Safe ice?

Geena · 03-13-2007, 01:42 PM

Hey all,

the mild weather makes me wonder how safe the ice will be this weekend (and the next week). I have never been to the area before and appreciate answers from someone with local expertize

-Geena

Lakegeezer · 03-13-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geena

Hey all,

the mild weather makes me wonder how safe the ice will be this weekend (and the next week). I have never been to the area before and appreciate answers from someone with local expertize

-Geena

The lake is probably still a few weeks from becoming generally unsafe, but this year has been unusual. The early weak spots will be near the edges, near rocks and near dock bubblers. While safe, the lake is not as usable as it was a few days ago. A slush layer is forming on top of the ice, which can be several inches deep. You need good high waterproof boots to keep your feet dry. Snowmobiles may get bogged down in the slush. Test the ice before trusting it (good to do anytime of year). Scrape away the slush from a spot if you can and try to estimate how thick and if its becoming brittle. Whack it with a stick or rock. If you can still see solid ice, and if it makes a solid thump when whacking - you are OK. When the ice gets to about 6-8" thick, it will start becoming honeycombed, and brittle. That is the sign to stay off of it. Be safe. Report your findings here. It changes every day.

codeman671 · 03-13-2007, 07:49 PM

I plan on making an island run on Saturday in the airboat, I will report what I find. If anyone needs their house or dock checked out in the Gilford/Mark/Bear area I can drive by, I need an excuse to go out and play.

RI Swamp Yankee · 03-14-2007, 12:01 PM

codeman671, I wonder if one of these is yours. I took the pix 2-24-07 in Meredith.

codeman671 · 03-14-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RI Swamp Yankee

codeman671, I wonder if one of these is yours. I took the pix 2-24-07 in Meredith.

No, those are actually hovercraft. This is mine before it came down from Canada:

Just Sold · 03-14-2007, 12:58 PM

Codeman671 have you been out a night yet? It would really wake someone up to see those 4 spots (on the fan shroud) lit up

if your were tooling down the ice or open water.

codeman671 · 03-14-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Sold

Codeman671 have you been out a night yet? It would really wake someone up to see those 4 spots (on the fan shroud) lit up

if your were tooling down the ice or open water.

Not yet, my wife has been rather stingy allowing me time to use it lately. There is 400,000 candlepower up there, they do light up the path well.

Smitty1 · 03-14-2007, 02:25 PM

Very Cool!!!!!

Smitty

Weirs guy · 03-15-2007, 10:58 AM

codeman, swing by my place this weekend and we can do some major shadow puppets!

codeman671 · 03-15-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

codeman, swing by my place this weekend and we can do some major shadow puppets!

Sounds good

...Sunday is my day to get out I guess. It sounds like we should have a decent layer of snow to ride on so my teeth won't get rattled out. it is not a smooth ride on glare ice.

Weirs guy · 03-16-2007, 11:00 AM

I dragged my son out on the ice last night by the Pier. It was safe and looks to be plenty thick enough under the slush/water on top, so make sure you have on good water proof boots even after tonight's snow.

We did find an actual ice hole that was completely through and big enough to get a stick into. Never seen one before, but it was fun telling my son the ice had "sprung a leak"!

DRH · 03-18-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

Sounds good

...Sunday is my day to get out I guess. It sounds like we should have a decent layer of snow to ride on so my teeth won't get rattled out. it is not a smooth ride on glare ice.

We saw you codeman, coming out of Minge Cove at around 11:15 AM.

We watched as you went across the lake and around the southeast tip of Rattlesnake. How was the ride?

EricP · 03-18-2007, 01:52 PM

Codeman671,

I'd be interested in learning a bit more about that boat. Have you taken it on the lake in the summer? how does it handle in the rough water?

Thanks,
Eric

GWC... · 03-18-2007, 05:43 PM

Curious minds need to know...

Wonder if he stayed 150' from Bob's house or was he traveling at headway speed?

Looks closer than perhaps it really was...

Say one thing, sure is ease to spot. Now if only kayaks were as easily discernable.

codeman671 · 03-18-2007, 07:04 PM

Overall we had a great time, but my tail bone may tell you otherwise. There was hardly anyone out which surprises me as the conditions were quite good. The faster we went the smoother the ride, although with the blowing snow today it makes it hard to see obstacles and react with enough time to tail spin to stop or turn.

We left from Glendale, headed to Mark for a bit and then went around the back side by Timber, across the witches and back to Glendale to drop of a few passengers. We then headed down toward Rattlesnake to visit a friend (who was not there) so we headed into Minge Cove to see if his car was there. I was "caught in the act" on the way out. We then went around the Broads side of Rattlesnake, and back to Mark. The last leg of our trip was over by Eagle, under the GI bridge and back to Glendale.

We did not find anything mushy, everything was crusty, hard and fast. Even around the pressure ridges it seemed very solid. There was one pressure ridge still off Ellacoya out to Welch but all others had dissipated. The crust was quite thick and made a lot of noise on the hull when under way. In powder conditions the boat is very quiet inside (all things considered having a 6' fan and 350hp strapped to your butt) but today we could have used earplugs.

I do not see any issues for snowmobilers but a few warm days coud change things quickly.

SIKSUKR · 03-19-2007, 09:30 AM

Codeman,what is the hull made out of that would withstand the thrashing it would take from ice?

codeman671 · 03-19-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Codeman,what is the hull made out of that would withstand the thrashing it would take from ice?

It is fiberglass, reinforced hull but has a 1/2" thick polymer wrap that covers the bottom and part way up the bow and sides. Basically anything in contact with the ice/snow is hitting the polymer which is extremely tough stuff.

Weirs guy · 03-19-2007, 11:07 AM

Yesterday was a great day out on the ice, 8"-10" of solid black ice covered by another 14"-16" of ice in varying states. I was surprised more people weren't out. If this week stays cold with a weekend warm up we should have a great day or two out on the ice coming up!

Loon E. Tunes · 03-22-2007, 12:40 PM

Hey Weirs guy,

How do you think the ice will look this weekend for walking after all the warm weather?

Tim

03-13-2007, 01:42 PM	#1
Geena Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Safe ice? Hey all, the mild weather makes me wonder how safe the ice will be this weekend (and the next week). I have never been to the area before and appreciate answers from someone with local expertize -Geena

03-14-2007, 12:01 PM	#4
RI Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Kingstown RI Posts: 688 Thanks: 143 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts	codeman671, I wonder if one of these is yours. I took the pix 2-24-07 in Meredith. Attached Images __________________ Gene ~ aka "another RI Swamp Yankee"

03-14-2007, 12:58 PM	#6
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,083 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	Did you say lights! Codeman671 have you been out a night yet? It would really wake someone up to see those 4 spots (on the fan shroud) lit up if your were tooling down the ice or open water. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

03-15-2007, 10:58 AM	#9
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	codeman, swing by my place this weekend and we can do some major shadow puppets! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

03-16-2007, 11:00 AM	#11
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I dragged my son out on the ice last night by the Pier. It was safe and looks to be plenty thick enough under the slush/water on top, so make sure you have on good water proof boots even after tonight's snow. We did find an actual ice hole that was completely through and big enough to get a stick into. Never seen one before, but it was fun telling my son the ice had "sprung a leak"! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

03-13-2007, 07:49 PM	#3
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 221 Thanked 810 Times in 486 Posts	I plan on making an island run on Saturday in the airboat, I will report what I find. If anyone needs their house or dock checked out in the Gilford/Mark/Bear area I can drive by, I need an excuse to go out and play.

03-14-2007, 02:25 PM	#8
Smitty1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 142 Thanks: 44 Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts	Very Cool!!!!! Smitty

03-18-2007, 01:52 PM	#13
EricP Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 329 Thanks: 28 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Airboat Codeman671, I'd be interested in learning a bit more about that boat. Have you taken it on the lake in the summer? how does it handle in the rough water? Thanks, Eric

03-18-2007, 05:43 PM	#14
GWC... Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,325 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Curious minds need to know... Wonder if he stayed 150' from Bob's house or was he traveling at headway speed? Looks closer than perhaps it really was... Say one thing, sure is ease to spot. Now if only kayaks were as easily discernable. __________________ [Assume funny, clever sig is here. Laugh and reflect... ]

03-18-2007, 07:04 PM	#15
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 221 Thanked 810 Times in 486 Posts	Overall we had a great time, but my tail bone may tell you otherwise. There was hardly anyone out which surprises me as the conditions were quite good. The faster we went the smoother the ride, although with the blowing snow today it makes it hard to see obstacles and react with enough time to tail spin to stop or turn. We left from Glendale, headed to Mark for a bit and then went around the back side by Timber, across the witches and back to Glendale to drop of a few passengers. We then headed down toward Rattlesnake to visit a friend (who was not there) so we headed into Minge Cove to see if his car was there. I was "caught in the act" on the way out. We then went around the Broads side of Rattlesnake, and back to Mark. The last leg of our trip was over by Eagle, under the GI bridge and back to Glendale. We did not find anything mushy, everything was crusty, hard and fast. Even around the pressure ridges it seemed very solid. There was one pressure ridge still off Ellacoya out to Welch but all others had dissipated. The crust was quite thick and made a lot of noise on the hull when under way. In powder conditions the boat is very quiet inside (all things considered having a 6' fan and 350hp strapped to your butt) but today we could have used earplugs. I do not see any issues for snowmobilers but a few warm days coud change things quickly.

03-19-2007, 09:30 AM	#16
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Codeman,what is the hull made out of that would withstand the thrashing it would take from ice? __________________ SIKSUKR

03-19-2007, 11:07 AM	#18
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yesterday was a great day out on the ice, 8"-10" of solid black ice covered by another 14"-16" of ice in varying states. I was surprised more people weren't out. If this week stays cold with a weekend warm up we should have a great day or two out on the ice coming up! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

03-22-2007, 12:40 PM	#19
Loon E. Tunes Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	March 23-25 Hey Weirs guy, How do you think the ice will look this weekend for walking after all the warm weather? Tim