Snowshoer Plunges Through Ice, Survives Frightening Fall

On December 29, 2025, Katie Shatusky, 43, experienced a frightening incident while snowshoeing on Lake Orono. She unexpectedly fell through the ice near what she believed was the shore. Despite the shock, Shatusky remained calm and was able to grab onto a nearby tree branch, which prevented her from fully submerging.

Her snowshoe became entangled in the roots of the tree, providing an anchor. After freeing her foot, she pulled herself out of the frigid water. Shivering, she called her husband, Todd, who helped guide her back to safety using a locator app and descriptions of nearby houses.

Shatusky, who had received the snowshoes as a Christmas gift and was only using them for the second time, shared her experience and offered safety tips. These included not venturing out alone, letting someone know your location, carrying ice picks, keeping a phone accessible, and remaining calm during emergencies. She expressed a newfound reluctance to snowshoe on lakes.

Reflecting on the near-disaster, Shatusky acknowledged her luck, particularly the presence of the tree branch. The event, though terrifying, also brought a moment of humor as she jokingly blamed her husband for the snowshoes, recalling her lifelong residence in Minnesota and her limited snowshoeing experience.