The Great Western Challenge Regatta & Thoughts on Early Ice Checking
At the time of this post, we have abundant ice in Minnesota to look to for the Great Western Challenge... Today's Modis Imagery at 250m resolution clearly shows frozen lakes including Dead, Christina, the East End of Minnewaska, ect. where we know the ice is more than 5 inches in a different color than lakes that have recently frozen and have less than 4 appear to be the same color as open water.
1. We have a lot of ice, more coming soon.
2. There are two weather threats on the event horizon, with a 50% chance of light snow on Sunday this week, where they expect any accumulations will be east of a line from St Cloud to Fairmont, (placing Buffalo at some risk) and an Alberta Clipper System coming thru the State on Wednesday... though some models are showing this weak system staying north of the Minnesota Canada Border. Sure to be followed by some Arctic Air...
3. Right now it looks like we're in good shape to have choices to make with a final site selection.
4. The selection criteria for this event is: The Best Ice in Minnesota, which is ususally defined as the sheet of fantastic suitable ice that's closest to the Twin Cities Metro Area...
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Comments
Buffalo Lake, Buffalo
A Posting on a fishing website: 11/28 (Friday)
Re: Buffalo [Re: fshnut]
Rory
FishingMN Family
Registered: 11/16/08
Posts: 21
Loc: Albertville MN
Just drove past Buffalo there was one guy out in front of the courthouse in the area were the big group of houses sets up. I didnt go out there because I had the family with, but might try Sunday if I dont get stuck doing household chores.
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It's currently making ice on Buffalo, Reports of generally 3.5 - 4 inches with thin spots. I expect there are hazards there to be identified, bring your GPS.
As this is probably the consensus closest big ice, it's a leading candidate to be the primary site for the Great Western Challenge Regatta, depending on snow events and ice suitablity. At present I'm more concerned about suitablilty than snow, which was never a large threat, and now diminishing in the forecasts (short and medium range)
I propose to check Buffalo today in the light air (Saturday 11/29) before the breeze on Sunday, and remain set up there if possible. If nobody else wants to check thin ice today, it's quite possible to sail Swede on a Short Course today... it's a hoot even in light air.
The Buffalo isn't quite done...
There are large areas of Buffalo Lake that are thinner than the USACE Ice Standards provide for a 200 pound load. Large Areas.
Checking Ice
http://www.iceboating.net/node/2477#comment-6717
I record observations;
- When did it appear to be substantially frozen?
- Observed Hazards, (migratory waterfoul???)
- Does it bear your weight? (if no, record observations and reschedule ice checking)
- Length of Ice Crystals (best seen by pissing on the ice surface)
- Go to Freshest Ice and test to see if it bears your weight and record thickness and compositon observations. (I particularly enjoy doing this alone at about sunset).
- Take a picture of the ice, and of your dry shoes, and email it immediately.
- In the case of Christina, I'm particuarly interested in knowing if that little blue portable fish house is set up in the narrows on Pelican lake, yet... every time I see that, sailing happens.
- Consult http://www.iceboating.net/safety
- Conclude yes no. I can yes/no set up and sail right now and go check further, ( in this case, a process I propose to populate on Saturday.) and put your sail number's credibility on the post.
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