Official 2019-2020 Ice In Thread

[Island Girl]

This is the Official 2019-2020 Ice-in Thread. Please post your comments about this year's Ice-in here. The air temperatures are falling and a few coves are freezing so it is time to begin our annual discussion. This might be a little early... but I missed last ice out so thought I would get this started.

It is typically 33-35 degrees at the Weirs when the broads skims over. The Lake temperature reported by the Winnipesaukee Dataphone is 40 degrees. (12-12-2018) Two years ago the lake temperature was nearly 46 degrees. The lake level is a bit high at 503.53 this year up from 502.93 in October.

The Ice-in page is live at www.rattlesnakecam.com/watch.htm. If you have a webcam or know of one, please post the information in this thread and I will add it to the page. If you have a webcam that I have in the defunct section of the ice in page, please post here if it will be coming back at some point.

For those of us who are addicted to watching the lake freeze, enjoy. If you are new to the lake, come back often and watch the progress of Ice-in!

Please visit this thread for the latest news and the Ice-in page for current images of the freezing progress. (Please click on the ads at webcam sites and support the sponsors. This provides revenue to keep the cams alive)

As always Please post your pics of the freezing lake here.

Stay safe!
IG

____

[LIforrelaxin]

I vote we skip ice-in this year and go right for ice-out..... Just sayin.... It would be a nice change of pace.....

[AC2717]

ice out after the fishing derby is a good call!!

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by AC2717

ice out after the fishing derby is a good call!!

I agree. Right after the derby and two pond hockey tournaments. Ice out by March 1st


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[MAXUM]

There may be no ice yet but it's freezing out there right now - cold boat ride to Bear this morning.... BRRRR. Won't be long before the ice starts to set.

[WJT2]

What is the condition of Lily Pond?

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by WJT2

What is the condition of Lily Pond?

The condition of Lily pond is...Wet!

[fatlazyless]

On Friday, December 13, 2019, Little Squam Lake in Ashland and Holderness NH, with 408 acres size, measuring 2640' width x 10497' length, at an elevation of 570', was observed to be totally 100% frozen across its' entire water surface.

And on Saturday, December 14, 2019, Little Squam Lake was observed to be approximately 99% all totally, ice free, open water with just a little shoreline ice close to the www.waltersbasin.com/

Therefore: Little Squam Lake ice-in unofficially happened on Dec 13, 2019,

and, Little Squam Lake ice-out unofficially happened on Dec 14, 2019.

So's ……. how's about that! …..

[daveschappell]

Surprised to see a thin layer of ice today, probably because of no wind, snow, and cold conditions. It extends out from our house (on Parker Island Road, on Wolfeboro Neck) about 100 feet toward Parker Island. Then we can see other sections as well. Likely only temporary... but with even colder temps on the way, who knows? #BringOnSpring

[webmaster]

The shoreline on Paugus Bay is also skimmed over today:

[Blue Thunder]

That’s probably just floating snow given the wind direction....

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

That’s probably just floating snow given the wind direction....

I think we've got some real ice on Paugus Bay now:

[chaseisland]

Only floating snow I've ever seen was usually supported by ice.

[Pine Island Guy]

I left Pine Island yesterday because I was sure that we'd have a pretty good skim of ice today with the cold temps, however the wind must have been too much for it to freeze...

Maybe this weekend... or maybe I'll be going back out in the Alumacraft...

Stay safe! -PIG

ps: The Pine Island webcam is back up and operational http://charlesyoung.com/pineislandeast.jpg, thank you Island Girl for including it on your page!

[Merrymeeting]

Supposed to be very calm tonight and tomorrow. Conditions are right for a lot of flash freezing.

[MAXUM]

Lots of new skim ice formed last night looking at various web cams. Be nice if we see consistent temps in the next few weeks.

[Sal]

The "fat" part of Moultonborough Bay is mostly iced over , , , thinly but
able to hold snow. Certainly not able to hold a sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer, but
perhaps soon . . . . .

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I vote we skip ice-in this year and go right for ice-out..... Just sayin.... It would be a nice change of pace.....

Wouldn't be the first time. There have been years when the lake never completely froze.

[Mink Islander]

The area north of Mink Island skimmed over for the first time this season last night.

[Mink Islander]

Beautiful evening on the lake.

[fatlazyless]

Meredith Village Savings, out front of that Gilford Lowe's is definitely the place to go for your totally free cup of k-cup hot coffee with flavors like Newman's Own organics or Keurig Double Diamond dark roast or Donut Shop regular in a bank quality cup. They have quite the coffee set-up, off in a corner, and no one says nothing to ya ...... so's a big Merry Christmas to the bank for their excellent coffee!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Beautiful evening on the lake.

I do love that view!

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[ishoot308]

Paugus bay was frozen completely in front of the old Burger King yesterday.

My view of the broads from my home in Gilford showed some skim ice forming in various locations out in the middle.

Water around My docks and breakwater on Welch were frozen also.

Dan

[upthesaukee]

Alton Bay has a skim of ice out to near, or perhaps beyond, Little Mark. I fear the upcoming warming trend may change that.

It still amazes me how such a large body of water, when it reaches a certain temperature, coupled with below freezing temperatures and little to no wind, will almost "flash freeze" in a relatively short period of time. Gotta love nature.

Dave

[Merrymeeting]

Merrymeeting was wide open on Friday. As soon as the winds died on Saturday, it flash froze and is pretty well locked in now.

[dickiej]

Unless I missed it, I didn't see exactly what constitutes official " ice in"....

[Mink Islander]

This morning.

[joey2665]

Unfortunately the forecast does not looking like ice making weather in the next week with temps in the mid to upper 30s and 45 tomorrow. Ugh.


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[stingray]

Does anyone know of a webcam for Meredith Bay?


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[fatlazyless]

Tuesday morning, Dec 24; Bear Cam, Echo Shores-West Alton Cam, and Pine Island Cam all showing big open water indicating the 10-mph winds and 20-mph gusts happening over the overnight time period have changed the water surface from hard ice to liquid water.

The Weirs Cam is showing a view from yesterday which still had ice.

[Kings Bluff]

The north end of Alton Bay has a skim of ice on it. See Winnipesaukeecam.com

[Mink Islander]

Skimmed over lightly overnight. Gonna be like this for another week until we get back to consistently cold temps.

[fatlazyless]

For boating in icy waters that may or may not have iced over in the last 12-24 hours, it seems that 14-16-18' aluminum v-hull boats boats have a keel that works better cutting through the ice than a smooth fiberglass hull.

If Alumacraft wanted to design an ice breaker keel, some type of ice breaker edge, running the boat's length, that could be a good feature for an island utility boat.

Thing is, it is basically impossible to say what is the ice thickness by looking at it, and you just go for it at a slow speed and hope for the best.

..... helloooooo Marine Patrol, I'm over here at so & so on the lake, and I have a wee bit of an ice problem?

[Grady223]

The Club Cam shows ice in Wolfeboro Bay out to Barndoor Island. Checking the other cams I notice many are out of date. I also note that the state water temps are out of service.

[Kings Bluff]

Alton Bay iced-in all the way out to Little Mark. See www.winnipesaukeecam.com

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Grady223

I also note that the state water temps are out of service.

The state water temps from Weirs Beach are working:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/rti_data/WEIN3_TABLE.HTML

[webmaster]

Overnight the ice on Paugus Bay has been covered with snow (from the Anchor Marine CAM):

[Meredith AK]

2 very brave (foolish) souls were ice skating in Center Harbor bay yesterday.
Iced in edge to edge.

[trashman]

Is Meredith bay iced over yet? Getting nervous (as I always do) about it being ready for Pond Hockey weekend at the end of January! And it looks like it'll be 8 days from now till some real cold moves in.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by trashman

Is Meredith bay iced over yet? Getting nervous (as I always do) about it being ready for Pond Hockey weekend at the end of January! And it looks like it'll be 8 days from now till some real cold moves in.

Meredith Bay has a sloppy look'n, gray slushy ice from Lagos out to the beginning of the no wake zone, about a half mile out, and then it's open water all down the bay to the Weirs.

A 12' aluminum row boat with just the two oars could probably slide through this slushy ice?

[Dhuberty24]

Any info on 19 mile bay?

[SAB1]

My son walked out on 19 mile today said it was 5-6 inches

[Mink Islander]

Temps look like they’ll be dropping next week so the areas beyond the bays and coves should start to lock up. This morning, the waters to the north of Mink island has some bits of skim ice, but still mostly open after a breezy day yesterday. Things were pretty much the same this time last year.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Temps look like they’ll be dropping next week so the areas beyond the bays and coves should start to lock up. This morning, the waters to the north of Mink island has some bits of skim ice, but still mostly open after a breezy day yesterday. Things were pretty much the same this time last year.

A nice picture of the ice situation, but a great picture of Mt. Washington, rising like a white diamond above the other mountains.

Thanks for posting.

Dave

[ishoot308]

Here's a 30 second video taken today from the West side of Welch...

https://video.nest.com/clip/f0a61cdb...67e97db46a.mp4

Dan

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Here's a 30 second video taken today from the West side of Welch...

https://video.nest.com/clip/f0a61cdb...67e97db46a.mp4
Dan

Thanks. Is this a fixed view, or can the camera be moved or zoomed remotely?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

Thanks. Is this a fixed view, or can the camera be moved or zoomed remotely?

You cannot move it but you can zoom, the more you zoom the less clear the picture is.

[Wifi-1]

Looks like IG has power back to her cam

[Mink Islander]

North side of Mink Island locked up overnight.

[Barney Bear]

Very nice view. When enlarged, the Adirondack lean-tos at the Outpost, and snow-covered Indian Head Rock are visible at the southern end of Camp Lawrence. 🐻

[Mink Islander]

That’s right. My wife’s family has a place on Bear Island, also with views of Mount Washington and a more distant view of Camp Nokomis!

The area out in front of the Indian Head Rock is a popular ice fishing spot.

A bald eagle was also flying around out in front of Mink today. Last winter several were congregating on the southern tip of Bear. Becoming a common sight, thankfully.

Fingers crossed that after the coming warm up that we’ll get back to sustained cold for ice making!

[dickiej]

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by dickiej

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

I believe it’s a “fly over” by the aviation guy that declares both ice in and out.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by dickiej

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

It is Emerson Aviation that surveys the lake and confirms the Mount Washington cannot safely navigate to any of its ports.


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[webmaster]

Originally Posted by dickiej

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

There hasn't been an official ice-in in past years. Last year Emerson Aviation did declare ice-in but that's the first time I recall them doing that.

Declaring ice-in is kind of tricky. Areas could skim over which would block the Mount but then strong winds could break it up the next day. That happened last week when the area off of Weirs Beach skimmed over, blocking the Mount, then cleared the next day in strong winds. That wouldn't normally happen with ice-out. Once the lake clears enough for the Mount to reach all it's ports it is very unlikely that the lake would freeze over again.

Another thing that makes ice-in different is that for ice-out the Mount must be able to reach ALL its ports. For ice-in only one of its ports would need to be blocked.

If Emerson Aviation does declare ice-in this year it will be posted here:

https://www.facebook.com/Emerson-Avi...31847876851023

[Mink Islander]

North side of Mink held up despite the wind last night, which is good. Need to get past the coming warm snap and hope for more cold weather to get us to safe ice!

[ishoot308]

West side of Welch as of a few minutes ago...

https://video.nest.com/clip/1ae642f6...74474b1eb8.mp4

Looks like the wind took out what little ice had formed. With this weeks temps into the 50's not looking too promising...

Dan

[Micker]

Meredith bay this morning


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[ishoot308]

I actually saw a small boat (18-20 feet) blasting through the skim ice across the broads today! Based on the tracks left in the ice, the boat seemed to come from Belknap point and went straight across to the south side of Welch and kept going at about 20 mph!

I had 10 very experienced Winni fishermen and guides at my home today for a luncheon and we watched this boat in disbelief...none of us could believe what we were seeing!

I hope this person made it back OK!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

Over at the Belknap Point Motel breakwater dock, there's been tied up, an old, all steel, construction barge tender boat that gets towed along behind a large barge so maybe it was getting out to the job site, somewhere or something. Could have a 150-hp Honda on about a 20' steel v-hull with an all-weather type home-made cabin enclosure.

Winter waterfront construction projects using a barge is like the Winni equivalent to mining for gold under the Barrow Sea, or something ....... no work = no pay. They ain't going fishing.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Over at the Belknap Point Motel breakwater dock, there's been tied up, an old, all steel, construction barge tender boat that gets towed along behind a large barge so maybe it was getting out to the job site, somewhere or something. Could have a 150-hp Honda on about a 20' steel v-hull with an all-weather type home-made cabin enclosure.

Winter waterfront construction projects using a barge is like the Winni equivalent to mining for gold under the Barrow Sea, or something ....... no work = no pay. They ain't going fishing.

That’s the boat we saw cutting through the ice yesterday!

[ishoot308]

From my vantage point in Gilford, the entire lake including the broads and the “hot tub” area, are completely locked in with ice! Last nights calm and cold did the trick!

Dan

[stingray]

Thanks for the shots of Meredith.


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[joey2665]

Thanks Dan great news for the PHC and Derby


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[Mink Islander]

That the wind won’t bust things up again. Looking good from Mink Island.

[webmaster]

Emerson Aviation has declared Ice-In:

https://www.facebook.com/Emerson-Avi...31847876851023

[thinkxingu]

Wow, that was fast! From open after to ice-in in just a couple days.

Originally Posted by webmaster

Emerson Aviation has declared Ice-In:

https://www.facebook.com/Emerson-Avi...31847876851023

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[phoenix]

In two weeks we will start the ice out contest

[Slickcraft]

No open water was in view from Belknap Point this morning.

I think that the prior days of cold with brisk wind did a good job of drawing heat out of the water. And then a bit of calm and "snap".

[Blue Thunder]

And the view from space today makes confirmation easy...
The Sebago hot tub is obviously still in the “ON” position....

[fatlazyless]

While the frozen lake is not an ice rink surface that gets redone every 30-minutes with a Zamboni, the natural ice surface is looking very hard and very, very smooth what with the last warm-up and rain that left the ice surface a shiny smooth, smooth enough for sailing it in an ice sail boat.

[snowflake]

Did I miss it, has ice in been officially declared??? Was it declared on 1/19/2020? Thanks. Here in Boston I don't think we're having a real winter this year!

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by snowflake

Did I miss it, has ice in been officially declared??? Was it declared on 1/19/2020? Thanks. Here in Boston I don't think we're having a real winter this year!

More "unofficially" declared mostly because it does not mean the lake is "safe" but merely ice covered.

[Lakegeezer]

Someone obviously believed in ice-in today. He had an ice augur and apparently got away with it.

[Mink Islander]

Two guys on atvs were caught on my camera a short while ago headed over towards the Indian head rock on the east side of Bear Island (Camp Lawrence). I suspect it’s the same guys who fished there often last winter. I have no doubt there’s at least 4 inches in that general area, but.... it’s going to stay warm through the next week and rain so these already marginal conditions could deteriorate rapidly as we head into the derby weekend. I fear we are going to see a repeat of a couple years ago with the unfamiliar or the overly brazen making very bad decisions and paying for it with their lives. Hope I’m wrong.

[MAXUM]

Quite true, can tell you the ice conditions are sketchy and due caution is essential. Out on Bear Island for the weekend, walked out and was very careful to stick to good solid areas, where the ice is averaging between 6" - 10". That said there are a number of stress ridges and even from a distance did not look smart to approach in fact there is a area of open water on the south side of Pine right at the gap with Bear so stayed way clear of all that.

FYI getting on at Shep's is a no go. Not safe to get on near the docks where access is typically made.

Today there were a number of people out joyriding on quads out from 3 mile to 5 mile and everywhere in between. They are out of their minds. With warm weather returning this may be my only trip out this winter.

That said, beautiful day to be out on the island

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Two guys on atvs were caught on my camera a short while ago headed over towards the Indian head rock on the east side of Bear Island (Camp Lawrence). I suspect it’s the same guys who fished there often last winter. I have no doubt there’s at least 4 inches in that general area, but.... it’s going to stay warm through the next week and rain so these already marginal conditions could deteriorate rapidly as we head into the derby weekend. I fear we are going to see a repeat of a couple years ago with the unfamiliar or the overly brazen making very bad decisions and paying for it with their lives. Hope I’m wrong.

Well stated!

[NHgirl]

I have a feeling there might be an early ice-out. Don't quote me though. With temperatures above freezing. Anything could happen

[upthesaukee]

From the Alton PD FB page:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...32378813740945

Read and heed.

Dave

[fatlazyless]

Sunday, Feb 2, 2020: Crawford Pond in Bangor, Maine; two atv's fell through the ice and no one drowned, with one rescued hanging onto the ice by a local deputy sheriff.

Story in www.bangordailynews.com

For just five dollars, a home made noodle belt with a line threaded down the center hole, worn around your waist and under your coat, will probably keep you afloat. By wearing it under your coat, it cannot be seen that you is wearing a noodle belt. Once in the water, the waist noodle belt will probably rise up to be under your arms and arm pits, allowing for strong use of your arms and hands.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

From the Alton PD FB page:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...32378813740945

Read and heed.

Dave

Thanks for posting this Dave!

I too certainly hope everyone heeds this warning! I was on the ice for a little bit this past weekend and the conditions are not good at all! Whatever ice that is there is not good and very soft.

With this weeks mild temps and the upcoming derby this weekend, conditions are prime for accidents to happen. The only thing that will make it worse is if we get a snowfall over this unsafe ice which is what it's looking like this Friday!...

If your venturing on the ice please be aware and stay safe everyone!

Dan

[Andromeda321]

Originally Posted by NHgirl

I have a feeling there might be an early ice-out. Don't quote me though. With temperatures above freezing. Anything could happen

I might be weird but I saw the ice out guess page was up, looked up the 2016 ice out date that was the earliest ever, and chose one even before that. It's just impossible for me to believe at this rate that the ice will last until April.

[MAXUM]

Have a feeling emergency crews will be busy plucking people out of the water this weekend.

[tis]

OMG, do NOT laugh at FLL and his noodles. I just read that a noodle belt was used in a rescue Saturday!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by tis

OMG, do NOT laugh at FLL and his noodles. I just read that a noodle belt was used in a rescue Saturday!

I saw that in an article on Facebook. Rescue was in Warren Maine. Thought of FLL immediately.

[tis]

I thought of him immediately too, Janet.

[baastan]

Is there a thread where people report ice thickness / safety? If so could someone point it out to me please?

I am more concerned about the ability for snowmobile travel on the lake, in the harbors and bay areas. I'll assume the broads will just be deemed unsafe this year again.

Also this snow right before ice derby weekend is both good and bad, good for riding, but awful due to how it played out a few years ago.

Thoughts and help are always appreciated.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by baastan

Is there a thread where people report ice thickness / safety? If so could someone point it out to me please?

I am more concerned about the ability for snowmobile travel on the lake, in the harbors and bay areas. I'll assume the broads will just be deemed unsafe this year again.

Also this snow right before ice derby weekend is both good and bad, good for riding, but awful due to how it played out a few years ago.

Thoughts and help are always appreciated.

Unfortunately no one is going to give you that information this year. Check the ice thickness yourself before you head out. Nothing is considered safe unless it’s self checked. Believe no one but yourself!!

Dan

[Biggd]

Better to be safe than sorry. I would stay off the big lake if I were you.

[jeffk]

https://www.wmur.com/article/ice-in-...-2020/30595457

Of course that just means all the Mount's ports are frozen in, not that the whole lake is frozen.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by jeffk

https://www.wmur.com/article/ice-in-...-2020/30595457

Of course that just means all the Mount's ports are frozen in,not that the whole lake is frozen.

The mounts ports have nothing to do with “ice in” and WMUR is wrong as usual! Ice in is declared when the entire lake has frozen over which it has. Emerson aviation makes the declaration.

The mounts port are only relevant to ice out...

Dan

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

The mounts ports have nothing to do with “ice in” and WMUR is wrong as usual! Ice in is declared when the entire lake has frozen over which it has. Emerson aviation makes the declaration.

The mounts port are only relevant to ice out...

Dan

Correct. In a prior year open water at the "alien crash site" south west of Welch delayed ice in call even though the mounts ports had been iced in for quite a while.

Alan

[Mink Islander]

Anyone been cutting any holes near Shep’s or Cattle Landing? Any snow on the ice or is it all blown off/frozen slush? We’ve had some good ice making nights since everything skimmed over Friday night.

[Hillcountry]

Bunch of guys with snowblowers all over the ice in Meredith today...hockey rinks?
Also a couple of Kubota tractors over closer to Lago humming around the ice...

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Bunch of guys with snowblowers all over the ice in Meredith today...hockey rinks?
Also a couple of Kubota tractors over closer to Lago humming around the ice...

Yes they are preparing the rinks for the PHC

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

The mounts ports have nothing to do with “ice in” and WMUR is wrong as usual! Ice in is declared when the entire lake has frozen over which it has. Emerson aviation makes the declaration.

The mounts port are only relevant to ice out...

Dan

Somewhat late for posting this, but knew I had seen this opposing information- just couldn't remember where it was.

Read post #62 of this thread (pg.1)- Clarification?

Both points of view are new to me. I've always thought it was all ports, in and out.

[Geneva Point]

Listen to the WMUR video at post 107. It distinctly says ice in is when the entire lake is frozen. Ishoot was wrong in calling out WMUR. The video implies also that Emerson defines ice in as when whole lake is frozen. Maybe Dave at Emerson or webmaster will chime in and clarify for us.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Geneva Point

Listen to the WMUR video at post 107. It distinctly says ice in is when the entire lake is frozen. Ishoot was wrong in calling out WMUR. The video implies also that Emerson defines ice in as when whole lake is frozen. Maybe Dave at Emerson or webmaster will chime in and clarify for us.

The video has been edited as it said previously that ice in was when all the mounts ports were frozen which is incorrect....

Dan

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Geneva Point

Listen to the WMUR video at post 107. It distinctly says ice in is when the entire lake is frozen. Ishoot was wrong in calling out WMUR. The video implies also that Emerson defines ice in as when whole lake is frozen. Maybe Dave at Emerson or webmaster will chime in and clarify for us.

I've been following and posting Ice-Out for about 25 years. Until last year when EA posted it I had never heard of an "official" Ice-In. What makes Ice-In or Out official anyway? It seems to be because traditionally Emerson Aviation decides if the ice is out and we all accept their call as "official". It's all based on tradition. Since we accept Emerson's Ice-Out call it seems that we have now also collectively decided that Emerson's call of Ice-In will also be official. Correct me if I'm wrong but there is no "official" document or law that defines what Ice-Out or Ice-In is. It's all made up. For fun!! WMUR does not get to define the official meaning of Ice-In. Emerson Aviation sets the standard and we have all silently agreed to accept it.

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by webmaster

I've been following and posting Ice-Out for about 25 years. Until last year when EA posted it I had never heard of an "official" Ice-In. What makes Ice-In or Out official anyway? It seems to be because traditionally Emerson Aviation decides if the ice is out and we all accept their call as "official". It's all based on tradition. Since we accept Emerson's Ice-Out call it seems that we have now also collectively decided that Emerson's call of Ice-In will also be official. Correct me if I'm wrong but there is no "official" document or law that defines what Ice-Out or Ice-In is. It's all made up. For fun!! WMUR does not get to define the official meaning of Ice-In. Emerson Aviation sets the standard and we have all silently agreed to accept it.

I agree with this, but still, we all are familiar with "the ports thing"- where does THIS come into play? It must have started somewhere/sometime!