I had a similar bad opening morning due to poor planning. I had my tree set up months ago. I had planned my approach on paper but I never actually WALKED it this year until opening morning. My plan was to sneak along the river and use the steep river bank to stay out of sight. The problem was the river bank was so overgrown this year that I couldn't get through easily. I was working up a huge sweat in the darkness and making a ton of noise. So I figured I'd just walk IN the river. Last year it was only a couple inches deep. I stepped in the river, took a few steps and the water rushed OVER MY RUBBER BOOTS! Son of a B! Screw it - I'm already wet - might as well keep going. Now it's time to climb the bank but it rained all night and it's all muddy. Long story short I'm sliding on my ass down the muddy bank in the dark with my bow in my hand. Finally made it to the top of the bank to hear a deer blow and crash through the woods. I made it to my stand soaked in sweat, mud, and wet feet about 30 minutes before daylight. I still saw 3 does at first light but overall it was a bad start to the season.