Plowing the Lake

ApS · 02-24-2007, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Please do not plow roads across the lake...Anyone else want to weigh in on this???

I don't think "plowing" is the problem: my recollection (from the late Ralph Horn) is that roads have been plowed across Lake Winnipesaukee for 70 years—or more!

jrc · 02-28-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

I don't think "plowing" is the problem: my recollection (from the late Ralph Horn) is that roads have been plowed across Lake Winnipesaukee for 70 years—or more!

So your point is that we shouldn't ban something that's been done on the lake for many years just because it bothers some people and might cause a hazard?

secondcurve · 02-28-2007, 05:48 PM

JRC:

Are you really serious? We are speaking about Live Free or Die NH. Stop plowing? This makes no sense to me. The answer is to take personal responsibility and slow down, and stay off the lake when it isn't safe.

20mile · 02-28-2007, 08:56 PM

The plowed roads are no more dangerous than the pressure ridges.

It is especially treacherous when the wind is blowing snow 2-3 feet off of the ice. Obstacles are cloaked by the blowing snow and come upon you quick if you are moving too fast.

Stay safe

Cobalt · 03-01-2007, 07:36 AM

A few years ago I witnessed a snowmbiler get injured after running across an ice skating rink that was plowed 50 yards off shore. After running across the pile of snow along the edge, the machine went slightly sideways across the ice when it hit the other ridge of snow and flipped. The machine was not travelling at excessive speed, and the snow pile was not that high. As a result, the rink was not very visible from the snowbiler's perspective and contributed to the accident.

I believe it would be helpful that anytime something unnatural affects the lake, such as running a circulator around a dock, some type of warning should be visible. A branch or stick with reflective tape spaced along a plowed road on the ice or a skating rink may help prevent serious injuries in the future.

We are all in this together, and need to consider how our actions may impact others.

Rayhunt · 03-01-2007, 07:56 AM

I would never go as far as to enact a law against it, that's ridiculous.. Just hope some of the plowers read this thread and realize what they are doing.. An unmarked road out in the middle of a normally flat area is an unnecessary and DANGEROUS. We wait all year foe a couple weeks of flat frozen lake and its all plowed up the next day. In my cove I've got some yahoo that's plowed circles and random patterns all over the cove.. i think he was just having fun with his plow. Id really like to meet this guy and explain how very annoying this is to people

KBoater · 03-02-2007, 12:48 PM

The lake has been used for many activities from many,many years. How about the herds of live stock that were driven across the lake in olden times? Some of the island houses were owned by the mills at Lakeport and the herds were driven across the lake from the east shore. Island homes were shepherd’s and driver’s huts. Anyone have picture of these? It goes with the ice cutting, logging, hauling material, etc.
The “sport” of snowmobiling is a recent event.
There should be room for everyone out there. Use respect and caution.

Rayhunt · 03-02-2007, 02:42 PM

I did not know snowmobiling was a "sport" or "new". Ive been riding since 72 and can just never remember as many snow banks as I see this year. Seems like every bobhouse has its own road..lots of four wheelers now too .. Lets face it times and traditions change. Ive never left anyone a 6 foot high bank or an open frozen hole with my snowmobile. Just a wave and a puff of blue smoke

jrc · 03-01-2007, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

JRC:

Are you really serious? We are speaking about Live Free or Die NH. Stop plowing? This makes no sense to me. The answer is to take personal responsibility and slow down, and stay off the lake when it isn't safe.

Secondcurve, we agree 100% on this.

I was trying to compare APS position on plowing versus his position on fast boats. On plowing he dismisses Island Girls safety concerns, on the basis that the plowing tradition has been going on for years. On fast boats, he doesn't make the same deference to the Winnipesaukee tradition of fast boats. The picture is evidence of the tradition of fast boats.

Island Girl · 03-02-2007, 08:27 AM

I appreciate everyone's comments. My concern is the disregard that anyone group has for the rest... I therefore ammend my request... when plowing the lake it I agree with Lakegeezer's comment about making a break in the birm that is created everyonce in a while so others including cross country skiiers, walkers, snowmobiles, ATV's etc can get through.

My original comment was driven by two events... a plowed trail a couple of years ago to Rattlesnake that had a birm so high getting over it was treacherous at any speed and there were not breaks... the other was the very recent path plowed through Minge Cove; that the plower left a hugh pile of snow in the middle of the channel where there is a lot of traffic... it appeared that the pile was so heavy... and not that far from a circulator that a hole of slush and a mess was created...

So the ammended request is ... do unto others!!

Thanks all

(It's snowing!!!!)

IG

secondcurve · 03-02-2007, 08:48 AM

Island Girl:

The real question I have is how much longer will the lake be safe with a heavy wet snow falling. My simple rule thumb is to stay off the ice after March 15th. I realize that can be a bit conservative, but that is my approach. What is the latest you have visted your island home over the ice?

Island Girl · 03-02-2007, 09:05 AM

I will be able to get there through ice out with wonderful friends with an airboat... watching the ice melt... and ice out from the island is such an incredible experience...

Next weekend may be the end of snowmobiling this season for me..

We shall see.

sum-r breeze · 03-02-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I will be able to get there through ice out with wonderful friends with an airboat... watching the ice melt... and ice out from the island is such an incredible experience...

Next weekend may be the end of snowmobiling this season for me..

We shall see.

Oh my God I can't wait! It looks like Winter today, but it won't be long.

The Breeze
Wave Cause I'll be Wavin' Back

Major problem · 03-03-2007, 04:45 PM

Is it my imagination or did somebody just plow a road on the ice right up to Snake Eyes ?

Sunset Bob · 03-03-2007, 05:56 PM

Looks like IG has a nice ice skating rink.

Blue Thunder · 03-03-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset Bob

Looks like IG has a nice ice skating rink.

Boy, I certainly hope that's not a response to IG's original request of not plowing the Lake. If it is, that's WAY over the line!

Blue Thunder

Sunset Bob · 03-03-2007, 10:08 PM

I was just commenting that it looks like a pretty good skating rink.I agree that plowing there is over the top.

Blue Thunder · 03-04-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset Bob

I was just commenting that it looks like a pretty good skating rink.I agree that plowing there is over the top.

I didn't mean you SB, I meant that if someone intentionally plowed a road to IG's camera location just to make an "in your face" statement implying that her opinion of plowed roads on the lake is wrong, then I, for one, have a problem with that. Judging from the lack of responses so far, maybe I'm wrong.

BT

Resident 2B · 03-04-2007, 09:30 AM

BT,

You are 100% correct!

This was no accident. There is no need for plowing in that area. This appears to be an intended act meant to go "one up" on IG.

We are so lucky in this country to have so much personal freedom. However, in this case, someone's (the person who plowed) freedom of speech clearly has a negative impact on another person's freedom. Although the plowing may not be against the law, in this case it appears to be clearly wrong, in my opinion.

IG thanks for all you do to make this forum and the lake in general a great place to be. Please do not allow this insensitive act to change you one bit.

Best regards,

R2B

ITD · 03-04-2007, 10:13 AM

Captain Bonehead owns a plow............

Island Girl · 03-04-2007, 11:12 AM

I believe the plowing was done by my neighbor to take delivery of some items for his camp... He did that when he first built the house...

I could be wrong.. but know that he did it earlier in the week for that purpose... so probably did it again. I don't particularly like it... maybe he put some holes in the birms this time.

Now that my cover is completely blown... get out there and have your picture taken in front of Snake Eyes.. if you see someone out there, please copy the picture and send it to me... I will post them all as a slide show!!!!

Blue Thunder · 03-04-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Now that my cover is completely blown...

There are certain members (regulars) here that go out of their way not to "blow peoples' cover" including me, (which is why I PM you and others) but I think it is just too coincidental to not be a statement of some kind. JMO.

Blue Thunder

webmaster · 03-11-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Now that my cover is completely blown... get out there and have your picture taken in front of Snake Eyes.. if you see someone out there, please copy the picture and send it to me... I will post them all as a slide show!!!!

Could this be the Babes on Sleds putting on a show for the WeirsCAM? I saw lots of snowmobile activity on the WeirsCAM today.

GWC... · 03-11-2007, 12:08 PM

Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Hope that is fog and not smoke.

Name: IslandCam_March112007.jpg
Views: 1991
Size: 23.7 KB

The Worm · 03-05-2007, 02:59 PM

It would seem that this news article validates "Island Girl's" concern. Maybe the snowmobiler should not have been going so fast that he could not avoid the accident and fly 100ft through the air, however there is an obvious danger with hitting snow drifts and plow birms on a snowmobile.

Marblehead man hurt in snowmobile crash

Salem News
March 5, 2007

TUFTONBORO, N.H. (AP) - A Massachusetts snowmobiler landed in the hospital after a crash early yesterday that sent him flying more than 100 feet through the air over frozen Lake Winnipesaukee.

Richard Drew, 26, of Marblehead, was speeding across the lake around 2:30 a.m., when he hit a snowdrift and launched himself into the air, said Fish and Game Officer Mark Hensel. Drew landed 100 feet away, injuring his hip and suffering possible internal injuries. Drew was alone on the snowmobile.

-Worm

tricia1218 · 03-05-2007, 03:25 PM

Seems a small detail was left out of the article, alcohol is suspected in the accident.

Gavia immer · 03-05-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Worm

Richard Drew, 26, of Marblehead, was speeding across the lake around 2:30 a.m., when he hit a snowdrift and launched himself into the air

Dern snowdrifts!!!!!

wildwoodfam · 03-05-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

So your point is that we shouldn't ban something that's been done on the lake for many years just because it bothers some people and might cause a hazard?

And your point would be to stop doing something that's been done for 70 years because it is an inconvenience to some who like to drive fast on the snow machines at night when visibility is low? C'mon.

The plowed roads are valuable travel ways for folks getting out to islands and doing work on the camps. Snowmobiling is a recreational sport, let's just keep things in perspective.

jrc · 03-05-2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

So your point is that.....

You may have missed my follow-up post. The first post was sarcasm, so I'm pretty sure we agree on this.

I won't go into again, because I really should have brought it up in a speed limit thread.

02-28-2007, 08:56 PM	#4
20mile Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 20 mile bay Posts: 87 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Just be careful The plowed roads are no more dangerous than the pressure ridges. It is especially treacherous when the wind is blowing snow 2-3 feet off of the ice. Obstacles are cloaked by the blowing snow and come upon you quick if you are moving too fast. Stay safe

03-01-2007, 07:36 AM	#5
Cobalt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 130 Thanks: 70 Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts	Plowing the Lake A few years ago I witnessed a snowmbiler get injured after running across an ice skating rink that was plowed 50 yards off shore. After running across the pile of snow along the edge, the machine went slightly sideways across the ice when it hit the other ridge of snow and flipped. The machine was not travelling at excessive speed, and the snow pile was not that high. As a result, the rink was not very visible from the snowbiler's perspective and contributed to the accident. I believe it would be helpful that anytime something unnatural affects the lake, such as running a circulator around a dock, some type of warning should be visible. A branch or stick with reflective tape spaced along a plowed road on the ice or a skating rink may help prevent serious injuries in the future. We are all in this together, and need to consider how our actions may impact others.

03-01-2007, 07:56 AM	#6
Rayhunt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gilford NH Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Plowing I would never go as far as to enact a law against it, that's ridiculous.. Just hope some of the plowers read this thread and realize what they are doing.. An unmarked road out in the middle of a normally flat area is an unnecessary and DANGEROUS. We wait all year foe a couple weeks of flat frozen lake and its all plowed up the next day. In my cove I've got some yahoo that's plowed circles and random patterns all over the cove.. i think he was just having fun with his plow. Id really like to meet this guy and explain how very annoying this is to people

03-02-2007, 12:48 PM	#7
KBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 521 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	Lake Uses The lake has been used for many activities from many,many years. How about the herds of live stock that were driven across the lake in olden times? Some of the island houses were owned by the mills at Lakeport and the herds were driven across the lake from the east shore. Island homes were shepherd’s and driver’s huts. Anyone have picture of these? It goes with the ice cutting, logging, hauling material, etc. The “sport” of snowmobiling is a recent event. There should be room for everyone out there. Use respect and caution. __________________ Home Permanently in NH

03-02-2007, 02:42 PM	#8
Rayhunt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gilford NH Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Plowing I did not know snowmobiling was a "sport" or "new". Ive been riding since 72 and can just never remember as many snow banks as I see this year. Seems like every bobhouse has its own road..lots of four wheelers now too .. Lets face it times and traditions change. Ive never left anyone a 6 foot high bank or an open frozen hole with my snowmobile. Just a wave and a puff of blue smoke

02-28-2007, 05:48 PM	#3
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,128 Thanks: 1,352 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	JRC: Are you really serious? We are speaking about Live Free or Die NH. Stop plowing? This makes no sense to me. The answer is to take personal responsibility and slow down, and stay off the lake when it isn't safe.

The Following User Says Thank You to secondcurve For This Useful Post:
ApS (03-29-2013)

03-02-2007, 08:27 AM	#10
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,356 Thanks: 18 Thanked 574 Times in 181 Posts	Ammended request I appreciate everyone's comments. My concern is the disregard that anyone group has for the rest... I therefore ammend my request... when plowing the lake it I agree with Lakegeezer's comment about making a break in the birm that is created everyonce in a while so others including cross country skiiers, walkers, snowmobiles, ATV's etc can get through. My original comment was driven by two events... a plowed trail a couple of years ago to Rattlesnake that had a birm so high getting over it was treacherous at any speed and there were not breaks... the other was the very recent path plowed through Minge Cove; that the plower left a hugh pile of snow in the middle of the channel where there is a lot of traffic... it appeared that the pile was so heavy... and not that far from a circulator that a hole of slush and a mess was created... So the ammended request is ... do unto others!! Thanks all (It's snowing!!!!) IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

03-02-2007, 08:48 AM	#11
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,128 Thanks: 1,352 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	Island Girl: The real question I have is how much longer will the lake be safe with a heavy wet snow falling. My simple rule thumb is to stay off the ice after March 15th. I realize that can be a bit conservative, but that is my approach. What is the latest you have visted your island home over the ice?

03-02-2007, 09:05 AM	#12
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,356 Thanks: 18 Thanked 574 Times in 181 Posts	Special Access I will be able to get there through ice out with wonderful friends with an airboat... watching the ice melt... and ice out from the island is such an incredible experience... Next weekend may be the end of snowmobiling this season for me.. We shall see. __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

03-03-2007, 04:45 PM	#14
Major problem Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brockton,Ma, N Conway & Guilford,NH Posts: 53 Thanks: 24 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Is it my imagination or did somebody just plow a road on the ice right up to Snake Eyes ?

03-03-2007, 05:56 PM	#15
Sunset Bob Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,701 Thanks: 115 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	Ice Skating Rink Looks like IG has a nice ice skating rink. Attached Images

03-03-2007, 10:08 PM	#17
Sunset Bob Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,701 Thanks: 115 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	Not me I was just commenting that it looks like a pretty good skating rink.I agree that plowing there is over the top.

03-04-2007, 09:30 AM	#19
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 996 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	Way over the top! BT, You are 100% correct! This was no accident. There is no need for plowing in that area. This appears to be an intended act meant to go "one up" on IG. We are so lucky in this country to have so much personal freedom. However, in this case, someone's (the person who plowed) freedom of speech clearly has a negative impact on another person's freedom. Although the plowing may not be against the law, in this case it appears to be clearly wrong, in my opinion. IG thanks for all you do to make this forum and the lake in general a great place to be. Please do not allow this insensitive act to change you one bit. Best regards, R2B Last edited by Resident 2B; 03-04-2007 at 11:48 AM.

03-04-2007, 10:13 AM	#20
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,941 Thanks: 481 Thanked 699 Times in 390 Posts	Captain Bonehead owns a plow............

03-04-2007, 11:12 AM	#21
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,356 Thanks: 18 Thanked 574 Times in 181 Posts	Not I believe the plowing was done by my neighbor to take delivery of some items for his camp... He did that when he first built the house... I could be wrong.. but know that he did it earlier in the week for that purpose... so probably did it again. I don't particularly like it... maybe he put some holes in the birms this time. Now that my cover is completely blown... get out there and have your picture taken in front of Snake Eyes.. if you see someone out there, please copy the picture and send it to me... I will post them all as a slide show!!!! __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

03-11-2007, 12:08 PM	#24
GWC... Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,325 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Where there's smoke, there's fire... Hope that is fog and not smoke. __________________ [Assume funny, clever sig is here. Laugh and reflect... ]

03-05-2007, 02:59 PM	#25
The Worm Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 41 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	This Just In... It would seem that this news article validates "Island Girl's" concern. Maybe the snowmobiler should not have been going so fast that he could not avoid the accident and fly 100ft through the air, however there is an obvious danger with hitting snow drifts and plow birms on a snowmobile. Marblehead man hurt in snowmobile crash Salem News March 5, 2007 TUFTONBORO, N.H. (AP) - A Massachusetts snowmobiler landed in the hospital after a crash early yesterday that sent him flying more than 100 feet through the air over frozen Lake Winnipesaukee. Richard Drew, 26, of Marblehead, was speeding across the lake around 2:30 a.m., when he hit a snowdrift and launched himself into the air, said Fish and Game Officer Mark Hensel. Drew landed 100 feet away, injuring his hip and suffering possible internal injuries. Drew was alone on the snowmobile. -Worm

03-05-2007, 03:25 PM	#26
tricia1218 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: MA/Paugus Bay Posts: 155 Thanks: 31 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Seems a small detail was left out of the article, alcohol is suspected in the accident.