After an ok frost this morning I went up to Poolburn today to see if any ice had survived from my last visit. Quite a bit of water compared to last week but there was evidence the ice had thickened before melting again around the edges. I had a great skate across the main bay but was careful to keep away from the weak and open areas. Well worth the visit.
Also had a skate at Dansey's on the way home.
Coalpit and Ida had some ice but were a few frosts away from anything skateable.
Back up to Poolburn today before heading home. Arrived to clear sky and a reasonable frost. Headed over to the far bay first to see if the ice had improved. Ice was thicker than yesterday and was able to safely skate quite a way out. Then moved to the main bay and was treated to a great skate. Clear black ice! Ice still varied a bit and had to take care. Another frost or two would really set it up.
On the way back I stopped in for a skate in the domain pond in Oturehua - just because I could....
Bit of a wait this year for the cold weather. Set off yesterday for a look around the skating spots. Managed to get the skates on a very small pool by a creek but nothing much else. Today was better. Visit to Poolburn and more ice than yesterday and had a great first skate at the shaded edge of the main bay. Ice was clear, hard and almost thick enough but held my weight ok. Had a look in a few other places and had a wee skate at the edge behind the dam. (Needs a few more frosts)
Water level is very low this year and making the resevoir edges look quite different. Track is rough but mainly dry with a big water hole at the top.
