That bog i have here has finally thawed up and as it has been dry for over a week, the mud-conditions are just perfect. Bottomless and thick as we all love it!
I'm all geared up with chest-waders, two layers of waterproof clothes and long gloves to keep the cold mud out and finally want to really try out that snorkel i have bought last year.
My favorite spot has turned into a hungry and ruthless mudpit that just pulls me deeper down with every move i try. When i'm chindeep, i put on that snorkel and use a headband to keep it upright. With help of my arms i'm able to sink deeper and deeper, i close my eyes and sink down and finally well above my head with ease. Wiggling my feet just drives me deeper until there is about one foot of thick and sticky bog between the top of my head and the surface. One arm is stuck right next to my body, the other i keep upright to at least keep contact with the surface and to check that at least the top of the snorkel stays above the surface.
Adrenaline is rushing and my heart is pumping like crazy because of all that pressure around me! I have never been that deep before but it not only feels so exciting but also strangely comfortable, too.
When i try to move up again i notice that something is wrong. That area consists of about 4-5 feet of thick peat and deeper down below it does get softer and a bit more watery. This is the old lakebed apparently. So my feet do find no bottom to push against and the thick mud does hold me in place. There is no way to just pop up back again like in the videos of the producers.
As i have made it out obviously:
I know that bog and its risks from a lot of former sinks, although i have never been this deep. So before going deep i have had carefully placed a log of some tree right in front of me and am able to grab it with my free hand. It takes a lot of effort to finally pull my other, buried arm out of the bog and grab the log with both hands. I pull and pull and pull, very slowly making progress.
Only when my head is above the surface again and i'm finally able to breathe freely again, i realize what kind of dangerous adventure this has been
Questions: What would you have done and what kind of safety protocols do you follow? Do you have any plan B??