Ambrose Cove, 15 North and South

[hancoveguy]

Someone mentioned self rescue ice spikes... not a snowmobiler yet, what are these and what are they used for?

HCG

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by hancoveguy

Someone mentioned self rescue ice spikes... not a snowmobiler yet, what are these and what are they used for?

HCG

When you are floating in the water it is near impossible to pull yourself back up onto safe ice since it is so slippery. One way to prepare for this type of emergency is to carry two spikes attached to a cable that are draped over your shoulder. You use these spikes to dig into the ice and pull your weight back onto safe ice. One issue I have found with these spikes is they can be dangerous in a crash as they are sharp and can puncture your body. I am always trying to find creative ways to keep them accesable in an ice emergency but out of the way in the event of a crash which is a more likely outcome on the trails.

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

One issue I have found with these spikes is they can be dangerous in a crash as they are sharp and can puncture your body. I am always trying to find creative ways to keep them accesable in an ice emergency but out of the way in the event of a crash which is a more likely outcome on the trails.

My spikes are home made. I cut off a nail head and drove one end into a 1" dowel. To keep it safe, I stuck a wine cork on the pointy end. It has not yet been field tested, but the theory is that you break the cork as you hit the ice with the dowel. Perhaps, pulling off the cork will be required. My other concern is that with the dowel up my sleeve a bit, it would be hard to find it while swimming in ice water. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has experience in using the spikes.

[codeman671]

There were a lot of reports last night on the 11pm news about people going through the ice and a few deaths. It is too early to be on the ice!!!! With the fluctuations in temp and winds we have had lately the ice is not uniform. A solid 5" in one place could be a weak inch or two not far away.

Dont be foolish people! It is not worth it.

[HomeWood]

I have the store bought spikes. They're orange and the spike ends plug into each other and they're connected with what looks like a coiled telephone wire. The only thing I don't like is they are awkward to carry because they're long when plugged together.

I like the way that F&G officers carry theirs. They have them in a pocket on their arm.

I don't have one, but you could always get one of those water activated PFD and wear it under your coat.

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by codeman671

There were a lot of reports last night on the 11pm news about people going through the ice and a few deaths. It is too early to be on the ice!!!! With the fluctuations in temp and winds we have had lately the ice is not uniform. A solid 5" in one place could be a weak inch or two not far away.

Dont be foolish people! It is not worth it.

The crew from Rockwood Maine went out to mark the trails across Moosehead Lake to Kineo last week. They encountered 5” of ice and turned around to wait for more cold weather. We also heard that a pilot who flew over the lake saw open water on the north part of the lake.
My point is it’s been a LOT colder up in this region and they still have not deemed it safe to be on that lake, although it did freeze over more than a month ago.

[Bear Island South]

For the price, they are a must have for anyone venturing on to the ice.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products...ice_picks.html