Stranded in Snow, Two Families and a Big Walk

As a father, I've read time and time again about how fathers need to be a bigger part of their kids lives. Do more things with them, take them places, go on adventures, etc.

I'm sure that Idaho dads Will Murkle and John Julian have read similar articles. Will and John are "hands-on" dads who, according to ABC News, planned a small afternoon field trip with their kids. Nothing crazy, just a "simple drive in the snow."

I'm sure you've already figured that if it was just a simple drive that ended uneventfully, I wouldn't be sharing the story with you. You would be correct.

Their SUV became stuck. And by the way, they had NO supplies. No phone service. No gas, either. Just Will and his 10 year old daughter Megun, along with John and his two kids, Samantha, 8, and Isaac, 7.

Will's wife, Chaunte Murkle expected her husband and daughter home in Boise by 5 p.m. As the hours passed, she became more and more concerned.

“I started to get the most worried probably around midnight,” she said.

Her worries were well founded. And, the group stuck in the snow also discovered there was a reason to worry.

The group sang songs and told stories to distract themselves from the cold. They also huddled for warmth, fearing what they might encounter. Eventually, the group came across ominous markings in the snow.

“The scariest thing was when we came across fresh wolf tracks,” Will Murkle said. “And we could tell wolves had been in the area recently.”

After a long, cold (not to mention scary) night, the group began to walk. And walk. And walk some more. They walked for nine hours. A total of 19 miles. The two dads encouraged the kids the entire way.

“We told them that they’d get a cheeseburger, hot chocolate, fries and a soda,” John Julian said.

The group finally came upon a cabin with a working phone and called their families. Now, you might think this trip would be looked at by the participants as being a disaster, but it was actually a great learning experience for 10 year old Megun Murkle.

While the dads and children are all doing OK, their experience has given them perspective. Megun Murkle plans on being prepared whenever she leaves home.

“I’m going to bring an extra blanket, sleeping bags, food and more water, and pillows, and a tent, and a shovel and sand,” she said.

More about their ordeal can be found here.