Glacier National Park Hiker Stuck Shoulder-Deep in Mud

Many people who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s heard warnings that quick sand would be one of the biggest dangers when they became adults.

In Cartoons, Action Movies and The Never Ending Story the main characters always found themselves in quicksand or slipping and falling into it. When adulthood finally caught up with me, I discovered there was no endless supply of quicksand just waiting for me to fall into.

John Pratt, Getty Images

I heard about a girl who slipped off the path of a well-known hiking trail in Glacier National Park earlier this summer. She lost her footing while taking pictures and fell into a patch of glacial mud. She was completely submerged in the mud within seconds. Thankfully, she was not alone. There were friends with her, and together they pulled her out of the mud before it got much worse.

This story caused a flashback to my own nightmares. They weren't based upon the hike but on years of duck hunting experience where I know firsthand how bad the mud can get. My boots have sunk deep into the mud. At times, I have questioned whether I am going to lose a boot or tear a muscle while trying to pull it back out. If you have ever duck hunted a marsh or slough, then you are aware of how badly mud clings to you like its purpose is to never let you go.

I can’t imagine how frightened she must have felt.

woman in black tank top and black shorts standing on rocky mountain during daytime

For that reason, this article brings home the point that Glacier National Park has a way of getting the best of experienced outdoor enthusiasts. While we discuss such topics as bears, mountain lions, steep drop offs and unexpected weather conditions, few people include "Being swallowed whole by Mud" on their Glacier Bingo Card.

Angelique Nijssen

Afterwards, the young hiker said she believed she could not have gotten out of the mud if she hadn’t had friends with her. I believe this is probably the single greatest lesson to be taken away from this incident. Whether it be hiking through Glacier National Park, floating down a river, or sneaking into a marsh at dawn, having someone with you will often make all the difference between staying safe and becoming a victim.

Maybe we shouldn’t dismiss the cartoons we used to watch so quickly. Maybe there aren’t thousands of acres of quicksand in the United States. But Montana still has plenty of ways to keep you humble.