Dorks, Wusses and Ice Crossing....

“I just called and got the # for the ranger...

The Park Office recommended calling him one week prior to the tip.

by the way....maximum group is 9.....so Goretexx can't go.”

“THe short cut to the Zealand Falls hut is across the pond.

It is a fairly shallow beaver pond.


I tell you what. I wouldn't be the first one across. And I would want to be sure that the tracks I was following were fresh (that is, there hadn't been a significant warming spell!)

I would think that with the deep cold in the ADK you should be fine. With the HUGE caveat that springs can play havoc with freezing patterns.”

“This brings to mind the scene in Never Cry Wolf when he sinks to the bottom of the lake and can't find a hole up the through the ice. Scary stuff.

One time my entire Scout troop was on an xc ski trip and we were posing in the middle of a frozen lake for a photo. All of the sudden there was this really deep BOOM and vibrations. We got off the ice lickety split!”

“Do what Jon Krakuer did. I believe he recounted this story in his book "into the wild"

WHile doing a solo across a glacier in alaska he strapped two long poles to his body in a big cross. One going from front to back. The other going the other way.

THe poles (I forget what they were from) were supposed to keep him from plunging into the depths of a crevasse.”

“If the ice is making noise, it's making more ice. You ran for nothing because the ice was getting better, not worse.”

“Some people prefer the wet side.”

“Whoever weighs the most always goes first. If he makes it then the rest should be ok.”

“If I fell through, I have no doubt that one of the many gallant and noble young studs accompanying me would come to my rescue (ha). That said, I think that would pretty much classify the trip as "well, that sucked."

I think I'd rather play it safe, if it came down to only saving a mile or so...”

“girl”

“I'll take all the booze and ambiance and throw it into our sled and start sprinting across the ice with it....

Something tells me I would be followed real quick!”

“I initiated a fellow ice-crosser today!

Come! Speak Up Fellow Ice Crosser!

Tell the world of the glory of ice crossing!”

“I wish I could count the times I have fallen through the ice. I have never hiked a lake with a pack. I have heard of the two sharpened ice picks and the pole idea... I have no clue if they would work.

All I know is that each time I fell it was immediate shock (even though it was only chest deep). I tried to crawl out but as I would put my weight onto the edge it would break. Fortunately I as able to get to the shore and get home before I was a birchcicle. I would avoid it,unless necessary.”

“Birch...

What was the reason the ice broke?

Wasn't it thick enough?”

“I didn't say I never played on the ice - I do all the time - skating, ice fishing, x-country skiing - skiing on a pond is the best! In northern Maine I don't even think twice about it. I'm just not gonna talk someone else into it.

Today I skied all over Lake St George, it was great! There were also about 15 trucks and cars and a kajillion snowmobiles on the lake with me. We've had several weeks of sub zero temps as well, but there was still open water in a couple of places.

Later on while hiking on snowmobile trails I hiked down to a pond seemingly untouched by humans. I didn't venture out on it, not because I thought it was unsafe, but because it was so pristine (duck boxes and all, lol)

I'm sure the pond is fine, but why do you want to try and talk people into doing something they're uncomfortable with? Especially something with the potential for real danger?”

“"I'm sure the pond is fine, but why do you want to try and talk people into doing something they're uncomfortable with? Especially something with the potential for real danger?"

I know where you are coming from Twigeater...

I definitely wouldn't want anyone to get hurt. That is why I am asking so much anyway...

I feel very confident that the ice will be safe for what we will be doing taking in consideration the size of Putnam Pond and the weather they have been having.

I just want to make sure everyone else feels just as confident.”

“Well, I'd say to each his own - but good luck! And stay away from pressure ridges...

Did you ever say how much mileage this crossing is gonna save?

I'm looking forward to walking out on Chimney Pond in a few weeks. However it's only 6 feet deep and normally freezes to the bottom, that's why there's no life in it.”

“Adventurist. I would be with you on this, if we all tied rope to each other, so if one fell, we could pull his/her arse out.”

“Its not the fact that it will save us mileage so to say but it puts base-camp at a better location for the other days' activities. The lake is basically right near the parking area... All we would have to do is cross the lake and walk one mile further to the Lean-to.

I'm still trying to get in touch with the ranger for the area to see what he thinks....”

“I posted at the beginning of this thread. I still avoid open water when it's practical (most of the time). If you're sure of the ice - if you're a 'local' in other words, join the vehicles etc. On more remote lakes - no thanks.

I was even nervous on lakes in the James Bay region over the Christmas hols, although I did shoot one of my caribou on the ice in a bay. My three buddies rented a snowmobile on our third day to get two caribou they'd had to leave the previous evening. While I was sawing off limbs, etc. they went ice fishing. They got the snowmobile and the trailer stuck in a hole and walked out soaking wet. Luckily, they weren't far from the truck, otherwise it would definitely have been a life-threatening situation. I'd only have gone out with a guide in those circumstances.

I have over 45 years of stories like that, but I'll stop before your eyes glaze over.

What was it Mark Twight said? 'Good judgement is the result of experience, while experience is the result of poor judgement.'”