Ice-In 2012-13

[Mink Islander]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

So I hoofed it out once again to Bear this time leaving from Cattle Landing. I however was not quite as adventurous as Mink Islander and after taking careful look at that ice just to the south of the dock I said nah I'll pass on that. Just looked a wee bit to punky for me.

As I said, there's plenty of ice if you head over towards Bear and then go behind Dolly Island (7-9 inches thoughout) - and I bring an ice auger to actually cut holes and check along the way. Not quite as adventuresome as you may think Maxum! It was helpful to have no snow on the ice last weekend so you really could see the quality of the ice as well.

I still would not advise passing directly through Cattle Landing proper for another week or so unless you're on a sled and moving along quickly (snow pending!). That area is always tricky and this winter's weird weather has accentuated that. Won't be surprised to see someone splashdown there if we get snow on Friday as predicted that will hide the risks there just before the Derby. I expect access at the Cattle Landng docks will be possible later this week.

Also, I swear by my Kahtoola micro-spikes. (REI, Backcountry.com, etc.) They are absolutely fanatastic on glare ice. Essentially a set of mini crampons. Very well designed, durable and very easy slip on/off as well. Way better than Yaktrax and similar IMO. A must have for current conditions.

[MAXUM]

[QUOTE=Mink Islander;198432]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

So I hoofed it out once again to Bear this time leaving from Cattle Landing. I however was not quite as adventurous as Mink Islander and after taking careful look at that ice just to the south of the dock I said nah I'll pass on that. Just looked a wee bit to punky for me.


As I said, there's plenty of ice if you head over towards Bear and then go behind Dolly Island (7-9 inches thoughout) - and I bring an ice auger to actually cut holes and check along the way. Not quite as adventuresome as you may think Maxum! It was helpful to have no snow on the ice last weekend so you really could see the quality of the ice as well.

I still would not advise passing directly through Cattle Landing proper for another week or so unless you're on a sled and moving along quickly (snow pending!). That area is always tricky and this winter's weird weather has accentuated that. Won't be surprised to see someone splashdown there if we get snow on Friday as predicted that will hide the risks there just before the Derby. I expect access at the Cattle Landng docks will be possible later this week.

Also, I swear by my Kahtoola micro-spikes. (REI, Backcountry.com, etc.) They are absolutely fanatastic on glare ice. Essentially a set of mini crampons. Very well designed, durable and very easy slip on/off as well. Way better than Yaktrax and similar IMO. A must have for current conditions.

I didn't have an auger with me and that ice right along the shore there was just to sketchy. Once out away from the dock yeah that looked good, but you're right on areas where there are narrow channels of lake between the islands and/or islands and shore. I love to go swimming, just not this time of year! Glad you made it out to your place safe, can't be to cautious.

I gotta get some of those spike things for my boots, dragging heavy stuff across glare ice with none is a whole lot of work! Just walking alone is bad enough, especially when you get a little snow on the bottom of your soles!

[CampChaos]

As of Sunday Cattle Landing is merely "skimmed" with ice and the landing in back of Shep Browns has taken but only about an inch of ice. Went from Levitt Beach through the inside of Pine and main land. The channel was about 6 inches. A reef has formed between Bear and Pine around the no wake zone.. Spoke with some fellow ice fisherman and said they ran into Fish & Game where they had been patrolling around bear, including the area between Cattle and Bear....safe enough for those guys safe enough for me.

Am going to launch my bob house this Thursday, will try Shep Browns first if not will make the voyage from Levitt Beach to Bear. Will post if I am able to get on at Shep's.

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Also, I swear by my Kahtoola micro-spikes. (REI, Backcountry.com, etc.) They are absolutely fanatastic on glare ice. Essentially a set of mini crampons. Very well designed, durable and very easy slip on/off as well. Way better than Yaktrax and similar IMO. A must have for current conditions.

Agree on the Kahtoola Microspikes:
http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php

[Mink Islander]

From the North side of Mink Island. We had a visit by a local Bald Eagle Sunday morning who noticed I'd left a shiner on the ice after I pulled in my cusk lines on Sunday morning. Came swooping in to enjoy an easy snack.

pic are only iPhone quality so I couldn't get a decent shot of the eagle given the distance was a couple of yards.

[NYCtoLSP]

Does anyone know if the spots around Welch's, Ellacoya and LSP are still open water? It was hard to tell from Erika's cam, but it looked like it might have opened up again?

[Webbsatwinni]

Has anyone been around to the broads side of Rattlesnake, with the snow (fingers crossed) I would love to go over but based on reports, not sure if that is wise.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by NYCtoLSP

Does anyone know if the spots around Welch's, Ellacoya and LSP are still open water? It was hard to tell from Erika's cam, but it looked like it might have opened up again?

Yes it did! Excellent info here with aerial pictures from today still showing a large open water section in front of Welch Island!

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2013/...ty_020613.html

Dan

[NYCtoLSP]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yes it did! Excellent info here with aerial pictures from today still showing a large open water section in front of Welch Island!

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2013/...ty_020613.html

Dan

Thanks! I wish we had that view all of the time!

[Timma]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yes it did! Excellent info here with aerial pictures from today still showing a large open water section in front of Welch Island!

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2013/...ty_020613.html

Dan

Thanks for the (slightly depressing) info, Dan. That's certainly a much bigger patch of open water than I thought.

My friends and I hike from Glendale to the west side of Welch every year, but looks like we got hosed with no ice again this year. Brutal

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Timma

Thanks for the (slightly depressing) info, Dan. That's certainly a much bigger patch of open water than I thought.

My friends and I hike from Glendale to the East side of Welch every year, but looks like we got hosed with no ice again this year. Brutal

I am going to attempt a walking trip to Welch this weekend to reset my web cameras. There is safe ice (Please check for yourself) from the Gilford town Beach all the way out to the back / North side of Lockes island with 10+ inches as of last weekend. I am hoping the ice is safe enough beyond that to access the northern section of Welch. Of course I will be checking all the way... as soon as I see 6" I will be retreating quickly as my fat arse and thin ice don't go good together!

Be Safe!

Dan

[Greene's Basin Girl]

WMUR ( Channel 9 ) just showed a picture of open water near Welch Island. They wanted to warn ice fishermen of the danger since the derby is this weekend.

[NoBozo]

I have stressed that you should NOT venture out on the ice ALONE.

TWO People on a Snow machine IS ALONE. DON"T Do It...No matter how confident you feel about the ice. NB

[Island Girl]

Woo Hoo... We are back. It was the phone/ DSL.

I called FairPoint today and they send a signal to see if my phone was live, and it was. I was back to thinking the power was out.... I just looked and voila! Snake Eyes is back. I have no clue whether they recycled the DSL to the island or if a gremlin turned it back on.... But I am a happy camper

[Island Girl]

It looks like only one pic was sent.. Time to investigate further.

[NHgirl]

Does anybody know the conditions out on Ellacoya?

[winni for fun]

Any word on ice conditions heading from Harilla, and between Long Island and Cow Island?

[Winnisquamguy]

CONCORD, N.H. —The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is warning that some lakes and ponds that traditionally have been safe for ice fishing and other outdoor recreation are not safe this year.

Officials are advising people to use extreme caution and check the ice thickness for themselves before going onto any frozen body of water. Participants in this weekend's fishing derby have been warned to avoid shorelines and inlets where ice can be particularly dangerous.

The department says warm temperatures and high winds have affected ice formation, particularly on the state's bigger lakes.

Officials say aerial photographs show ice conditions on some parts of Lake Winnipesaukee are unsafe, including an area of open water near Welch Island.

Fish and Game Lt. James Goss says people are advised not to drive vehicles onto the ice because of the unpredictable conditions.



Read more: http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/Uns...#ixzz2KDc5DOtq

[Blue Thunder]

This is today's view from space....form your own opinion....
BT

[ishoot308]

From my deck this morning at 6:30 A.M. it appeared the open water had once again froze over. It was a little dark but still could see the lake fairly well.

Dan

[dpassmore25]

I don't live on the lake but I come up to snowmobile. I assume the crossing at Ambrose cove on trail 15 is safe? Any reason it wouldn't be?
Finally getting some real snow this weekend