Ice. Got Any??

[Bryce]

A few of the smaller ponds and lakes have been iced over for a bit. I was thinking of checking them out for thickness. Maybe get to try the ice skates with the kite??

I saw the iceboating guys are having a regatta this weekend if anyone is interested up around Alexandria.
http://www.iceboating.net/

Remember to check the ice all around where you are kiting!

[JERRY]

RODE TRIP

Who's up to Alex.

[kiteboymn]

Could be a good time to "switch" things up.

Anyone else?

Todd

[wyatt]

Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis froze over last night - not that you'd want to kite there, but I take it as a sign of things to come (Calhoun is still WIDE open). I'll be doing a check of Swede this weekend and will issue a full report (unless someone in the neighborhood gets out there first).

Cold front coming through on Monday-Tuesday should make for good ice-making weather - looks like lows in the teens. Let it begin!

[Mike B]

Heading to Lake Christina on Saturday/Sunday to hang out with the iceboat crew. Milepost 8 past Ashby. I will have my skates, skis, blades of doom, and my kites with me.

[JERRY]

Where's the wind

Gravity turns instead on white strip down bump.

[kiteboymn]

Vick and I will be there with multiple ice toys. Anyone wanting demo a 3rd gen Switchblade rig is more than welcome. (I'll have 3-4 with me)

9-12 mph winds, sunny, 30 degrees, should be a fun hoggers delight!

Todd

[JRN]

PROJECT LOOMS. Friends hog fun. Moon glints off blades & ice.

[Matt V]

So the big question is,"how thick is the ice around Alex?"

I have a place to stay up at Alexandria and Spicer. I prefer terrain so I have been Google Earthin it lately and have found some promising WMA's. I also came across the ski hill that would do to save a no wind day. Anybody find good terrain up around Alex or Spicer? I know it will be a wait for some snow, but I like to have options.

Luckily it is snowing good here in Omaha, NE right now and we may just get the perfect wet/heavy base to cover the bean fields but not enough to fill in the grassed terraces. I almost do not want to make tracks in it until it gets cold tonight.

[MK]

Just got a call from a friend of mine who drove past Lake Christina. This is my old stomping grounds. My friend thought of me because he thought he saw 2 kites up. Nice of him to report in. I started following the ice boat event on facebook in the hopes thier poster, Deb, gives us a glimpse of a kiter.

The Switchblade should do the trick! Glad to hear the ice is nearing us. It won't be too long now. January is always a safe bet to consider but I'll hope for some bonus December time.

[wyatt]

Took a drive out to Swede Lake today...

When I got there, there were two guys with questionable judgment fishing out on the ice already, about 50 yards from the launch area. I walked out about 10-15 yards and heard the ice crack beneath my feet. I thought better of it and got the ice depth from them at a safe distance - they said it was about two inches. Ooooookayyyy...I walked slow and soft getting off.

Ice was soft, black ice with 95% coverage over the lake. There were a few wet spots that I could see from the safety of my car in the shallow island areas around the lake. Snow coverage was about 25% and what snow was on the ice seemed to adhere pretty well. Depending on how much snow we get, the cold temps over the next week should firm things up. I'm going to stay off it for now, but may consider a ride next weekend. I love it when a plan comes together.

[peterrib]

A few guys fishing on Ripley today. I walked out from my house with a chisel
and found about 1 1/2 in. Creaks and cracks. Not enough for me. Still alot of
open water.
Peter

[Netdewt]

I'm getting antsy. Snow tonight was nice!

[Woody]

our big lake 'Wabigoon' here in Canada is about 4-5" now of mirror smooth black ice. Ice boat heaven, wish I had one! Could go for 20 miles if you want!!

[tom_latcham]

Upper lake Minnetonka frooze over last night. Lower lake is still open water. Without snow to insulate it, we should form an inch a day. Making upper lake safe by Sunday. I am sure swede is safe now. The season is about to begin. Lets hope it thickens up then gets a nice snow fall near the end of next week.
TL

[BSMITH]

It looks like decent SW winds on Saturday. I'll try to check out Swede after work tomorrow.

[fabrino]

medicine looks frozen on the webcam.. has anybody tested it?

it'd be nice to get some snow but for now
skis are waxed and sharpened..

[Jason_L]

Did Swede freeze over before we got the snow. If there is some snow coverage, i'd be up for checking it out this weekend. Otherwise a grass field might work.

[fabrino]

i am too planning to check swede this weekend..sat around 12.00.. I'll report tomorrow..

[davec]

Swede was froze before the snow, but we barely got any snow out here, just a dusting.