The Official 2010 Ice-in Thread

Lakegeezer · 12-20-2009, 04:05 PM

The ice is safe in spots. I ventured out on it today and measured the thickness at several spots, although stayed close to the shoreline and in shallow water. A good three inches of solid black ice. The ice is very strong, with no water showing around the rocks. 3" of black ice is not "throw caution to the wind" safe, but its reasonably safe for one person walking. You can see the bubbles and the cracks all the way through the ice, it is so clear and easy to tell how deep it is. Hopefully those on Lake Pemmi took the proper precautions.

NoBozo · 12-20-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

The ice is safe in spots. I ventured out on it today and measured the thickness at several spots, although stayed close to the shoreline and in shallow water. A good three inches of solid black ice. The ice is very strong, with no water showing around the rocks. 3" of black ice is not "throw caution to the wind" safe, but its reasonably safe for one person walking. You can see the bubbles and the cracks all the way through the ice, it is so clear and easy to tell how deep it is. Hopefully those on Lake Pemmi took the proper precautions.

In years past (1969-1974).. I have sailed across 3" of black ice on the Broads east of Rattlesnake on a DN Iceboat. EXCELLENT. 60 MPH or better...under SAIL. Did a LOT of Ice Boating in those years. On Winni...Usually in the spring when the snow settles and freezes at night. ...right up to Ice Out.

NB

Mr. V · 12-20-2009, 10:12 PM

Ice yachting on Winni looks like fun!

VitaBene · 12-21-2009, 07:05 AM

Mr V, that is great.

I remember 5 or six years ago we had a cold December and January with little or no snow- the ice on Waukewan was great for skating, and as it turned out, iceboating! They were awesome to watch.

Reminds me of one of the old Hardy Boys books I used to read as a kid! Cabin Island was the title I believe.

breathe easy · 12-21-2009, 09:55 AM

In today's Conway Daily Sun:

Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the Cold Region Research Laboratory in Hanover offers a "rule of thumb" on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of 6 inches of hard ice for individual foot travel, and 8 to 10 inches of hard ice for snow machine or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) travel. Keep in mind that it is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.

alsadad · 12-21-2009, 10:38 AM

I had an idea for a complementary contest. We could call it Darwin’s Bar Wins. In the spirit of “survival of the fittest” (and vice versa), the goal is to predict most closely the time (and place?) of the first vehicle to go through the ice. As the name suggests, the prize would be a gift certificate good for a few rounds at a local establishment (anyone willing to donate?). Regarding the rules, I think the incident should involve a car or truck, not a snowmobile or ATV, and it should not involve any injury.
Any other thoughts regarding rules or guidelines?

trfour · 12-21-2009, 12:27 PM

Lake Ice formation; http://www.gi.alaska.edu/alison/ALIS...ence_Lake.html

Pineedles · 12-21-2009, 01:59 PM

I think it would be in extremely poor taste to promote such a contest.

OCDACTIVE · 12-21-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I think it would be in extremely poor taste to promote such a contest.

I was thinking the same thing.. Especially if someone where to get hurt. Shouldn't benefit by someone else's down fall. (no pun intended)

Mink Islander · 12-22-2009, 10:27 AM

Right on schedule....

Lakegeezer · 12-22-2009, 12:18 PM

Things are getting really safe now around the northeast quadrant of the lake. Four inches of black and clear ice. I've attached a few pictures. One of cracks, to show the depth. The other was taken in five feet of water by laying the camera right on the ice.

Lakesrider · 12-23-2009, 05:58 PM

Took this from out back of the church in Melvin Village tonight on the way home. Looks like plenty of ice setup in the bay at least.

WIS · 12-24-2009, 04:56 PM

Here are some photos we took around Alton during the month of December:

We've also uploaded a short video taken in Minge Cove during the second week of December showing us breaking our way out of the ice covered cove:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-W...es/75623911712

Ropetow · 12-24-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIS

Here are some photos we took around Alton during the month of December:

We've also uploaded a short video taken in Minge Cove during the second week of December showing us breaking our way out of the ice covered cove:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-W...es/75623911712

That video is great. Thanks.

upthesaukee · 12-25-2009, 12:27 AM

1. Not only a great video, but 2. you also seem to have found one particular suave and debonaire fan

.

3. Today while driving by the area of Alton Bay and the bandstand, I was witness to what apparently is Capt Bonehead transformed into Evel Kneivel, riding a dirt bike on the ice in the bay, going past the bandstand heading out towards Sandy Point, doing a wheelie as he passed the bandstand, and when he put the front wheel down, did so in not so gentle a manner. I guess he figured that by going fast, the bike would skim the water like a snowmobile if he broke through

. Good news was that when I came out of the Bay Post Office after getting my mail, he was just coming off the boat ramp, and parking next to his pickup truck.

hilltopper · 12-28-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

3. Today while driving by the area of Alton Bay and the bandstand, I was witness to what apparently is Capt Bonehead transformed into Evel Kneivel, riding a dirt bike on the ice in the bay, going past the bandstand heading out towards Sandy Point, doing a wheelie as he passed the bandstand, and when he put the front wheel down, did so in not so gentle a manner. I guess he figured that by going fast, the bike would skim the water like a snowmobile if he broke through

. Good news was that when I came out of the Bay Post Office after getting my mail, he was just coming off the boat ramp, and parking next to his pickup truck.

If this is the guy you saw, it sounds like he did his homework before heading out...

http://pub32.bravenet.com/forum/stat...91510&cmd=show

Lakegeezer · 12-28-2009, 01:13 PM

What was very safe ice around here on Saturday has turned tricky. The rain on Sunday formed pools on the lake, which ran into cracks and formed fairly large holes, some big enough for a foot or very small dog to fall into. There is a crackling crust where the remaining standing water froze, but not all of it, as some water remains between the 1/8" crust and 4" base of ice. Now its snowing, which will cover the drain holes. All should be safe again after a few days, but with a snow cover, it will be hard to tell. Stay safe!

HomeWood · 12-28-2009, 03:31 PM

I'll be up in 4 weeks from today. It needs to get cold fast. Thanks for the updates LG.

12-20-2009, 04:05 PM	#1
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,692 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 646 Times in 294 Posts	some ice is safe The ice is safe in spots. I ventured out on it today and measured the thickness at several spots, although stayed close to the shoreline and in shallow water. A good three inches of solid black ice. The ice is very strong, with no water showing around the rocks. 3" of black ice is not "throw caution to the wind" safe, but its reasonably safe for one person walking. You can see the bubbles and the cracks all the way through the ice, it is so clear and easy to tell how deep it is. Hopefully those on Lake Pemmi took the proper precautions. __________________ -lg

12-21-2009, 07:05 AM	#4
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,644 Thanks: 1,718 Thanked 1,662 Times in 861 Posts	Fun Mr V, that is great. I remember 5 or six years ago we had a cold December and January with little or no snow- the ice on Waukewan was great for skating, and as it turned out, iceboating! They were awesome to watch. Reminds me of one of the old Hardy Boys books I used to read as a kid! Cabin Island was the title I believe.

12-21-2009, 10:38 AM	#6
alsadad Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 45 Thanks: 8 Thanked 41 Times in 10 Posts	Complementary contest I had an idea for a complementary contest. We could call it Darwin’s Bar Wins. In the spirit of “survival of the fittest” (and vice versa), the goal is to predict most closely the time (and place?) of the first vehicle to go through the ice. As the name suggests, the prize would be a gift certificate good for a few rounds at a local establishment (anyone willing to donate?). Regarding the rules, I think the incident should involve a car or truck, not a snowmobile or ATV, and it should not involve any injury. Any other thoughts regarding rules or guidelines?

12-21-2009, 12:27 PM	#7
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,067 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Lake Ice formation; http://www.gi.alaska.edu/alison/ALIS...ence_Lake.html __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

12-22-2009, 10:27 AM	#10
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Water temp is 35 degrees at Lakeport Right on schedule....

12-20-2009, 10:12 PM	#3
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,476 Thanks: 68 Thanked 265 Times in 182 Posts	Ice yachting on Winni looks like fun!

12-21-2009, 09:55 AM	#5
breathe easy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 98 Thanks: 7 Thanked 23 Times in 9 Posts	In today's Conway Daily Sun: Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the Cold Region Research Laboratory in Hanover offers a "rule of thumb" on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of 6 inches of hard ice for individual foot travel, and 8 to 10 inches of hard ice for snow machine or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) travel. Keep in mind that it is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.

12-21-2009, 01:59 PM	#8
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,550 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 672 Times in 369 Posts	I think it would be in extremely poor taste to promote such a contest.

12-22-2009, 12:18 PM	#11
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,692 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 646 Times in 294 Posts	Ice at 4" Things are getting really safe now around the northeast quadrant of the lake. Four inches of black and clear ice. I've attached a few pictures. One of cracks, to show the depth. The other was taken in five feet of water by laying the camera right on the ice. __________________ -lg Last edited by Lakegeezer; 09-27-2025 at 05:38 PM.

12-23-2009, 05:58 PM	#12
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Took this from out back of the church in Melvin Village tonight on the way home. Looks like plenty of ice setup in the bay at least.

12-24-2009, 04:56 PM	#13
WIS Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Winnipesaukee, NH Posts: 34 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 9 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Here are some photos we took around Alton during the month of December: We've also uploaded a short video taken in Minge Cove during the second week of December showing us breaking our way out of the ice covered cove: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-W...es/75623911712 __________________ Winnipesaukee Island Services - Moorings, Docks, and General Construction 603-707-4677 www.WinnipesaukeeIslands.com

12-25-2009, 12:27 AM	#15
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,616 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,483 Thanked 1,988 Times in 1,088 Posts	Three observations 1. Not only a great video, but 2. you also seem to have found one particular suave and debonaire fan. 3. Today while driving by the area of Alton Bay and the bandstand, I was witness to what apparently is Capt Bonehead transformed into Evel Kneivel, riding a dirt bike on the ice in the bay, going past the bandstand heading out towards Sandy Point, doing a wheelie as he passed the bandstand, and when he put the front wheel down, did so in not so gentle a manner. I guess he figured that by going fast, the bike would skim the water like a snowmobile if he broke through . Good news was that when I came out of the Bay Post Office after getting my mail, he was just coming off the boat ramp, and parking next to his pickup truck. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

12-28-2009, 01:13 PM	#17
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,692 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 646 Times in 294 Posts	Ice is tricky on 12/28 What was very safe ice around here on Saturday has turned tricky. The rain on Sunday formed pools on the lake, which ran into cracks and formed fairly large holes, some big enough for a foot or very small dog to fall into. There is a crackling crust where the remaining standing water froze, but not all of it, as some water remains between the 1/8" crust and 4" base of ice. Now its snowing, which will cover the drain holes. All should be safe again after a few days, but with a snow cover, it will be hard to tell. Stay safe! __________________ -lg

12-28-2009, 03:31 PM	#18
HomeWood Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clayton,NC / Sanbornton,NH Posts: 611 Thanks: 126 Thanked 137 Times in 75 Posts	I'll be up in 4 weeks from today. It needs to get cold fast. Thanks for the updates LG.

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