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Traversing a Frozen Lake&nbsp;	The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. This unsettling and unexpected sound caused the man’s heart to sink and his sudden stopping. For the moment he decided not to proceed any further. The man took a deep breath, then exhaled as fear and trepidation filled him.	He paused, hesitant to take another step. As cold as it was, the man was surprised to hear the ice crack from his weight. It was the dead of winter, and while it took longer for the lake to freeze over, and as cold as it was the man was shocked to hear the ice crack with his step.	The man surveyed his surroundings. Everything was cold, and lifeless. The barren trees, the snow-covered ground, the gray overcast sky, and the rapidly approaching blizzard made his journey back to his cabin even more ominous and harsh,	 The frozen lake offered him the quickest and most direct route home. The winds had driven the snow on the lake to where it was not as deep as the rest of the land. The journey around the lake would take much longer and be more physically grueling because of the deep snow that blanketed the countryside. On top of that he was just ahead of a blizzard that was rapidly approaching.	For now, the man thought that he had two choices, neither of which were good. He could continue his trek across the frozen lake where he may be taking chances crossing some thin ice, or he could go around the lake in which he would have to traverse through deep snow and drifts with the possibility of getting caught in white-out conditions. Both choices were dubious at best.	He knew that going around the lake was probably safer, but it was beginning to snow harder than it had been, and right now time was of the essence. He did not want to be caught out in the terrible blizzard, especially one with white-out conditions.	It was a real Hobson’s choice.	The man cursed himself for going out like he did. Deep down he should have stayed in his cabin. He was an experienced outdoorsman. He had been hunting and trapping the area for years and knew that he shouldn’t have taken such an uncalculated chance. He knew better.	He also knew that it was not only the animals that were deadly out here, but the elements as well. It was better to not be out in them if one could avoid it. For the elements could be even deadlier than the animals in many cases.	Now, he felt trapped by the frozen lake and the oncoming storm.	He was between the rock and proverbial hard place.	Indecision was even worse. The man knew that he had to decide on his next course of action, and quickly.	The man stepped back. He knew that falling through the ice meant death. He also knew that there was no one else around to help or save him. He was just a lonely hunter trying to make his way through the northern wilderness. He had to consider his next move carefully or it could be his last.	He was bundled up enough to tolerate the cold, winter conditions, but that would work against him if he fell through the ice. The weight of his clothing and supplies would work against him if he went through the ice.	Meanwhile the temperatures were dropping, and the blizzard was approaching.	The man continued to study his surroundings. As he scanned the lake, and the surrounding countryside, the silence was almost deafening. Only the occasional creaking of branches, and limbs when a slight breeze blew through the trees broke the cold, lonely silence of the northern countryside.	The man decided to take a step forward. Once again, he heard the frozen lake crack beneath his feet. He felt a chill go through him, not from the cold but from the very thought of what could happen should he decide to proceed further out onto the lake.	So far, so good.	Slowly, the man took another step forward. He heard the ice crack again. This time it sounded louder. His heart sank a little more. 	The man grunted to himself in frustration. His options for getting back to his cabin were rapidly shrinking. He turned around to look and see how far out he had walked onto the frozen lake. He figured he was about twenty yards out on the lake. If he fell through, it would be about chest deep as it was now.	The man shook his head, frustrated. He was about four hundred yards away from the other side of the lake. So, close, and yet so far. Even at that, he was still at least an hour or more from his cabin.	The man turned to look at sky as well as the approaching storm. Behind him the snow was falling harder, and the conditions were worsening. 	He took another step. Once again, the ice cracked. It was louder than the previous step that he took. The man knew that there was danger to the front of him, as well as behind him. He felt like nature or at least God was either out to get him or against him.	The man stepped back. With each step he took back, the ice cracked. Finally, he reached a place on the frozen lake where the ice did not crack. This put him a little closer to the shore. He knew traversing the frozen lake, while quicker and more expedient was also potentially deadlier.	He also did not want to trek through the deep and drifting snow. He was already tired from his earlier journey, and did not know if he could make it. The man knew if went that way he would end up right in the middle of the blizzard.	He looked upwards. The light-gray clouds were giving way to darker, steel-gray clouds, and the wind was picking up. The man took a deep breath and exhaled. His head told him to proceed but his gut told him not to.	He was battling himself and nature. The man knew that sometimes trusting your gut instinct was better than following your experience. It had saved his life many times.	After some hesitation, the man had a thought. An idea. He wondered if he could traverse the lake, not by walking across it but around it, while staying closer to the shore. It was the only option that he could think of. While it would take longer to get home, it would not be as bad as going over the snow-covered countryside, and not be in as much jeopardy as walking across the lake.	As he began to move along the lake at the same distance, he no longer heard the frozen lake crack beneath his feet. As he began his trek, the snow fell harder, and the wind blew harder. The snow pelted his exposed face, stinging it as he made his way home.	His hesitation had cost him. 	He continued, as the blizzard hit the northern countryside with a vengeance. He was caught out in the frozen hell of e blinding snowstorm. The man knew in his heart that the elements and nature itself had somehow conspired to get him.	Even with the odds against him, the man continued his trek, as the blizzard enveloped him. There was no turning back now. It was do or die.	The man would meet his fate one way or another. 	Nature would see to that.

Traversing a Frozen Lake

TomSawyerwr1t3r

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Traversing a Frozen Lake

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Tom Sawyer

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