Ice Safety

[VitaBene]

Now that it is almost time for the ice to start coming in, I thought I would start an ice safety thread.

Please chime in!

Here is my tip- carry ice picks (home made or store bought) http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html

[Bear Islander]

The Bear Island website has a page on safe ice thickness and rescue.


http://www.bearisland.org/ice_safety_information.htm

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Can we assemble a map that shows the typical open water spots?

Is it statistically consistent?

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Now that it is almost time for the ice to start coming in, I thought I would start an ice safety thread.

Please chime in!

Here is my tip- carry ice picks (home made or store bought) http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html

Always a good idea to be thinking about ice safety, but you won't have to worry about it for at least 30-45 days.

BT

[WINNOCTURN]

[QUOTE=VitaBene;113221]Now that it is almost time for the ice to start coming in, I thought I would start an ice safety thread.

We in Moultonboro have a lock on 2 of the most dangerous spots for Skimming or just plain RIDING.

We start at Greens Basin. Heading down out of the Basin the first Skimming spot is between Greens Basin, Goodwin Island and Hanson Cove. Most years the area is always open.

Probably the most notorious open water area is just down from the Basin at Marker 52 between Bryant's Point and Richardson Shores. Usually there is around 150' of open water. There have been numerous sinking's there with a fatality back in January of 2006 which was recorded by a home owner from his deck with a video camera. This was a deliberate attempt by several riders to skim the open water. Unfortunately this one fellow did not make it.

The other problem that happens in both of these areas is riders late at night following tracks in the snow, they realizing too late that they are now facing open water.

There was an incident several years ago at Bryant's Point where a group of three or four riders went into the water. All were able to get out safely, make a call to the police and rescue services. Paramedics check them and all went home.

An hour later another group of riders followed the same set of tracks and met the same fate. Fortunately they were also rescued.

We used to have a map of all the "HOT SPOTS" (AREAS that NEVER Froze) around the Lake where in most winters would never ice over. With all of the litigation today were are forced to discontinue distributing the maps and to make a broad general statement that basically says you are on your own when riding on ice covered bodies of water.

[Bear Islander]

"Skimming" over open water is against the law.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/News...ing_122004.htm

So it isn't surprising that maps showing where to do it are no longer distributed.

[WINNOCTURN]

Originally Posted by bear islander

"skimming" over open water is against the law.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/news...ing_122004.htm

so it isn't surprising that maps showing where to do it are no longer distributed.

The maps were not intended to show were you could skim. They were there to show those unfamiliar with the lake where these dangerous spots were and how to avoid riding into them. They were purely a “safety tool”. No one in any organized snowmobiling group condones skimming.

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

The Bear Island website has a page on safe ice thickness and rescue.


http://www.bearisland.org/ice_safety_information.htm

Ya know, I was thinking the same thing. Isn't this a "map" for skimming?

[fatlazyless]

Can't wait till January 15th or so, about 45-days, to get out on the Lake Winnipesaukee ice? Wait no more....the Waterville Valley Ice Arena www.watervillevalley.org/wvnh_icearena.html is open for hockey, figure and just plain skating in big circles.

Ice skating and ice hockey is a good way to get into shape for those long snowmobile rides from Meredith and up to Errol NH, to see the "Great White Moose."

For ICE SAFETY, they offer free of additional charge, these stand-up frame holders which resemble an invalid walker that glides across the ice and supports one individual skater. Comes in adult and junior sizes......& is A great skate!

The Ice Arena is huge, air conditioned heated, Zambonied, Muzaked and until next year still the home ice for the Plymouth State University Panthers hockey team at which time the State of NH will have completed the new $14-mil ice arena in Plymouth for P.S.U.

Hey, the State could have saved $14-mil by continuing to use nearby WV-Ice, but when you are the State of NH........money means nuth'n! After about 19 years of making the 20-mile drive from Plymouth to WV....they wanted their very own ice arena.....and money talks....ok....make that a 30-minute drive....big deal....14-mil and the State is now broke....no kidd'n...but I digress here....

[Bear Islander]

[QUOTE=WINNOCTURN;113292]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Now that it is almost time for the ice to start coming in, I thought I would start an ice safety thread.

We in Moultonboro have lock on 2 of the Best spots for Skimming.

We start at Greens Basin. Heading down out of the Basin the first Skimming spot is between Greens Basin, Goodwin Island and Hanson Cove. Most years the area is always open.

Probably the most notorious open water area is just down from the Basin at Marker 52 between Bryant's Point and Richardson Shores. Usually there is around 150' of open water. There have been numerous sinking's there with a fatality back in January of 2006 which was recorded by a home owner from his deck with a video camera. This was a deliberate attempt by several riders to skim the open water. Unfortunately this one fellow did not make it.

The other problem that happens in both of these areas is riders late at night following tracks in the snow, they realizing too late that they are now facing open water.

There was an incident several years ago at Bryant's Point where a group of three or four riders went into the water. All were able to get out safely, make a call to the police and rescue services. Paramedics check them and all went home.

An hour later another group of riders followed the same set of tracks and met the same fate. Fortunately they were also rescued.

We used to have a map of all the "HOT SPOTS" around the Lake where in most winters would never ice over. With all of the litigation today were are forced to discontinue distributing the maps and to make a broad general statement that basically says you are on your own when riding on ice covered bodies of water.

Your post is talking about the "Best spots for Skimming" and Moultonboro having the "Best" two.

If your intent was to condemn skimming, then you chose your words poorly.

[WINNOCTURN]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

The maps were not intended to show were you could skim. They were there to show those unfamiliar with the lake where these dangerous spots were and how to avoid riding into them. They were purely a “safety tool”. No one in any organized snowmobiling group condones skimming.

I would like to thank Bear Islander, Pineedles and Fatlazyless for keeping this thread so active. Last night at 7:00pm there were only 58 hits, this morning the count is up to 332. I'll bet that by noon time it will be over 500?

Thanks again.

[VitaBene]

[QUOTE=Bear Islander;113323]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

Your post is talking about the "Best spots for Skimming" and Moultonboro having the "Best" two.

If your intent was to condemn skimming, then you chose your words poorly.

BI, I know Winnocturn (George) is an officer of the Mboro snomo club and does not condone skimming. It was a wording thing.

Let's all be safe out there!

[SIKSUKR]

[QUOTE=Bear Islander;113323]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

Your post is talking about the "Best spots for Skimming" and Moultonboro having the "Best" two.

If your intent was to condemn skimming, then you chose your words poorly.

Funny how people see things two different ways. I thought he was pointing out the dangerous areas. Best was probably not the right wording though.

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

I would like to thank Bear Islander, Pineedles and Fatlazyless for keeping this thread so active. Last night at 7:00pm there were only 58 hits, this morning the count is up to 332. I'll bet that by noon time it will be over 500?

Thanks again.

I'm still not sure whether I should put my boxing gloves on? Were we criticized for our posts?

[beanman]

It is a lot of fun and safe within reason. Unfortunately, like in every recreational sport, not everyone is reasonable and therefore, it's now against the law. Don't get me wrong, I understand the rational and if you sink, you should be prepared to address the environmental cleanup - but - I wouldn't mind a 50 footer now and then without being concerned about a ticket from an over zealous ticket writer..... The key point is being "reasonable"....


Beanman

[townsde]

I am new to riding in the Meredith area. Are there any areas in Meredith Bay area which normally have open water when the rest of the lake is well frozen?

Thanks for the post on the open water areas in the Greens Basin area. I probably wont be up in that area but I will keep it in mind.

[6meter]

Meredith town docks, Wiers and channel, Govenors Isl bridge, Sallys Gut and usually at the northern tip of Bear Island to Pine Island has a pressure ridge that can be open. The bay is usually solid all over.

[trfour]

Let's not forget about the inlet from the Inn at Mill Falls, just beyond the docks towards the Inn at Bay Point...

Stay away from docks, inlets, outlets and channels where water currants can erode the ice thickness and never consider that the ice is safe on any body of water!

Go to the link below my signature, study the safety sections and take the tests.

Stay safe and happy sledding!
Terry

[SIKSUKR]

Watch out for the Hole-in-the-Wall channel between Little Bear and Cow Islands.