I had a somewhat similar experience on an Alaska hike with friends. It was July in the 80s and we were in I am not kidding The Musical Mountains. We hiked in on Organ Glacier, most of us went up Calliope and Eagle Peak and on the way out we had to cross Eagle River which was well braided but the final braid was deep and fast and cold as fresh ice melt can be. We roped each person and they crossed on a tippy well positioned log. Well, it was too tippy for me and I went into the water with a heavy pack on. I hold it against Bledsoe that he took my photo before he hauled me out. I'd lost a lot of feeling in my limbs and on the final six miles to the end of trail I wanted to stop and sleep, but no one would let me. I don't think I'd have died because I was on land and it was July, but the folks who were with me wanted to take a chance. When we got to the parked cars, someone had gone ahead and picked up a six pack of cola. I could feel the sugary fluid turning into heat in my gut, the transition from refrigerated lassitude to some sort of awareness and volitional motion was pretty fast. I think I was even able to drive home.

I had to go into work the next day. Ten hour days doing 4 days a week. I zoned out with my head propped on the screen. I was working for a martinet but he didn't show up that day.

Ah, youth!