Official 2013-14 Ice-In Thread

[mikea]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Please don't hijack the ice-in thread!

My apologies!

[ishoot308]

Looks pretty well locked up on the West side of Welch. Since this is one of, if not the last area to freeze, I can't imagine ice in not being declared sometime tomorrow.

Heading to the Turks and Caicos islands tomorrow for a week to do a little bone fishing and soak in some sunshine and umbrella drinks. When I get back, I will be putting the bob house out and doing a little ice fishing... with a sunburn!

Looks like the start of a great winter on the big lake!!

Dan

[FLAG!]

That sounds like a hell of a couple of weeks ishoot308! Enjoy!

[Island Girl]

Hopefully the open water off Rattlesnake will freeze over as the winds die down tonight and tomorrow. I just want to make sure people know the lake is not completely frozen.

IG

[Webbsatwinni]

The ice line is progressing. We drove by the lake yesterday afternoon on our way home from snowmobiling and there was still a large open area of water. By the cam it looks like last nights cold helped.

[Webbsatwinni]

Yesterday afternoon, you can see the water line in the distance.

[Island Girl]

It would be nice if someone took a nice ride and took some pics. Does anyone have any open water to report?

Also looking for reports of the lake groaning.

IG

[Just Sold]

Smith Cove today, looking across to Welch Island from Lincoln Park in Gilford and Alton Bay today. BTW they have started marking for the Airport Runway in Alton Bay

[BoulderBronco]

My brother was out in Meredith bay today with the snowmobiles and fishing gear. He drilled a number of holes throughout the middle of the bay (about half way between Weirs and the town docks) and had 6-7" of ice at each hole. Great snowmobiling conditions according to him. He didn't travel very far due to the safety factor. But I'm sure down by the docks there is a good deal more ice.

[MAXUM]

Took a walk out to my place this morning from sheps... yes this time the camera came with... I also put three holes in the ice one at about 20 foot off shore, then about 100 then about 500. All were showing 4-5" not enough for me to feel comfortable enough to take the sleds, so walking it was.....

[MAXUM]

Ah finally hit the western shore of BI, that steam is coming off a little open water around the dock, ice eater hard at work. It was a mere -5 but of all the pics I took today this one is the money shot. Guess these the iphone is good for something, taking pictures!


We had a tree - a mature one at that get snapped, I guess the winds there got pretty bad. Oh well next time I head out there will bring the chain saw.

There were quite a few that got uprooted too. Pretty amazing. Snow was pretty deep on the island. Close to 2 foot deep.

[MAXUM]

After that took the sleds out for a ride up the castle trail and out into ossipee and Madison. Trails were in pretty good shape, but the best of course is the view from atop Mt Shaw....

Was a real pretty day out today albeit was cold. Still rather be out there enjoying it than sitting inside all day!

[MAXUM]

Oh and one more thing, the parking lot at Sheps was NOT plowed, could be that it will be later but is not as of today

[MAXUM]

Well I got to thinking, ya know leave it to me to screw up taking pictures... everyone can probably use a little laugh at my expense, and I'm still not sure how I did this, but my fingers were really cold and I'm trying to take a picture and what do you know the darn thing takes a picture of me instead. I'm still not sure how I did it - guess one of these days I should read the directions on how to use that stupid thing! Never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer

[mikea]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Well I got to thinking, ya know leave it to me to screw up taking pictures... everyone can probably use a little laugh at my expense, and I'm still not sure how I did this, but my fingers were really cold and I'm trying to take a picture and what do you know the darn thing takes a picture of me instead. I'm still not sure how I did it - guess one of these days I should read the directions on how to use that stupid thing! Never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer

Thanks for all the superb pictures (with possibly one exception ) and information... really appreciated as was remembering to take the image capture device!

[JB Long Island]

Also cut holes yesterday, honest 6in of ice off Wildwood beautiful sunset.
Maxum- I believe my son and I were the two guys at the top of Mt Shaw alongside you yesterday - small world.

[BKIceFish]

I'm BoulderBronco's brother and just registered here. Enjoy reading everyone's thoughts. I was able to easily get out onto Meredith Bay (about halfway from Eagle Island to the Town Docks kinda by Sachem Cove) with my snowmobile and Auger. Consistent 6-7" of ice everywhere I checked although admittedly I did not venture out far. And yes i checked many depths of ice on foot before bringing the sled out. Had a great day on the ice. As did Mrs BK and our little one (for about 10 minutes). Never too young to get on the ice!

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by JB Long Island

Also cut holes yesterday, honest 6in of ice off Wildwood beautiful sunset.
Maxum- I believe my son and I were the two guys at the top of Mt Shaw alongside you yesterday - small world.

Awesome! I hope you had a good day riding we certainly did. Perfect weekend to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Well I got to thinking, ya know leave it to me to screw up taking pictures... everyone can probably use a little laugh at my expense, and I'm still not sure how I did this, but my fingers were really cold and I'm trying to take a picture and what do you know the darn thing takes a picture of me instead. I'm still not sure how I did it - guess one of these days I should read the directions on how to use that stupid thing! Never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer

Well Maxum, that picture would be considered a "selfie" which is the rage on Twitter these days....you are more progressive than you give yourself credit for.

BT

[Slickcraft]

Well just down the road from the point looking over the motel. The often last to freeze section between the point and Welch has a small area that has the appearance of open water. More likely it froze over last night in the calm cold air but at over 1/2 mile away it is hard to tell.

I suppose that I should have walked out to check, it just didn't occur to me at the time.

[Blue Thunder]

Here is an excellent view of where the ice situation stands looking from space.
Winnipesaukee in the center and Sebago Lake to the right.
BT

[pko57]

Does anyone know if the lake is frozen in the Barber Pole area? Specifically between Tuftonboro Neck and Little Birch Island/Cow Island, near Orchard Cove...We are visiting from Florida this weekend, staying up near Mt. Washington, and wondering if it's worth the trip down to the lake to try and hike over to our place on Cow Island..............if it's not frozen, we probably won't drive down. We have tried the last two years unsuccessfully, always in late January. Maybe we are coming too early? Thanks for any info!

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by pko57

Does anyone know if the lake is frozen in the Barber Pole area? Specifically between Tuftonboro Neck and Little Birch Island/Cow Island, near Orchard Cove...We are visiting from Florida this weekend, staying up near Mt. Washington, and wondering if it's worth the trip down to the lake to try and hike over to our place on Cow Island..............if it's not frozen, we probably won't drive down. We have tried the last two years unsuccessfully, always in late January. Maybe we are coming too early? Thanks for any info!

I'd be shocked if that area weren't frozen solid but I haven't been there so I can't say for sure. Can someone please answer this question for our newest member?

[Descant]

On the radio (Jan. 31) there was talk about the Pond Hockey Tournament. They mentioned that there was a foot of ice in Meredith Bay, but cautioned that ice was thin elsewhere and that there was open water off Welch Island. Looks like hundreds of people out for the tournament at any given time.

Where are there daily overhead pictures? If you snowmobile out to the islands, how can you tell what is safe?

[BoulderBronco]

Originally Posted by Descant

If you snowmobile out to the islands, how can you tell what is safe?

Experience and common sense. Common sense is a given. But knowing the lake and how it works is just as important. With that said it seems most of the lake is solid and safe, with the exception of by Welch/Diamond. But always use caution!