Interesting story.
N.W.T. snowmobiler had 'to fight' for his survival
Last Updated: Friday, December 28, 2007 | 10:49 AM CT
CBC
A stranded snowmobiler who spent more than five days on Great Slave Lake without food or heat said his determination to live played a big part in his survival.
"I'm not going down without a fight, I thought. No matter what, to the end I'm going to fight it," Henry Catholique told CBC News from the warmth of a Yellowknife hotel room Thursday where he was recovering.
The 34-year-old man, who left Yellowknife last Friday for his home 200 kilometres away in Lutsel K'e, was discovered by searchers Wednesday, about 70 kilometres from his out-of-gas snow machine.
Although Catholique was cold, tired and hungry when he was found, he suffered only swollen hands, blistered feet and a bad knee from the ordeal.
He said he managed to get warm and stay warm by forcing himself to walk.
"Walking was the only thing that kept me alive, I think," he said.
When he got tired he'd build a snow shelter and crawl in to rest for a couple of hours but he would always make himself get up and start walking again, he said.
He tried to keep hydrated by drinking slush water laying on top of the ice. He chewed spruce gum for much-needed energy.
Although Catholique missed Christmas, he said his family is going to cook a turkey especially for him when he arrives home Friday.
N.W.T. snowmobiler had 'to fight' for his survival
Last Updated: Friday, December 28, 2007 | 10:49 AM CT
CBC
A stranded snowmobiler who spent more than five days on Great Slave Lake without food or heat said his determination to live played a big part in his survival.
"I'm not going down without a fight, I thought. No matter what, to the end I'm going to fight it," Henry Catholique told CBC News from the warmth of a Yellowknife hotel room Thursday where he was recovering.
The 34-year-old man, who left Yellowknife last Friday for his home 200 kilometres away in Lutsel K'e, was discovered by searchers Wednesday, about 70 kilometres from his out-of-gas snow machine.
Although Catholique was cold, tired and hungry when he was found, he suffered only swollen hands, blistered feet and a bad knee from the ordeal.
He said he managed to get warm and stay warm by forcing himself to walk.
"Walking was the only thing that kept me alive, I think," he said.
When he got tired he'd build a snow shelter and crawl in to rest for a couple of hours but he would always make himself get up and start walking again, he said.
He tried to keep hydrated by drinking slush water laying on top of the ice. He chewed spruce gum for much-needed energy.
Although Catholique missed Christmas, he said his family is going to cook a turkey especially for him when he arrives home Friday.
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