I think I spend alot of time out in the bush. I always figure I know where I'm going or where I'm at.
This was not true Sunday.
I almost need maps to explain this so, google map "Harriet Hunt Lake, Ketchikan Alaska". If you can topo map it, it would be better.
The lake is about a 30 minute hike from the open alpine muskkeg (prairie essentially), that is just north of Harriet hunt, if you follow the snowmobile trails. I was parked at the northernmost cul de sac west of the lake.
Well, there's more than one snowmobile trail but I assumed (i know) that all of the snowmobile trails ended in the huge muskkeg.
I was wrong.
I followed one and ended up one saddle east of my destination where friends were to be waiting. If you have topo you will see I had to climb really high really fast to get to the of the ridge. I assumed I was looking down on the muskkeg I was heading for to meetup with Rick.
I was wrong again. I had overshot the top of the saddle and was off the other side.
The bush here is thick, I mean thick, like going through a hedgerow.
I decided to head due west to the ocean or a logging road. I found one, overgrown with alders but passible about 4 km away from my truck
I finally ended up on hardpack gravel road. I walked it till i hit Revilla Rd, which was WAY away from my truck. I started walking and hitchhiking back to the truck. Finally a country boy picked me up as city folk don't pick up cammoed rifle holders.
Anyway, I expected and planned for a 30 minute hike and sitting in a ground blind all day hunting. I started at 7am and ran out of water by 10. I could have filled up in any creek had I had my water filter, but a 30 minute hike, who needs it; RIGHT?
I made a mistake, actually a few. My main mistake was that I planned to the schedule, and what I knew. I never planned for Murphy to visit.
Always plan for Mr Murphy. Always, always, always. Had I broken a leg sliding down the creek I was in, I would have never been found, or found 2 days later.
Assume nothing.
This is another reason I don't go out alone here.
Anywho, I hope someone learns my mistake.
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