Kelsey Haas, a Homer resident, didn’t panic when she fell into an icy patch earlier in the winter. Although it was her first fall through ice, Haas, a Homer resident, knew a few tricks for getting out of the water.
None of these techniques required the use of the carcass from a snowshoe-hare.
It was November. Haas was skating with about a dozen other people to the Grewingk Glacier. Kachemak Bay State Park’s 13-mile-long glacier is a favorite destination, especially during winter. It’s only a short boat ride from Homer to reach the glacier. The trek is about two miles, partially over frozen lakes.
The 29-year old hiking and rafting guide had been there before in both winter and warm months. Her friends were also experienced adventurers. They were able to pull ropes and rescue equipment, and test the thickness of the ice using ice screws.
Haas discovered the remains of a snowshoe-hare while exploring the glacier. It was quite mysterious, she thought.
She said, “It wasn’t warm, it was not super stiff, but I didn’t want to eat it, because I don’t know how it died.” It was very interesting. There were no puncture wounds.”
Haas decided not to give up the carcass. She wanted to bring it home to preserve the fur and skin it.
Haas and her friends later discovered an ice formation as the sun was setting.
Haas stated that everyone knew it was thin ice, and that it wasn’t a good idea.
The arch was just too tempting and beautiful for her to resist and she wanted it to be hers.
Haas knew that there were trained, well-equipped individuals who could assist her in case of emergency. She also had warm clothes in her bag. She gave in to her fate and skated through it as fast as possible.
She found an open hole instead of thin ice.
Haas stated that her instincts kick in when she falls in the water. She felt instantly cold and knew that she needed to return the way she came, towards where the ice was stable at least partially. She knew she had to place her body horizontally in order to lift herself from the water.
The air in the dry bag she carried on her back kept her afloat. She still had the dead Hare.
She said, “I don’t know how I didn’t let that go.”
She slapped the hare onto an ice shelf when she reached the edge. The cold surface quickly frozen the wet carcass. Haas claimed that she used the frozen snowshoe Hare as an anchor to lift herself out of the freezing water.
Before her friends could help, she was out.
“I looked at them and thought, ‘I just need to skate as fast and as quickly as possible, and get my body temperature back up.
After she returned to shore, a group was waiting for her.
She said, “It was like they were a pit crew and everyone just swarmed my.” “[They] took all my clothes off. “I looked like a giant marshmallow.”
Haas stated that one of her biggest challenges was taking off her ice skates because they were so hard to remove. She recalled three people pulling on each of her skates, and trying to get them off. She was finally able to take her skates off but it took her a mile and half to reach the water taxi.
Haas stated that “my coldest thing was feet.” “My feet were pretty numb on the entire hike back.
Haas admitted that she was able laugh about the incident immediately, but it had a lasting impact on her life.
She said, “When I close my eyes I have a flashback.” “I didn’t sleep for several days. “I realized that this was likely more traumatizing than I thought.
Haas stated that the most important thing when exploring places such as Grewingk Glacier is to ensure your safety.
She said, “It is so important to recognize this level of risk.” Always have dry clothes, use a dry bag, always have a throw rope, and have everything you need to rescue people from the ice.
What about the snowshoe-hare Haas used as a means to get out of the icy water?
She said, “I want slippers.” It’s a great material for making slippers.
