Looking for Ice This Weekend…
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Lots of ice has set up over the past couple of days but conditions are challenging. We were on Quabag before Christmas recent weather puts it in the unsafe till proven otherwise status.
New Hampshire has a number of rumors and people have skated including Otter pond, Squam and Winnipesaukee off Leavitts Beach and Wentworth. Sunapee though sailed yesterday is not considered safe now by those who were there a little over 24hrs ago. There have also been reports of ice on Sebago and Mallets Bay in VT has reports of decent ice.
T is trying to find the best option for the remaining unsailed regattas from 2019. His call will be made later in the day. Remember just about anyone can get on the course and if your not racing they can always use scorers or just sail outside of the course.
With so many new plates coming in all at once it is hard to say where the best and safest conditions are. Remember there is safety in numbers. We need further information from people on the ice. Buddy up scout and sail with extreme caution. There have been a lot of pretty ice pictures from skaters (some sail too) floating around on social and the web but we need a little higher confidence level.
I believe there are good sailing venues out there but things just need to be checked and please share so that we can spread the word.
Thinking about checking out ice leads and following the skaters? Buddy up. Don’t have a buddy post a comment below. Report back your findings via comment below or ice@neiya.org. You will be rewarded when others come out to sail with you.
Sail Fast and Sail Safe,
John
DN5023
Andre’ Baby sends this favorable report about ice Ouest of Montreal on the St Lawrence River. Google Map Link to Baie-D’Urfe https://goo.gl/maps/ePz15KVu8u61XQkg7
Hello all,
Robin and I just walked the ice at Baie d’Urfé. 8 inches of grade 9 hard black ice with 2 % of small leftover drifts 1/2 inch high, negligible, but with up to 1 inch water on entire surface.
High winds of 40 km/h + tomorrow should help evaporate the water. Will check tomorrow and hopefully sail Sunday, Monday until the snow falls.
(B d’ U is much bigger sailing area than Valois bay.)
Cheers,
André
12/27/2019 at 6:17 pm
We skated out on Winni from Center Harbor Friday morning and the surface was soft. Raining. Forecast says 32 tonight sunny near 40 Saturday. Colder Sat night. 39 and calm Sunday. Snow starting late Sunday. I’m afraid this cycle of good ice is over.
12/27/2019 at 2:35 pm
Lee thanks for your input. Im afraid you are right. Lesson, learned and relearned, get on the ice when it’s there. John
12/27/2019 at 3:13 pm