Waiting for Frost...

We had a hard first overnight but are waiting one more day for another frost before heading to the ice. Meanwhile I checked out our local spot.  Plenty of ice but not yet thick enough for a skate.  I did happen to have the kites with me and ended up having a kite ski nearby at Black Rock.

Hopefully frost and ice tomorrow!

Mahinerangi Arm

Not enough!

Black Rock

Unexpected Skate!

Lake Camp (click for full size)

After a week of warm windy weather we had no plans to go skating this weekend but on a drive to Christchurch today I decided to visit a couple of ice spots on the way through.  The road to Clearwater had some surface ice in various places, little ice on the lakes but I was treated to fabulous views and great weather.

The gate to Lake Ida was locked so had a look at Lake Evelyn and was treated to a skate on the shady side - hard bumpy snow ice (30-40mm) - at the top end of the lake. The rest of the lake was water.  I was joined by Jeremy and Lucy from ChCh.  They had walked through to Ida but not skated as were unsure how safe it was but thought the ice looked similar to Evelyn.  Great to have an unexpected skate and good to see some ice has held through the warm spell.

Evelyn

Jeremy and Lucy

Season underway

Lower Manorburn Dam was much the same as yesterday but the snowy surface had hardened.  Foggy and a very light frost.  Most of the dam has ice coverage but unsure of thickness further out as did not venture too far with the ice being creaky.  Need a hard frost.
Had a good skate in Rush Cutters corner - surface hard and a little bumpy.

Let there be ice!

Lower Manorburn Dam - 30-40 mm in Rushcutters and the rest of the basin covered.   Ice over the lower basin as well - unsure of thickness.
Ice was hard but covered in light snow.  Had a skate but slow turning with the snow.  Great to get the first good skate for the year.

Local ice

Went looking for ice locally this morning after a big frost. Managed to get skates on briefly. Plenty of ice but not thick and hard enough. Hoping to check out Central in the next day or two.

No skate yet

A little ice on the Lower Manorburn today in Rushcutters - around 15 mm and melting in the wind. Clear water elsewhere.

Ice check

Went past Coalpit and Idaburn today for an ice check. A little unskateable snow ice on Coalpit and clear water on Ida. Hopefully the new cold spell will settle in!

Cold Snap

The cold snap brought ice to a local spot but not enough for a skate. Windy now and temps are up.

Waiting for Ice

The first cold snap heading our way this week- and hoping it brings ice.


Spotted thin ice on the Manorburn today and at the Arrow Junction Pond last week.  Here's hoping!

a skim of thin ice - Lower Manorburn

Arrow J Pond