We got on the plate at Martins Point launch where the ice is still tight to the ramp, but slightly submerged and covered with a puddle. Trailers can get down to the left of that puddle. A stream lead is off to the right, looking out, extending quite far. Be aware. We plan to show up around 9am and begin to mark hazzards. The sailing should be great.
The plate looks great. There is a thin film of water skimmed with ice. You’ll probably bump over our footprints tomorrow. It is four inches everywhere; very little variation. Ice is hard and will give us a 7ish surface. There is one open crack crossing the lake, and we found two drainholes that could eat a runner, but just barely. There might be others.
We checked the north end from Nason’s Beach, below, and found pretty much the same conditions. There was a flock of birds on the ice off in the distance. We don’t know if they had an open hole to hang out in or were just standing on the ice waiting for a cast off fish from the fishermen.
Most of Damariscotta is open again, except Muscongus Bay. It’s hanging in there with 3″. Could recover by the end of the week if it get as cold as predicted, especially as the wind forecast is minimal. Wind could become the issue mid-week just as we get some good ice. Good news coming in from Squam and Wentworth as well. Stand by for updates from there.