Ice-Out 2009

[bab1234]

Thanks on the view and pictures, I do have a million dollar view. to bad I had to raise the foundation a bit to get a little better view.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

DRH,

Your chronological pictures today are really cool!!

Blue Thunder

Thanks, BT - Glad you are enjoying them. It's really fascinating to watch the changes take place right in front of us.

[bab1234]

Thanks on the comments, thought I'd post a picture of the house, raised the foundation a bit to open up the view. Million dollar view, has all the comforts one could need.

[Slickcraft]

Photos taken 12:30 today at Belknap Point, not a perfect stitch of the photos but you get the idea. No ice out to Welch except the wind blown white ice on shore.

There is windblown white ice visible to the south east heading for Wolfeboro Bay.

[bab1234]

Another of welch in the center you can see large ice flows moving, second is the backside of rattlesnake. Don't think I can post more during the week up before the sun get home after its gone.

I'd hookup one of them dar fancy picture taking things except we gots no internet up here on the mountain.

Enjoy..

[bab1234]

Man the wind's rippin opened the door almost tore poor old toto the dog outta the trailer.

This was all covered with ice @ 6:30am.

[KTO]

To everyone on the southern part of the lake...Thank you for sending us your ice in Meredith/Center Harbor... :P

I took a few pictures yesterday of the ice at the Meredith/Center Harbor line looking out.


(Not visible, but Center Harbor would be on the left and Black Cat Island would be on the right of the frame)


(Not visible, but Patrician Shores/Sands of Brookhurst would be on the right)



ICE OUT...PLEASE!

[chaseisland]

Should be in a boat next weekend.

[Lakesrider]

Well, I was going to post pics of 19 mile bay, but ya beat me to it. so here is Wolfeboro. It was clear in the docks yesterday but ice has blown in a bit.




19 mile just for the heck of it.....

[bab1234]

Pictures welch island in the middle over looking the broads then looking over dimond. WON"T BE LONG, get your boats ready.

[Pineedles]

This is exciting. I don't remember an Ice-Out with so many pictures from the non-traditional cams being contributed. Hope it is really happening, and it won't re-freeze.

[bab1234]

Outside temp is 44 lake temp @ 38 looks like we'll be boating next weekend.

[bab1234]

I should have 2 cams online one looking twards gunstock, the other over the broads very high vantage point. According to the gps 945 ft above the lake, OH add another 50 feet since I raised the house..

[Island Girl]

It has been a great ice-out watch with all the contributions... several new webcams this year, DRH's daily and today hourly pictures and commentary, and all the others ... it has been an exciting day!

I will get the usual funny looks when someone asks me what I did this weekend and the answer is, "I watched the ice melt".

Only you people know that it is not insane... it is what we do!!! How nice to be boating early this year... woo hoo!!!!!!

Thanks again to all you cam operators and picture takers!

IG

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

It has been a great ice-out watch with all the contributions... several new webcams this year, DRH's daily and today hourly pictures and commentary, and all the others ... it has been an exciting day!

I will get the usual funny looks when someone asks me what I did this weekend and the answer is, "I watched the ice melt".

Only you people know that it is not insane... it is what we do!!! How nice to be boating early this year... woo hoo!!!!!!

Thanks again to all you cam operators and picture takers!

IG

You took the words right out of my mouth! What a fun weekend for ice-out watchers!

[Island Girl]

How will we ever get any work done this week with all the ice melting we have to watch?

IG

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Here is a shot of The Broads From Roberts Cove today around 2:30pm.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Alton Bay was open from the bridge to the bandstand. There were several small boats out fishing.
This shot was taken from Route 11D today at about 2:50

[Bear Island South]

Thanks for all the great pics today, I pulled the boat out of storage today and gave a tune up and got her running, we are planning on heading up Friday to open up.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Woodman's Cove was pretty much open.
Minge Cove and Glidden Cove around 3:00 pm today.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Open water from Ames Farm over to Rattlesnake Island. You can see the ice just past Diamond. The ice is very dark ice from the scenic view on Route 11 in Alton.
After all the ice and snow this winter, an early boating season is just the ticket.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thank you very much Island Girl for the wonderful Ice-Out page that we all visit like junkies at this time of the year.
DRH, your progressive pictures with the West Alton Digi-cam are terrific!
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to share their great pictures from around the lake for Ice-Out 2009!
Looking forward to seeing everyone very soon on the lake!
RG

[Island Girl]

Thanks for the pics, RG. This is the first year in a while I am not on the island for ice out... so I live for all the pictures. See you out there!

IG

[Mee-n-Mac]

Some more words and pics to complement RGs and others. Sitting on the dock today you could see and hear the wind beat up the ice in Alton Bay. Unforetunately it (the ice) was running from Sandy Pt and towards our dock. We did OK but some neighbors lost a loose post or two. But first some pics from the Rt11 scenic overlook taken around 5:30 PM.

Looking out towards Barndoor ...
Looking down the bay ...
And Little Mark I ....

[Mee-n-Mac]

So looking across to Sandy Pt this was the scene. The looking down the bay towards the gazebo, you could see the ice closing up open water. Then Mee spotted this guy who crawled up on the ice to sun himself.

[Mee-n-Mac]

As others noted there was abundant open water off Ames Farm. Interestingly the Weirs was still pretty much iced in. Meredith Bay was the same way, mostly ice except along the shore and at the tip. Here's the open water with the ice just poking in on the right. Then looking up the bay with Church Landing on the right.

[Kings Bluff]

Ice out at the northern end of Alton Bay

www.winnipesaukeecam.com

[19MileBaylover]

Thanks to all for posting the pictures; it's fabulous being miles and miles away that we get these incredible up-to-dates. Keep 'em coming.
Lakesridegr and ChaseIsland, thanks again.

[rrr]

Thank you all for the great pictures! IG's right - it will be very hard to get any work done this week!

[j0hnb]

Watch the last 10 frames animated at:
http://winnipesaukeecam.com/DynamicVideo2.php

I'll try to post a video later today.

I can't wait till I can make it up there this summer.

[nj2nh]

Oh, I love this!!!!!!!!!! This view is only just down the bay from my view. I loved the longer video last year. Are you going to do it again?

nj2nh
(on Echo Point in August)

[nj2nh]

Hey, Meet N Mac, I think I can see our house in the second picture looking down Alton Bay. Is that Echo Point in the background? Keep those pictures coming!

nj2nh
(sadly forced to enjoy the ice out from Jersey)

[EricP]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

It has been a great ice-out watch with all the contributions... several new webcams this year, DRH's daily and today hourly pictures and commentary, and all the others ... it has been an exciting day!

I will get the usual funny looks when someone asks me what I did this weekend and the answer is, "I watched the ice melt".

Only you people know that it is not insane... it is what we do!!! How nice to be boating early this year... woo hoo!!!!!!

Thanks again to all you cam operators and picture takers!

IG

Beats watching paint dry! LOL

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Thanks for the pics, RG. This is the first year in a while I am not on the island for ice out... so I live for all the pictures. See you out there!

IG

Wow, that was fast. The ice is gone on the Snakes Eyes camera. I just looked at it an hour ago!!

BT

[JMR]

Absolutely amazing transformation. Looking forward to the video! Very hard to work. Boats in soon?

[meredith weekender]

Its time to turn up the temp of the lake heater. Ice out is taking too long and I want to go for a boat ride.

[Merrymeeting]

It's going to be interesting for a few days now. If we were going to have a warm, strong-sunny day, I think it would be over in hours. But the forecast now shows nights well below freezing for the next week or so. If ice-out doesn't happen in the next few days, we could be in a holding pattern for awhile. I know the water temps will continue to cause the ice to melt. But I also expect we'll see the top skimming over on several mornings.

[hazelnut]

It's getting more and more difficult to even find the cams that still show ice!

I'm thinking that the ice will be out by Sunday?

That blows my original guess of the 27th and subsequent admissions that the 20th was more likely the date. I think I was way off!

[webmaster]

Today's Citizen Article

[KTO]

Unfortunately, Ice Out is also Ice Drift season...RIP dock

[eillac@dow]

This is my first season of watching ice-out with you all. And let me tell you.....I know what you mean when you say it is addicting. It is amazing. If work ever finds out how much time I am spending on line....they will fire me and rightly so!

To all that contribute your comments, pics and cams....thank you very much. They are all great. I really do enjoy them.

Can I ask....are there any web cams by Long Island? Our place is on Dow Island which is directly across from the Long Island Bridge. If there is a cam available in that area or does anyone has any pics, I would love to see them. Anything available by Harilla Landing?

Again, thanks for letting me enjoy this years ice-out with you all. Much appreciated!

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by eillac@dow

This is my first season of watching ice-out with you all. And let me tell you.....I know what you mean when you say it is addicting. It is amazing. If work ever finds out how much time I am spending on line....they will fire me and rightly so!

To all that contribute your comments, pics and cams....thank you very much. They are all great. I really do enjoy them.

Can I ask....are there any web cams by Long Island? Our place is on Dow Island which is directly across from the Long Island Bridge. If there is a cam available in that area or does anyone has any pics, I would love to see them. Anything available by Harilla Landing?

Again, thanks for letting me enjoy this years ice-out with you all. Much appreciated!

Not to start the puns, but I would be in the same boat as you!

[webmaster]

Today's Citizen Article

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

As others noted there was abundant open water off Ames Farm. Interestingly the Weirs was still pretty much iced in. Meredith Bay was the same way, mostly ice except along the shore and at the tip. Here's the open water with the ice just poking in on the right. Then looking up the bay with Church Landing on the right.

If you can turn your eyes away from what's left of the ice sheet floating in Meredith Bay, it almost looks like a June afternoon. What beautiful blue sky and great sunshine! They are unwrapping The Breeze a week from this Friday and we'll be waxing Sat,Sun and Mon. I really miss it. I don't care if it's 50 degrees as long as the sun's out and the buffer still works. You won't be able to get the smile off of my face with a hammer and chisel!

The Breeze
Wav 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by AC2717

Not to start the puns, but I would be in the same boat as you!

Thought you'd float one by us, didn't 'cha?

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Can anyone report on the mouth of Alton Bay and the south end of Rattlesnake Island? Brookwoods FrontLawn Cam in Chestnut Cove isn’t the clearest view.
DRH’s Echo Shores Ice-Out Watch doesn’t appear to be showing ice to the end of the island any more.
We have arranged to have the boat ready for Saturday and now I'm sweating it.
Thanks!
RG

[Jonas Pilot]

as of yesterday morning at 10:00 or so. From what I could see driving by on Rte. 11. It looked to be about a half miles worth of ice around at Sandy Point.

[Whimsey]

RG, the south side of Rattlesnake facing the Woodlands/West Alton looks clear from my vantage at Rum Point. There seems to be some ice on the Wolfeboro side, stretching down towards Wolfeboro. Yesterday there still was a fair amount of ice from the mouth of the Alton Bay down to near Sandy Point. But it was very dark and just about ready to go. If I get down there later today, I'll post an update.

[Gatto Nero]

Looks like its still pretty socked in between Black Cat and 3 Mile

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by KTO

Unfortunately, Ice Out is also Ice Drift season...RIP dock

Hey, I think that used to me my dock!

[Grant]

Think that's a current image? Ice looks much lighter and far more intact than any other area. Could that be a week-old shot?

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by Grant

Think that's a current image? Ice looks much lighter and far more intact than any other area. Could that be a week-old shot?

It's current. It's my cam and I'm looking at the live shot as I write this. It takes a new shot every minute. I just changed the angle to look towards the Beaver Islands. They are socked in too.

[JMR]

No pictures from the pilot, yet this year? Looking forward to some aerials.

Island Girl, where is your camera/camp located on the broad side of Rattlesnake?

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

It's current. It's my cam and I'm looking at the live shot as I write this. It takes a new shot every minute. I just changed the angle to look towards the Beaver Islands. They are socked in too.

Duh...I replied without looking at your username/avatar...and I knew you were the one who ran that cam.

Very interesting to see how intact the ice is there. Thanks for the alternate view.

[MikeF-NH]

This thread (and site) have been simply awesome for giving me updates to the ice out conditions on Winni. However, I am planning to head up on Sat and the webcams show me exactly where to go and not to go but one area I can't see is 19 mile bay...anyone have any updates for the ice out conditions on 19 mile bay, chases island, out to Cow Island (the Chases point side of Cow)?

[Pineedles]

Check post #108. Chaseisland posted a couple of pics dated 4/5, maybe you could PM them and ask for an update?

[MikeF-NH]

thanks Pineneedles....I saw that post but a lot changed in the last 4 days so I was hoping for an update. I could PM but I thought someone would post pics for everyone viewing the thread.

[Flyfisha]

Can I get from Minge Cove to the Sleeper side of Rattlesnake on Saturday?? I'm dying to open up and get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Webbsatwinni]

Originally Posted by Flyfisha

Can I get from Minge Cove to the Sleeper side of Rattlesnake on Saturday?? I'm dying to open up and get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do, can you report back? We are planning a trip from West Alton to Rattlesnake next Thursday and we are just curious about the "off cam" conditions.

Thanks to all that have provided views into the conditions, I can't get enough.

[Blue Thunder]

Over 16,000 views of the thread in just 24 days. It never ceases to amaze me...

BT

[MAXUM]

16,000 views the state has not yet figured out how to tax yet

[MikeF-NH]

I had a buddy drive from Alton up to 19 mile yesterday then back down to Alton and up to Mt Major overlook and here is what he reported:
-19 mile to Cow is locked up pretty good...probably another week
-Wolfboro wants to free up but the ice is just blowing back and forth...several more days
-there is ice piled up along most eastern shorelines which some floating/drifting ice in other "open areas"
-pretty much everything north of Sandy Point in Alton Bay out to Welches is open but I would be cautious of floating ice coming down from areas above Bear that will probably break off and come floating down in the coming days.

I would say your are very safe coming for Minge to Sleepers. I will be spending all morning in the area from Black Point all the way up to Welches tomorrow. Good luck

PS: Does Minge Cove has a public ramp? I'm guessing not...

[IslanderRS]

Made a trip out to rattlesnake yesterday via minge cove. No ice as far as I could see once outside of the small cove inside minge. Once we returned to minge a few hours later the ice was already gone. Here are a few pictures; one leaving minge, one returning and two from the south side of rattlesnake facing gunstock (which had some snow still!!)

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Over 16,000 views of the thread in just 24 days. It never ceases to amaze me...

Just a reminder that it really should say "Viewers". The forum software only counts each of you once even if you visit the thread many times.

For those of you who love stats I've just installed a new feature. Click "Quick Links" (must be logged in), go to the bottom of the list and click Site Statistics. Use the links to view all kinds of general info about the visitors to this site and how they got here. Click here (again, must be logged in) for the countries that have visited in the last week or so. Could all that be interest in Ice-Out? We're doing well in China!

[JMR]

Thanks to all who have posted pics and reports about the ice. Having only been on the lake for 2 years, I now have a springtime addition to following the progress of the Ice Out. Can't wait to get back to Rattlesnake next week when the boat goes in!

[IrishEyes]

I'm going out on a limb here and declaring ice out will be today! If not today, by the end of the weekend. Yesterday I walked along the lake in Meredith and there was no ice as far as the eye could see. With the 60 degree weather today and high winds, whatever ice remains will be gone very soon.

[Rose]

Hey, who left without me?

[wifi]

Originally Posted by webmaster

.... for the countries that have visited in the last week or so..... We're doing well in China!

If you are seeing anything like I do, its all DOS out of Asia

[NHDOLFAN]

I have the same exact boat. I better go and make sure that mine is still at the marina

[jlongchamps]

We are really getting anxious... thanks so much for the updates!

[Lakegeezer]

Moultonborough Bay is clearning out nicely, but there are still big sheets of gray ice clogging the northern mouth of the bay and up the narrows towards Lees mills. The northern wind today has been pushing the ice sheets against the ice, but rocks and islands have slowed the movement. If the wind shifts, it will break up a bunch. I'm thinking another day or two before its totally clear.
6:45 update: The mouth and most of m'boro bay appear clear. Ice to the north still blocked, but much smaller volume. Dock in predicted for Sunday. Saturday is a Wildcat ski day.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Flyfisha

Can I get from Minge Cove to the Sleeper side of Rattlesnake on Saturday?? I'm dying to open up and get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Minge Cove is clear. From our vantage point on Echo Shores (just west of Minge Cove) it looks like the eastern end of the south side of Rattlesnake is clear. We can't see the western end of Rattlesnake, though.

[KTO]

I've been watching the Black Cat Weather Cam all day, and that ice has made significant progress since this morning. Actually, the past hour has taken a pretty large toll on the large chunk of ice. Hopefully by this evening, that camera will be clear of visible ice!

[wifi]

Moultonboro Bay is still blocked in the middle, around the Gansy Lane area. Last night, on my way to Wolfeboro for memorial services, 19 and 20 mile bays were still clogged with floating ice debris.

Still have to wait some, IMHO

[Flyfisha]

Thanks for all the replies about Minge and Rattlesnake. I'm headed for the island first thing in the morning!!!!!!!!!!

[Eagle's Nest]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the updates on the ice out progress everyone! It's great! We were considering heading out from Smith Cove to Bear Island and I see nothing posted on this area. Has anyone been out that way and can confirm clear water? What do you think?
Eagle's Nest

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Eagle's Nest

Hi All,
Thanks for all the updates on the ice out progress everyone! It's great! We were considering heading out from Smith Cove to Bear Island and I see nothing posted on this area. Has anyone been out that way and can confirm clear water? What do you think?
Eagle's Nest

we are on Bear Island tonight, came in fro Shep Brown's today at 11am, ice free from sheps to south side of Bear, still some ice from southern tip of bear over to Mink and Mark Isalnds, I would guess it will be gone by tomorrow.

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by IrishEyes

I'm going out on a limb here and declaring ice out will be today! If not today, by the end of the weekend. Yesterday I walked along the lake in Meredith and there was no ice as far as the eye could see. With the 60 degree weather today and high winds, whatever ice remains will be gone very soon.

ice still in Meredith Bay as of 6PM today, very black though, I would say its gone by tomorrow

[Eagle's Nest]

Thanks for the update on Bear Island. Have a great weekend!
EN

[Slickcraft]

We spent a comfortable night on Welch Island with the wood stove going. No damage to breakwater or main dock, seasonal dock is down and the flag has been raised.

We saw a few fishermen out early this morning and last evening a couple cruised by and waved. Other than that the lake was quiet.

We went slow out and back on the lookout for floating debris but saw none.

[Sully]

Would someone explain to me why ice out has yet to be called? I'm a newcomer to the lake. This will be my eighth season. Where is the Mount unable to pass?
From where I sit, the only ice I see is on the slopes of Gunstock!
Is Dave off today????

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by Sully

Would someone explain to me why ice out has yet to be called? I'm a newcomer to the lake. This will be my eighth season. Where is the Mount unable to pass?
From where I sit, the only ice I see is on the slopes of Gunstock!
Is Dave off today????

Perhaps things like this

[meredith weekender]

As of 3:00 p.m. this afternoon Meredith Bay still has ice. It is very black, lots of broken up sections. We need a good sunny day with some wind. Looks like it may be late Monday before the bay is open. You can travel the shoreline though to get to the Weirs.

[DeerHavenFlier]

The last of the ice has disappeared within the last hour southeast of the Long Island bridge, and the water is totally open from Long Island across to Moultonborough Neck.

[Merrymeeting]

There are a bunch of sailboats showing on the cams on Wolfeboro Bay right now. Looks like the Brewster sailing team is getting an early start!

[JMR]

Just returned from Rattlesnake Island went over from Goodhue & Hawkins. No ice in the Broads, no ice between Rattlesnake and Sleeper. I could see some ice had drifted/been blown toward the mouth of Alton Bay.

Also went to Rattlesanke Landing and no ice anywhere around. could see all the way to rattlesnake that no ice around.

Rattlesnake Landing dock has been put back into water and is usable.


Will try to figure out how to post the photos from the landing.

[JMR]

first attempt to upload todays photos

[Flyfisha]

Spent the day out on Rattlesnake--Ice came in from Alton around 3pm so headed to Minge Cove. Had a great day, opening up and cleaning around camp. Can't wait to spend the week of the 18th out there!!!! SALMON BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[meredith weekender]

As 0f 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning, Meredith Bay is almost 100% open. The wind last night really helped out.

[hazelnut]

WOW the wind is HOWLING on the lake. Check out the webcams.

Ice-Out today or tomorrow?

[EricP]

I believe it will go out today. When I woke up there was 2 large ice sheets in Hubbard Bay, a mere 1.5 hours later there is only one sheet left out by Pitchwood Island, otherwise the bay is clear. Sun is out and wind is helping. Maybe I need to fire up the SeaDoo today.

[Loony Singer]

Wind still coming from the north up there? For us at ice out time, north = dock probably OK; south = maybe not.

Thanks

[EricP]

Yes, wind seems to be out of the North, but there isn't much ice left to blow around anyway

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by Loony Singer

Wind still coming from the north up there? For us at ice out time, north = dock probably OK; south = maybe not.

Thanks

I'm not there but both Black Cat Cams indicate it is coming from the north.

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by EricP

I believe it will go out today. When I woke up there was 2 large ice sheets in Hubbard Bay, a mere 1.5 hours later there is only one sheet left out by Pitchwood Island, otherwise the bay is clear. Sun is out and wind is helping. Maybe I need to fire up the SeaDoo today.

I'm afraid that if you fired up the SeaDoo today you'd be an Ericicle before too long.

Hopefully I'll be opening camp next weekend, long term forecast calls for 60's at the end of next week. Perhaps you can fire it up then and visit.

[Whimsey]

The winds are fierce from the NNW. Lots of white caps. Yesterday afternoon's ice is gone, probably back to the mouth of Alton Bay.

[EricP]

Originally Posted by hazelnut

I'm afraid that if you fired up the SeaDoo today you'd be an Ericicle before too long.

Hopefully I'll be opening camp next weekend, long term forecast calls for 60's at the end of next week. Perhaps you can fire it up then and visit.

I have been known to do crazy things! Check the date....

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by EricP

I have been known to do crazy things! Check the date....

WOW!

I knew you had a screw or two loose.

That is Awesome. I think that is the same year I took the Whaler over to Cow Island in January. It was a late freeze that year. We had to chip about 1/4-1/2 of an inch of ice with an oar for about 100 yards to make it to shore.



So what are ya waiting for now? I'll be checking the Weirs Cam over the next few hours looking for ya! Watch out for ice bergs.

[Bobdon99]

Great job with the photos. It's nice to see the process of the melting of the ice.

[MikeF-NH]

Ice out should be declared in the next day or two. I was out all day yesterday. There was floating ice "floatillas" in the Broads and up to 5 mile island. Most floating ice was on eastern and southern shorelines first thing in the morning but the wind coming out of the south moved that ice "into play" as the day went on.

We felt very safe coming out of West Alton Marina with the protection of Ragged and Sleepers island. Even as we saw floating ice moving in from Ship island, we said "no way that effects our return trip". Well, sure enough that ice all went like a magnet to the mouth of the inlet for west alton marina. Fortunately both us and another crew in a bigger boat behind us, could SQUEEZE around the ice.

There were a few broken sheets of ice around 6 mile but the only organized ice we saw was on the Moultonboro side of The Hole in the Wall and the northeast side of Little Bear. We didn't even try navigating it but it looked solid enough that we think it will be there until late this week (even after ice out is declared).

Water temps varied from 36.3 around Rattlesnake to 39.4 behind more protected areas to the north. I'm pretty sure we could have made it to Black Cat but we were fishing and running out of time so we explored less.