BWCA death on W. Fern?

[adam246]

Anyone hear about a lost hiker dying at somebody's campsite on W. Fern Lake last Monday? I just heard a rumour this AM -- curious 'cause I was 2-3 lakes away.

[adam246]

It would've been Sun. nite/Mon. AM (may 16 / 17)

[Steve Foss]

That's news to me. And if it was news, I'd likely know (not that some things don't get past me). If hard evidence, e-mail.

------------------
"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[OUTDOORNUT]

When? I was up on Gillis and the Fern's for opener, I think we can home with everyone!

[JAR JAR]

I heard on the news last night that a 59 year old man came into a campsite and said he had been lost for two weeks and when they woke up in the morning they found him dead and no foul play was susspected here is the link http://www.wdio.com/index.cfm?viewer=\rootprod\wdio\shared\storyViewer&storyID=2340&queid=0l

[lotalota]

Fired a gun three times an hour? To wake him up??? That's a hell of a way to wake somebody up. How about "dude, you gonna wake up?", and maybe a little shake? If that doesn't wake a guy up then maybe he needs to be put in the canoe and evacuated. Seems a little goofy to me.

lota lota...

[Surface Tension]

That article leaves a lot of questions to be asked.

[walleyehawk]

Wonder what happened to his two hiking companions? This does not seem to add up.

Does this happen much where someone gets lost in the BWCA?

[Fisher Dave]

There are questions to be asked .. but some answers that are clear if you think about it for a second...

*Fired 3 shots an hour in a dual attempt to attract attention* ...

This would be mainly an attempt to attract US forest service, etc.. anyone with ability to get help, or has a radio for communication. I couldnt believe anyone in this situation would try to wake someone up with gunfire.. but I'm sure they would have loved to see his eyes open for any reason.

A very good question is .. who was his traveling companions? Was this missing person reported? Maybe the guy was delerious? I guess anything is possible.

The article is clearly stated but confusing... It should have been worded differently.

Most of us that hunt know that *3 shots* is a distress signal.. I guess there are many campers that may not know this, or assistance may have come sooner. I know I would have traveled to find the source if it had been repeating hourly.

[Guest]

Weird is the key word here!
I spent 8 years as a BWCA Ranger. The odds
of me hearing 3 gunshots would be nil. If'n
I did I'd check since as posted it's a distress signal. But with all the echo's
where do you start.
This story has more holes than my boat, and
unfortunately I can't get ahold of anyone
in the know.
Believe you me stranger things have happened
in the wilderness, just ask a county sheriff,
lot's of suicides you never hear of, etc..
It'd take me days to relate some stuff I'd
seen!!!

regards,
Cedarsitter

[lotalota]

Hey Cedarsitter,

I'm sittin' here waiting for my fiberglass to firm up on the boat. How 'bout a few of them stories???

lota lota...

[KEVINS800]

yea, when in basswood 2yrs ago i heard 3 shoots and went to the area and found a guy in need of a cell phone to get some help for his boat motor! happened i had a spare plug for him and thats all he needed! but lucky he had the gun or he would have been swimming! better to have it and not need it, then not have it and wish you did!

------------------
WHAT GOES AROUND, WILL COME AROUND

[Surface Tension]

I found this article from the Cook County New and Herald.

Man found dead on Kekekabic Trail
Cook County News-Herald
Last Updated: Friday, May 28th, 2004 08:42:16 AM

Staff reports
On Monday, May 17, Rictor Auman, 59, of Grand Marais, died on West Fern Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
According to Mark Falk, Cook County Chief Deputy Sheriff, Auman left Grand Marais on April 27 to hike the Kekekabic Trail.
His plans were sketchy, but he had given indications to acquaintances that he might hike to Ely.
On Sunday, May 16, six canoeists from Two Harbors were setting up camp on West Fern Lake when they heard someone yelling for help at the west end of the lake. They checked it out and discovered Auman.
Auman told them that he had been lost for two weeks and said he had been with two trail volunteers when they became seperated.
Falk said the fishermen reported that Auman had a pack with some food, extra clothes, matches and a cook set with him. He told them that he had some more gear, but he that he had set it down by a river somewhere and lost it.
The fishermen brought him to their camp where they shared some fresh water and fish with him, Falk said. Considering that he had been lost for two weeks, Auman seemed in relatively good condition.
He spent the night at their site, electing to sleep by the fire. The fishermen were going to help him get out the next day, Falk said.
In the morning they discovered Auman sleeping by the fire in the rain. He continued to sleep throughout the morning, but never woke up.
Unknown to them, Auman may have slipped into a state of unconsciousness, Falk said. At one point, they became concerned and attempted to wake him up, to no avail. They signaled for help by firing a gun three times every hour, but the Grand Marais man never woke up and no one responded to their signals for help, Falk said. Shortly before sunset, Auman died.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Forest Service received the report of Auman’s death on Tuesday, May 18. Later that afternoon, authorities from both agencies were flown into West Fern Lake to investigate.
Falk said Auman’s body was then evacuated and transported to the Cook County North Shore Hospital and eventually to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner where a post mortem examination was performed. The cause of death is still pending, but foul play is not suspected, he sai