Unexpected ice...

Weak ice Coalpit

Dave P and I decided (late last night) to go out and explore today not really expecting to see any ice suitable for skating but to gather a little information about what is out there.
Coal Pit Dam was out first point of call. Surrounded by snow the dam had about 10mm of ice covered in another 10-15mm of snow ice.  The ice was very weak and would not hold any weight though I did try the ice-skoot on the edge.
We headed then to Idaburn - the dam was mostly water with a skim of ice near the edge.
We debated whether to bother going to Poolburn but after seeing not too much snow on the hills decide to head up for a look.   Getting there was interesting as parts of the track had snow drifts and we had to go off track to get around.
The whole dam was covered with 'not quite enough' ice - snow effected ice that had become weak with warming temperatures.  We explored a bit and found stronger ice in one bay and were able to have an unexpected skate around the edge of the bay.  Bumpy and rough but hard.
A light wind came up and I was also able to have a snow kite around the end of the same bay (yeah!).
A fun day all round.

Testing the edge - Coalpit

Dave P skating the edge - Poolburn

Snow kiting

Poolburn

Ice Report:

Coalpit Dam - Thin ice cover by thicker snow ice - still a way off skating.  Some snow on the track in.

Ida Burn - Mostly water - skim of ice around the hut edge.

Poolburn - Covered in 20-40mm of snow affected ice - lots of air in the ice making it weak.  Some edge bits skate-able if you are early and take care.  Track needs 4wd (and maybe chains) due to snow drifts.

Waiting for the frost....

It has been a wild week for weather with plenty of wind and temperatures above freezing all around Otago.  More stormy weather this weekend and no sign of ice.
Back to waiting for the frost!

First ice 2015....

Looking out from Rush Cutters - good ice to the left. 

Well it has been a long wait after the early end to last season.   I missed the frosts last week and have been waiting for conditions to settle again after a week of wild weather.   Made a snap decision to head to the Lower Manorburn this morning after the temperature did a massive plunge over night to -6.

Great to find skate able ice - hard and smooth black (locked in) ice over Rush Cutters corner. Probably the best early season skate I have ever had.

Looked like the ice in Rush Cutters has been there for a day or two but the rest of the dam was covered with about 10mm of new ice.  Fabulous skate...

Ice Report:  Skateable ice in Rush Cutters corner 60mm going out to 30mm (approx).  Cracking as the day warmed up.  10mm over rest of main basin and lower basin.  Won't last unless we get more frost...

Alta your view.....

Well I did not think I would be making a natural ice post this late in the season...
Went to the Remarkables ski area today to try the new lift and to get a view of Lake Alta. Dave and I have been talking about skating there for a while.

Skied and walked across to Lake Alta to have a look at the snow ice.  The wind had been blowing and smoothed off one edge of the lake and it seemed hard enough to skate on.   Luckily I had my skates so skied back to the car to get the gear.  By the time I got back to the lake (after lunch by this time)  the snow and ice had softened but I still went for a kind of crusty skate.   First thing in the morning would have worked well I think.

The ice was snow ice packed on top of the original ice sheet. Very thick and hard to determine the depth.  I talked to a couple of local dudes and Dude 1 told me he was up there in October last year and there was still ice over the whole lake - he went up to swim but was unable too.  Walk time is about 40 minutes from the Ski base (according to Dude 1).

Worth investigating further!

View of Lake Alta - from the ski slope

Dave - (photo by Dude 2)

A crusty skate......

Not frost....but ice!

Well... despite no frost overnight I decided to head up to the Lower Manorburn this morning and was treated to a great skate.  Smooth, hard dry ice.  Was a bit of a surprise as I thought it may have weakened and softened in the warmer temps.  Able to skate much of the main basin although it was creaky further out.  Water at either end of the main basin with an ice shelf up one side towards the neck.
Nice to cut a few curves....

Ice was weakening in the sun as I left.  If a few frosts come it might last a bit.

Fresh curves of fun - on smooth ice..

Enjoying the sun

Ice shelf towards the neck

Still a bit of ice

Have heard this morning that there is still ice in Rush Cutters and a little way out on the Lower Manorburn.   Soft around the edges and firm further out.  

Lets hope for a frost tonight!

Hardwater Kiting.....

Video from last Friday at Poolburn - kiting on a frozen lake... ( hard water :-)