Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

The entire south end is a lovely plate of 4.5” grey ice. It’s just rough enough to return that wonderful clickity clack from the runners we all love so much. How it recovered remains a mystery. At the Vannah Rd. launch there is an inch and a half of crusty snow between you and the ice. There are a scattering of slush pits just to make it more interesting.

If you could deploy skunners, or just lash skis to the chocks it will save a hard sweaty slog. The snow runs out about 200 yds. Once you have the ice, it’s clear as far north as the narrows, west to Camp Kieve, and halfway into Deep Cove. These spots are snow choked. The rest is heavenly.

I can’t make it tomorrow so it’s up to you all to self organize. It’s the best and only decent plate we have so far.

But, the rumors around Thompson Lake, the site of last year’s late season black ice, are true. This just in from Eddie Zelonish:

“We skated south end of Thompson Lake today on 3 to 4 inch black ice. It was reported to be 1 inch at the north end 24 or more hours ago. 0 degree low tonight for that region. Could be good. “

Just a reminder from last season on Thompson:

In spite of the fact that we were dripping in Black Ice for weeks before that last snow, it never ceases to inspire wonder.

For all you southerners, Quabog Pond will be sailed tomorrow. 3-5” ice with a 1/2” wind blown snow reported.

Humble as Fred was, he asked that no formal service be performed for him. With that in mind, the CIBC will hold an informal gathering to share Fred stories.

This Friday, 1/19, from 4:00 to 6:00 at Bill’s Shop.

31 Gosses Hill Rd.

Fred’s favorite drinks and snacks will be served.

All iceboaters welcome, park creatively!

Check it out. Book now to avoid the rush:

Think Ice Globally – Sail Mongolia! – iceboat.org iceboat.org

Thanks so much for the good company and fine sailing skills of Guillaume Bourdin and Nils Haëntjens, aka The French Guys, and Peter Boynton. Peter is getting to know his Whizz and is doing a great job of outfitting it and sailing smart.
The French Guys have been sailing Freeskates since we’ve known them and just today sailed their new DN’s for the first time. Helluva maiden voyage!

Someday there will be a report here on a long shot that didn’t hit. Today isn’t that day. The reported shell had healed nicely, but the view from Goulds Landing out over the lake showed many layers of open water. Indeed, it appeared that we might be trapped in the little bay and forced to sail short track all day. The wind was piping up way over the forecast and this, combined with the water and hard ice was not encouraging.

But there was one way out, as Dwayne Allman said, so we marked it with pine boughs and emerged onto an endless plate of smooth grey ice, four inches thick. Still, everywhere in the distance was more water.

We rounded up our little fleet of four and headed for the northern horizon. Water, water everywhere and hopefully not a drop to drink. The size and dark color of the big holes were easy to see if you paid attention.
For the first time this season we made it to our lake-top retreat:

And then that glorious downwind run that Pushaw is famous for. But in this case we were traveling different lines and found yet more big holes we hadn’t seen on the way up. Exhilarating!

Between all that water, of course, was nothing but grade ten ice. Really unique for this time of year, but since when have we had a normal year?

Below is an image of what happened to the ice during the last storm. It appears that the plate was broken up and then cast to the wind to land in pieces on this debris field.

Tomorrow’s gale will probably inflict yet more damage. But Pushaw has been coming back again and again all winter so don’t count it out yet. And there might be other lakes, but show me one as wonderful to sail with such staying power and we’ll be on it.

Greenland, perhaps?