dry pond sinking questions (found new spot!)

[CreamyClayK]

About a year ago I found an old pond on google maps, and today I went to scope it out. The whole thing is surrounded by dense brush, trees, and reeds so it's very secluded and private. I tested the mud at the edge with a stick, and I couldn't find a bottom. The mud is black and grey, real soft. A muddy delta formed where a small creek feeds in to the pond, and it goes pretty far out. It seems like it'll be a solid sinking spot but I have worries.

1) no bottom, i know it's easier to push a tiny stick into mud than it is to actually sink down as a whole person, but should i bring a rope of some sort just in case?

2) there's not really any good spots for cleanup, all the water is surrounded by deep mud. Any suggestions on a waterless cleanup?

3) Animals. has anyone had issue with stuff like snakes or turtles or critters coming up to them while they're sinking, and if so, how do you avoid that?

[emailnexus]

If you’re actually worried about getting stuck and needing assistance then bring a flat wood board. It will give you leverage.

You’ll want some jugs of water for clean up. Some kind of soap and a change of clothes. Then a trash bag to put all the dirty stuff in.

Animals will depend of where you live. I’d be concerned of spiders and ticks and take precautions against those the most. Use tick repellent to get in and out of your location. Spiders up in webs hanging from trees or amongst reeds usually aren’t problematic (other than getting webs on you). But the types of spiders living in ground burrows or under logs can definitely be the bitey kind. So don’t just sit on any log laying around the water just because it looks like a convenient seat as something probably lives in or under it.

[ayria]

I'm not sure how helpful a rope actually is. I agree something like a board could help.

As I understand it the big thing that can make it easy or hard to get out is footwear. It's easiest to get out barefoot but that gives you no protection against buried sharp objects. So if it's my first time somewhere I'll wear something like water shoes, or maybe those wetsuit socks that have kevlar soles. Light and flexible so it has little impact on movement but gives some protection. (But once I think a spot is safe I'll go barefoot, I much prefer the feeling.)

If you prefer sinking in shoes or boots then yeah, much more chance of getting seriously stuck.

Clean-up wise, probably most spots I've explored are like that. I accept that I won't get anywhere near completely clean on site - in fact I'll be in a state that the average person would call "covered in mud". Oh how little they know... But anyway I'd wash off or swim in the water then walk back through the mud, can't help my legs getting muddy again but at least my upper body can get cleaned up. Once I'm on dry land I'll use a scraper or something to remove most mud, then wash with water I brought mainly focusing on my hands for that, then put clothes on. I got some seat protectors and extra floor mats for my car.

[bogbud]

Proper advice has been already given. Only another 2cents:

Regarding the depth, that's not a problem at all. When you're swimming in the ocean there is also "no bottom" and no one cares. For me, finding no bottom is a minimum requirement for a useful sinking-spot . Bringing a board or a long and stable enough piece of wood is the only tool you need to haul yourself out, maybe you can also use it to "glide" over the surface to reach far more out. When sinking alone, i seriously doubt a rope will be of any use at all.

Wildlife depends on where you live. Any larger one will try to avoid you and you should have no problem as long as you don't surprise or step on one. Bugs, ticks and the like are the ones you have to care about. Bring repellant and lots of it.

I have no advice regarding clean-up as i only sink in waterproof gear (including boots) and colder weather. Still, a bottle of water and a towel are part of my gear, too, to get rid of all that mud on my face after a dramatic submersion.

[Jimothy]

In my experience, if you can’t feel the bottom in a bog or a pond, that’s usually no biggie. By the point you reach chest deep, buoyancy will kick in and you’ll have to push yourself after that. As long as you know what you’re doing, you should be okay. For peace of mind, a board will be useful as it spreads out the weight.

Wildlife: I suppose it depends. The bogs I used to visit often had cattle around but as long as you keep your distance you should be fine. If you’re that concerned, perhaps have a bear bell on your bag; they’re more scared of you. Bugs will be your biggest worry so have some bug spray.

Cleanup: that’s something I myself have yet to master.