Hi
Sorry for the newbie question but I'm visiting the Twin Cities for this week only.
Is the ice likely to be safe to kite-ski on this weekend after a few days of 48 degree temps? I've been kiting on Nokomis for the last 10 years during my annual visit, but never had to worry about thawed ice before.
James
Visitor's question - ice safety during warm spell
Moderator: MK
-
jamescarlyle
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2003 8:39 am
Re: Visitor's question - ice safety during warm spell
Kind of the same question I have about Mille for the weekend of the Crossing. The answer is:
You can never find out from a forum about actual conditions. I own a small hand ice auger and drill a few holes as well as talk to some icefishermen. If the ice is 12" or more, you only have to worry about where there is open water. If no open water, then there is still the possibility of thin ice around springs. But that is always there too, even when really cold.
I do love warm ice though. Pretty easy to edge with a snowboard when it is warm and skis seem to be happier than on snow. Back in 2011, I swam out (in a dry suit) from the shore to the ice up at Lake Kampeska (Watertown, SD). There were a few icefishermen out and I had a blast on the ice. As I recall, the ice was some where around 18-24 inches but ringed around the shore with open water except for a few spots the icefishermen were using for access.
But think safety! Not exactly a bad time to be wearing a lifejacket. You could even put a wetsuit under your clothes too. And if you go in, an impact vest could help if the kite powers up and slams you into the edge of the broken ice.
Again, I have had some great times on warm ice.
Here is a vid from a few years back
https://vimeo.com/groups/229181/videos/86767953
You can never find out from a forum about actual conditions. I own a small hand ice auger and drill a few holes as well as talk to some icefishermen. If the ice is 12" or more, you only have to worry about where there is open water. If no open water, then there is still the possibility of thin ice around springs. But that is always there too, even when really cold.
I do love warm ice though. Pretty easy to edge with a snowboard when it is warm and skis seem to be happier than on snow. Back in 2011, I swam out (in a dry suit) from the shore to the ice up at Lake Kampeska (Watertown, SD). There were a few icefishermen out and I had a blast on the ice. As I recall, the ice was some where around 18-24 inches but ringed around the shore with open water except for a few spots the icefishermen were using for access.
But think safety! Not exactly a bad time to be wearing a lifejacket. You could even put a wetsuit under your clothes too. And if you go in, an impact vest could help if the kite powers up and slams you into the edge of the broken ice.
Again, I have had some great times on warm ice.
Here is a vid from a few years back
https://vimeo.com/groups/229181/videos/86767953
Re: Visitor's question - ice safety during warm spell
As pointed out, it depends on the lake. For example, Harriet is spring-fed and a guy went through with an iceboat the same day I was driving my car on White Bear. This in the middle of a cold winter.
Late season the ice starts to fragment and crystallize and water will push up to the surface of the ice under your body weight. If you move a few meters, the water will drain and appear to evaporate. A sure sign the fat lady is about to sing...
Regardless, always be prepared and take your ice picks.
I walked across Calhoun yesterday day and it looks good. A few folks were out on windsurfer free skates and there were a number of ice fisherman.
YMMV....be safe.
/Adam
Late season the ice starts to fragment and crystallize and water will push up to the surface of the ice under your body weight. If you move a few meters, the water will drain and appear to evaporate. A sure sign the fat lady is about to sing...
Regardless, always be prepared and take your ice picks.
I walked across Calhoun yesterday day and it looks good. A few folks were out on windsurfer free skates and there were a number of ice fisherman.
YMMV....be safe.
/Adam