine. Will post some pics later, once I warm up and get them downloaded - including the shot I took of the hole I created that I took from above before I left the area.

Note to self: if going near water, always take extra clothing and boots (for the drive home had no choice but to wear soaking wet boots and freeze my feet again)

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

01/10/2006 08:10:45 PM · #2

Wow, you are right--you had quite a day. Glad it turned out "alright", and both you and the camera and lenses are ok.

Did you get any pictures?

Katmystiry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/10/2006 08:12:06 PM · #3

Wow!! Glad to hear YOU are ok and your camera too!!

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

01/10/2006 08:23:27 PM · #4

First off, it's good to hear that YOU are ok! Second, I'm glad to hear you have fast reflexes when it comes to your camera and bag!

Again, happy to hear you're ok, and I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures as well.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

01/10/2006 08:24:33 PM · #5

Whoah, sounds like an adventure. I haven't gotten this camera wet yet but I did slip climbing up a rocky hill the second day I had it, and landed on the arm I was holding it in though.. scared me but it didnt break anything.

And I had my SD400 in my pocket when I was on a bike ride and it started pouring rain and hail, got drenched including the camera, but just pulled the battery and SD card out when I got home and it worked fine when I turned it back on.

FotoMunki

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/10/2006 08:31:53 PM · #6

Wait a minute...wasn't your Oops entry "On thin ice"? Now that's creepy!

What a story! Glad you hear you are alright! Can't wait to see the pics!

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

01/10/2006 08:33:46 PM · #7

Glad to hear you are all right! What a story - thank goodness you had a friend nearby to help out.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/10/2006 08:36:52 PM · #8

what's funny is that my cell phone was in my coat pocket - and it still works! lol My Palm Pilot was in the other pocket and took a hit though :-( I'm hoping in time it'll dry out and be okay.

As for me - other than being very cold, I have had one heck of a headache for the past couple hours - that's all.

Here's the hole I made in the ice, which ended up not being as thick as I thought it was in that area.

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/10/2006 08:40:00 PM · #9

Note to self: Go with friends! Glad you're OK!

espy2

Nikon D50

01/10/2006 08:43:41 PM · #10

It's an awful thing...LMAO...but I'm sorry. Reading your story made me laugh so hard! It was like watching the movie "The Out Of Towners" with Jack Lemmon. If you have never seen it, rent it. LOL...Whatever can go wrong, does.

On the other hand, this should definately be carried over to the "you know your obsessed with photography when" thread!

Rose

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

01/10/2006 08:49:35 PM · #11

Originally posted by Rose8699:

yes, I've seen the movie and you can laugh. I'll probably be laughing about it myself once this dang headache goes away. Oh - and then as I left my friends house, a big doe ran right in front of me and came with mm's of being in my freezer.

Message edited by author 2006-01-10 20:49:52.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

01/10/2006 08:53:47 PM · #12

Linda, so glad you're allright, and that you didn't panic and knew how to get out of a tight situation.

Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Tele-Macro for Canon

01/10/2006 08:55:42 PM · #13

Originally posted by ursula:

Linda, so glad you're allright, and that you didn't panic and knew how to get out of a tight situation.

yep - threw my fat body up out of that hole like a big old sea lion. lol

espy2

Nikon D50

01/10/2006 08:58:40 PM · #14

OMG! LOL....You're killing me here! I'm rolling...

The deer? The sea lion?

My Lord. I think its time you have a nice cup of hot tea and sit in the tub for about 1/2 hour with a good book!

Rose..LOL

Message edited by author 2006-01-10 20:59:05.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/10/2006 09:05:21 PM · #15

Great story ShutterPug. I can visualize it totally. I think it was so funny how your first thought was to "save the camera".

To make you feel better, it takes 15-30 MINUTES to induce serious hypothermia in cold water...

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

01/10/2006 09:07:07 PM · #16

Linda! Are you insane?!?! Well......skip that question! Are you alright? Is the camera okay????? lol

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/10/2006 09:14:49 PM · #17

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

that's good to know - my toes are still cold from being in the ice cold boots for the 30 minute hike out of the woods and then the 30 minute drive to shelter. Have no idea why I have such a bad headache - but it's gotten worse to the point that I doubt I'll get the pics PP'd tonight. Feeling kinda sick to my stomache

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

01/10/2006 09:18:08 PM · #18

I was really worried when I started reading about your *adventure*, but am so glad that you are alright, and of course, that the camera equipment is safe. It's interesting to note that survival instincts include the camera gear!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/10/2006 09:19:15 PM · #19

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Great story ShutterPug. I can visualize it totally. I think it was so funny how your first thought was to "save the camera".

To make you feel better, it takes 15-30 MINUTES to induce serious hypothermia in cold water...

that's good to know - my toes are still cold from being in the ice cold boots for the 30 minute hike out of the woods and then the 30 minute drive to shelter. Have no idea why I have such a bad headache - but it's gotten worse to the point that I doubt I'll get the pics PP'd tonight. Feeling kinda sick to my stomache

When dogsledding, if you fall through the ice and get wet and can't get dry, they tell you to run behind the sled, You'll generate enough heat in your legs to keep from getting frostbite or hypothermia. You may have to chip the ice off of your boots to get your feet out at the end, but you should be OK.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/10/2006 09:19:40 PM · #20

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

I'm no doctor, but that sounds like a touch of shock to me. Makes sense too now that you are out of danger and the reality of the near-miss has set in.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/10/2006 09:20:28 PM · #21

nah - I'm thinking the stress gave me a migraine is all

jsas

Sony Mavica CD250

01/10/2006 09:33:15 PM · #22

That was a close call glad you are safe.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

01/10/2006 09:40:28 PM · #23

Linda, I think you deserve a few days in sunny FL for all that bother. Gimme a call, guest room is always open. :)

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/10/2006 09:44:08 PM · #24

wow- glad you're ok!!! ummm can I just say I can't believe you took a pic of that hole?!?!?! I would be running my ass off for warmth! You are crazy! :0P