Swimmer Abandons 80-Mile Lake Michigan Crossing After GPS Failure
A 60-year-old swimmer's attempt to cross Lake Michigan ended prematurely due to GPS device failure and disorientation. Despite swimming 60 miles, he was forced to abort the challenging journey.
Jim Dreyer, a 60-year-old endurance swimmer, recently attempted an ambitious 80-mile (128 kilometer) crossing of Lake Michigan. This challenging endeavor, which began in Grand Haven, Michigan, with the goal of reaching Milwaukee, Wisconsin, unfortunately came to an early end on the third day of the swim.
Lake Michigan, the third-largest of the five Great Lakes by surface area, presented a formidable challenge for Dreyer. With an average depth of 279 feet (85 meters) and a surface area of 22,404 square miles (58,030 square kilometers), the lake's vastness became a significant factor in the swimmer's journey.
The attempt was cut short after Dreyer had covered approximately 60 miles (96 kilometers). The primary reason for the termination was the loss of two batteries for a critical GPS device, which led to the swimmer becoming severely off course. Without proper navigation, Dreyer found himself swimming northward instead of westward towards Wisconsin.
"What a blow! I should have been in the home stretch, well into Wisconsin waters with about 23 miles (37 kilometers) to go. Instead, I had 47 miles (75 kilometers) to go, and the weather window would soon close."
After losing the GPS, Dreyer relied solely on a wrist compass and his interpretation of the sky and waves for navigation. This primitive method, combined with fatigue, led to significant disorientation. The swimmer reported experiencing hallucinations, including visions of a steel wall and cargo ships, indicating the extreme mental and physical toll of the endeavor.
The decision to abort the swim was influenced by deteriorating weather conditions, with forecasts predicting 9-foot (2.7-meter) waves. This, coupled with Dreyer's exhaustion and disorientation, made continuing the journey potentially dangerous.
It's worth noting that water temperatures in Lake Michigan can vary greatly, from near freezing in winter to over 80°F (27°C) in summer, adding another layer of complexity to long-distance swims.
This attempt was not Dreyer's first encounter with Lake Michigan. In 1998, he successfully crossed the lake, starting from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and finishing in Ludington, Michigan. However, since last summer, he has made four unsuccessful attempts to replicate this feat.
Lake Michigan, whose name is derived from the Ojibwa word "mishigami" meaning "great water," has been the site of over 1,500 shipwrecks, underscoring the challenging and sometimes treacherous nature of its waters.
Despite the setback, Dreyer's attempt highlights the allure and challenges of open-water swimming in one of North America's largest freshwater bodies. As the only Great Lake located entirely within the United States, Lake Michigan continues to captivate adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.
