11-15-2006, 01:57 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Not trying to scare you but just to make folks aware that frozen slush is not nearly as rigid and stable as clear ice. You CAN often walk safely on 2"-3" of clear NEW ice, especially if it is really cold and the ice is still forming. That's when it pops and cracks a lot and can scare the excretions out of the squeamish. However, even four inches or more of frozen slush can be potentially dangerous. Air pockets and coagulated ice crystals are not nearly as strong for the same thickness.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My "experience" happened on Holmes Creek Pond many years ago. The first big cold snap in December had put ice on most of the lower elevation waters...some safe and some not. A fishing buddy and myself had been eagerly awaiting first ice on Holmes Creek, since it always fished best just after the first good ice. We stood on shore and reached out with the auger to drill a hole. Six inches of frozen slush. We went out a ways farther and augered another hole. About the same. After several test holes and seemingly safe ice we bravely started trudging across the crunchy white ice.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I was in the lead. Without warning the ice suddenly sagged beneath me. Instinctively I flopped over backward, with my arms and legs outspread. That kept my legs from actually sinking into the water. My buddy also went prone, a few steps behind me. He had been carrying the ice auger and he extended it to my outstretched hand and then pulled me backward out of the depression. We belly crawled for several feet and then got up and CAREFULLY retraced our route back to shore.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I was wearing all waterproof gear and only shipped a small amount of water into my boots. I think I got wetter on the inside...from natural causes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I also witnessed the sagging ice syndrome at the south marina on Willard Bay. Late in the season, the warm days were eating away at the ice, after several thaws and refreezings. That ice was ugly. But, a couple of hardy (foolish) souls started out to fish beside the docks. I could see the ice sagging and forming waves as the lead guy moved out. Same for the second guy. When the first guy stopped and the second guy caught up with him, they both went down, with a large sheet of ice that just broke free. Fortunately they were right next to the dock and several people were there to help them up out of the water...minus their fishing gear.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I hate to chastise anyone, but when you went ice fishing alone, on thin and unstable ice, you really did not exhibit good sense. Sure, the macho thing is great and all us hairy chested he-men types get off on it. But, your family and friends don't really relish the prospect of remembering how brave you were as they lower your casket into the hole.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let's all be safe this year. Go with others on your ice fishing trips...especially early and late, when the ice is least safe. Always carry rope and a throw life preserver...just in case. It is also not a bad idea to wear a PFD on some of those scary sessions, especially if you are alone. Even if you fall through and freeze to death, your stiff body will be easier to recover for your loved ones.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lastly, always invite some big guy (like me) along and make sure he walks in front. If he can make it, you can too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My "experience" happened on Holmes Creek Pond many years ago. The first big cold snap in December had put ice on most of the lower elevation waters...some safe and some not. A fishing buddy and myself had been eagerly awaiting first ice on Holmes Creek, since it always fished best just after the first good ice. We stood on shore and reached out with the auger to drill a hole. Six inches of frozen slush. We went out a ways farther and augered another hole. About the same. After several test holes and seemingly safe ice we bravely started trudging across the crunchy white ice.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I was in the lead. Without warning the ice suddenly sagged beneath me. Instinctively I flopped over backward, with my arms and legs outspread. That kept my legs from actually sinking into the water. My buddy also went prone, a few steps behind me. He had been carrying the ice auger and he extended it to my outstretched hand and then pulled me backward out of the depression. We belly crawled for several feet and then got up and CAREFULLY retraced our route back to shore.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I was wearing all waterproof gear and only shipped a small amount of water into my boots. I think I got wetter on the inside...from natural causes.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I also witnessed the sagging ice syndrome at the south marina on Willard Bay. Late in the season, the warm days were eating away at the ice, after several thaws and refreezings. That ice was ugly. But, a couple of hardy (foolish) souls started out to fish beside the docks. I could see the ice sagging and forming waves as the lead guy moved out. Same for the second guy. When the first guy stopped and the second guy caught up with him, they both went down, with a large sheet of ice that just broke free. Fortunately they were right next to the dock and several people were there to help them up out of the water...minus their fishing gear.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I hate to chastise anyone, but when you went ice fishing alone, on thin and unstable ice, you really did not exhibit good sense. Sure, the macho thing is great and all us hairy chested he-men types get off on it. But, your family and friends don't really relish the prospect of remembering how brave you were as they lower your casket into the hole.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Let's all be safe this year. Go with others on your ice fishing trips...especially early and late, when the ice is least safe. Always carry rope and a throw life preserver...just in case. It is also not a bad idea to wear a PFD on some of those scary sessions, especially if you are alone. Even if you fall through and freeze to death, your stiff body will be easier to recover for your loved ones.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Lastly, always invite some big guy (like me) along and make sure he walks in front. If he can make it, you can too.[/#0000ff]
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