The Official 2011 Ice-in Thread

Island Girl · 01-05-2011, 09:32 PM

All it takes is one calm very cold night to skim over once the lake is cold enough. Then it has to stay cold with no rain for some period of time. A layer of snow messes things up.

It was skimmed over this morning but gone this afternoon, according to sources on my island. It will do so again tonight if it stays calm.

The problem we have had is warm daytime temps, and some wind. That dissipates a good night work!

I prefer it waits till Sunday to freeze then any snow over the weekend would not insulate the ice and hamper the freezing process.

To be safe to play on is another matter.... that does take time.

When the lake cracks and groans, the ice is growing!!!

DRH · 01-05-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

When the lake cracks and groans, the ice is growing!!!

For those of you who have never heard the ice "talk", it is really quite fascinating. As the ice grows, expands, contracts and cracks, it makes a variety of sounds ranging from a watery "whale talk" noise to loud booms that sound like gunshots. Sometimes on a cold winter night the "whale talk" sounds create a constant background din that goes on for hours. When stress cracks form, they are often loud enough to wake you up from a sound sleep.

Smith Point · 01-09-2011, 02:56 PM

DHR, thanks for the shot,(your making me smile) are those ice traps off of sleepers? And did I see 4weeler track’s in the foreground?

Lucy Goose · 01-09-2011, 04:07 PM

First house is out and saw 3 people out there digging holes or whatever it is they do. I personally am petrified of it. Haven't seen any snowmobiles yet though.

DRH · 01-09-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smith Point

DHR, thanks for the shot,(your making me smile) are those ice traps off of sleepers? And did I see 4weeler track’s in the foreground?

Nope ... that's the red/white marker off Sleepers near the Castle, and what looks like ATV or snowmobile tracks are just cracks in the ice. You're not the first one to ask me about the ice cracks!

Ropetow · 01-09-2011, 08:19 PM

Was that you out there this afternoon, Riverat, with the ice house proudly flying the Stars & Stripes?

riverat · 01-11-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropetow

Was that you out there this afternoon, Riverat, with the ice house proudly flying the Stars & Stripes?

That was me, the shack is back! going out today and tidying up a bit. Broke my thumb during the unloading but it is worth having my seasonal house on the lake with a fabulous view.

This'nThat · 01-11-2011, 08:07 AM

Bob houses and sleds are all over Alton Bay, now. Drilling shows ice thickness between 4- 8 inches on 10 Jan. Need a few more inches before trusting a truck on the ice. Except for our Jimmy folks, of course. All they need is insurance and a cell phone to call for help.

Grant · 01-11-2011, 11:01 AM

Research has revealed that 100% of vehicles that fall through the ice were driven on ice. Therefore, a direct correlation can be drawn between vehicles that are not driven on the ice and those that need not be retrieved by Dive Winnipesaukee.

Lakesrider · 01-11-2011, 12:45 PM

Wolfeboro bay is skimmed over enough that there are a few Bob houses over near the Brewster Boat House side. I was down there this morning listening to the ice making noise. Sounded like African Drums....

John A. Birdsall · 01-11-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

Wolfeboro bay is skimmed over enough that there are a few Bob houses over near the Brewster Boat House side. I was down there this morning listening to the ice making noise. Sounded like African Drums....

I am sorry to inform you but that was FLL who trying to get his boat out fell in and is trying to get out from under the ice. Ya al have a great day up there and lets not hear of any soaking trucks in ze lake.

rander7823 · 01-11-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

Research has revealed that 100% of vehicles that fall through the ice were driven on ice. Therefore, a direct correlation can be drawn between vehicles that are not driven on the ice and those that need not be retrieved by Dive Winnipesaukee.

Maybe all trucks should have warning labels on the dashboard

Do not drive on lake with less than 10 inches of ice. Water is very cold and could cause death after short exposure.

That may help minimize frivilous law suits

BoulderBronco · 01-11-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rander7823

Maybe all trucks should have warning labels on the dashboard

Do not drive on lake with less than 10 inches of ice. Water is very cold and could cause death after short exposure.

That may help minimize frivilous law suits

10"? No thanks. Minimum 14" for me. Remember it may be 10 where the hole is but 20' over it may only be 8. With 14" it's a pretty safe bet all the ice around you is thick enough for a truck.

Lakesrider · 01-11-2011, 07:03 PM

I drove around the lake tonight and it looked pretty well frozen up everywhere I could see. But I was driving so I could have missed some still open water. I thought I saw a thin sliver of open by Ames Farm. Not sure. I'd say Ice in.

Slickcraft · 01-11-2011, 09:17 PM

Still some open water between Welch and Diamond.

DRH · 01-12-2011, 09:28 AM

Some neighbors were skating on the ice near the shoreline just northwest of Minge Cove yesterday. They estimated the ice thickness at around 5" in that area, but they said it was thinner just inside the mouth of the cove.

lakefr · 01-12-2011, 07:27 PM

Has anybody been on the ice between Bear and Browns? I'm itching to walk across, but I don't want to make the drive unless it is safe.
Thanks!

Mink Islander · 01-12-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakefr

Has anybody been on the ice between Bear and Browns? I'm itching to walk across, but I don't want to make the drive unless it is safe.
Thanks!

Thinking about trekking out to Mink on Saturday. Cattle Landing is always the question mark early in the season. So FLL, any sleds running thru there? Cut any holes? Inquiring minds want to know!

Bear Island South · 01-13-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Thinking about trekking out to Mink on Saturday. Cattle Landing is always the question mark early in the season. So FLL, any sleds running thru there? Cut any holes? Inquiring minds want to know!

MI - Let me know if you make it out there, we are itching to get up there too.

Merrymeeting · 01-13-2011, 08:59 AM

With nothing but white showing on all the active webcams, 15+" of snow on the ground, and temps not expected above freezing for a long time, I think it's time to declare it's in.

fatlazyless · 01-13-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Thinking about trekking out to Mink on Saturday. Cattle Landing is always the question mark early in the season. So FLL, any sleds running thru there? Cut any holes? Inquiring minds want to know!

Have yet to see any snowmobiles travel through, going past buoy 3

Offshore from Mark Island, there's an area of black all surrounded by the white ice which sure looks like open water as seen from about a half mile away.

Have not drilled any holes so have no idea as to thickness.

Mink Islander · 01-14-2011, 07:24 AM

I'm going to wait another week -- need to get those home projects out of the way so I'm free for a few weeks after anyway....

I'm sure the sleds will be all over that part of the lake this weekend.

Thanks for the undate Les.

JB Long Island · 01-11-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by This'nThat

Bob houses and sleds are all over Alton Bay, now. Drilling shows ice thickness between 4- 8 inches on 10 Jan. Need a few more inches before trusting a truck on the ice. Except for our Jimmy folks, of course. All they need is insurance and a cell phone to call for help.

Sounds good ! If anyone happens to be off Harilla's would love to get a report on the ice thickness -hoping its safe for next weekend.

01-05-2011, 09:32 PM	#1
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,358 Thanks: 18 Thanked 577 Times in 183 Posts	One night, then a lot of cold All it takes is one calm very cold night to skim over once the lake is cold enough. Then it has to stay cold with no rain for some period of time. A layer of snow messes things up. It was skimmed over this morning but gone this afternoon, according to sources on my island. It will do so again tonight if it stays calm. The problem we have had is warm daytime temps, and some wind. That dissipates a good night work! I prefer it waits till Sunday to freeze then any snow over the weekend would not insulate the ice and hamper the freezing process. To be safe to play on is another matter.... that does take time. When the lake cracks and groans, the ice is growing!!! __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

01-09-2011, 02:56 PM	#3
Smith Point Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Smith Point/ Bangor ME Posts: 199 Thanks: 203 Thanked 36 Times in 19 Posts	a little to the left DHR, thanks for the shot,(your making me smile) are those ice traps off of sleepers? And did I see 4weeler track’s in the foreground?

01-09-2011, 04:07 PM	#4
Lucy Goose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 228 Thanks: 29 Thanked 108 Times in 29 Posts	First ice house out on Melvin Bay. First house is out and saw 3 people out there digging holes or whatever it is they do. I personally am petrified of it. Haven't seen any snowmobiles yet though.

01-09-2011, 08:19 PM	#6
Ropetow Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rochester, NH / Bartlett, NH Posts: 322 Thanks: 228 Thanked 33 Times in 13 Posts	Alton Bay Was that you out there this afternoon, Riverat, with the ice house proudly flying the Stars & Stripes?

01-11-2011, 08:07 AM	#8
This'nThat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 534 Thanks: 19 Thanked 134 Times in 61 Posts	Ice 4'' - 8'' in Alton Bay Bob houses and sleds are all over Alton Bay, now. Drilling shows ice thickness between 4- 8 inches on 10 Jan. Need a few more inches before trusting a truck on the ice. Except for our Jimmy folks, of course. All they need is insurance and a cell phone to call for help.

The Following User Says Thank You to Island Girl For This Useful Post:
Pepper (01-05-2011)

01-11-2011, 11:01 AM	#9
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,510 Thanks: 387 Thanked 234 Times in 128 Posts	Research has revealed that 100% of vehicles that fall through the ice were driven on ice. Therefore, a direct correlation can be drawn between vehicles that are not driven on the ice and those that need not be retrieved by Dive Winnipesaukee. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

01-11-2011, 12:45 PM	#10
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Wolfeboro bay is skimmed over enough that there are a few Bob houses over near the Brewster Boat House side. I was down there this morning listening to the ice making noise. Sounded like African Drums....

01-11-2011, 07:03 PM	#14
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	I drove around the lake tonight and it looked pretty well frozen up everywhere I could see. But I was driving so I could have missed some still open water. I thought I saw a thin sliver of open by Ames Farm. Not sure. I'd say Ice in.

01-11-2011, 09:17 PM	#15
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,386 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	Not quite yet Still some open water between Welch and Diamond.

01-12-2011, 09:28 AM	#16
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,698 Thanks: 1,211 Thanked 678 Times in 180 Posts	Some neighbors were skating on the ice near the shoreline just northwest of Minge Cove yesterday. They estimated the ice thickness at around 5" in that area, but they said it was thinner just inside the mouth of the cove. __________________ DRH

01-12-2011, 07:27 PM	#17
lakefr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bear Island Posts: 11 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ice between Bear and Browns? Has anybody been on the ice between Bear and Browns? I'm itching to walk across, but I don't want to make the drive unless it is safe. Thanks!

The Following User Says Thank You to Mink Islander For This Useful Post:
lakefr (01-14-2011)

01-13-2011, 08:59 AM	#20
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,228 Thanks: 304 Thanked 799 Times in 368 Posts	With nothing but white showing on all the active webcams, 15+" of snow on the ground, and temps not expected above freezing for a long time, I think it's time to declare it's in.

The Following User Says Thank You to fatlazyless For This Useful Post:
Mink Islander (01-13-2011)

01-14-2011, 07:24 AM	#22
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Ice-in I'm going to wait another week -- need to get those home projects out of the way so I'm free for a few weeks after anyway.... I'm sure the sleds will be all over that part of the lake this weekend. Thanks for the undate Les.

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