Almost time for skis (alaska)

[matsuthunder200]

Just wanted to know how many alaskans will be on skes. Another week or two the lakes should be ready. Due to all this warm weather the ice is not to thick yet. Has anyone done any ice checks yet ?? I had a report of 4 to 6 inches in the vally area....

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Almost time for skes (alaska)

Hey Lance,
I checked Anderson a few days ago and it had only three inches of ice. Unless we get a cold shot that lasts for a week or so,it may not be ready for my Tcraft for a few more weeks. I look for a personal minimum of eight inches of ice because some where on the lake,you can bet,it will be less. These storm systems we have had for the last six weeks have kept me on the ground. I am getting antsy!

[Dick Smith]

Re: Almost time for skes (alaska)

Lance, I've been on skis since Monday, ice here at Douglas Lk is about 5 inches thick and is not the hardest ice I've ever seen. When I was checking it yesterday, there were moose tracks where I was walking. We need some clear and cold wx to firm things up. I'm with Jim on present conditions...not quite enough ice yet. Am tied down on Arness Strip right now. Dick

[pipsqueak]

Re: Almost time for skes (alaska)

Hello Lance, I plan on getting my ski's on soon. I was out on the trapline the other day with my snowmachine and had to cross two rivers and quite a few lakes. The ice on this side of the mountains (McGrath area) is not much better. We have a average of about 4" to 6" of ice with lots of overflow on the lakes. With all the warm temps we are having and the amount of snow it still is not that safe on this side. Soon I hope.

Barney Anselment

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Almost time for skes (alaska)

I talked to some frinds who was out practiceing on there snomachines for the irondog. they made it up the big sue and up the yetna to skwentna. There are still some open leads in the river. I think we are still a few weeks out for good ice. I am getting the bug got some new wolf traps i need to try. Hows the trapping going in the McGrath area Barney.

[pipsqueak]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

I have always wanted to try my luck at the iron dog but never could afford it. Glad to hear you trap wolf. There are so many out here, they really need to be thinned out a little. I have two little girls and live so remote that the wolves come through the yard now and then. I am happy to hear that the state is going to allow aerial hunting again this winter. As for me I have got about 60 miles of my trap line set. I just skinned 18 marten and 2 mink today and have 26 marten so far. From the animal sign it looks like it may be a pretty good winter for trapping. You may know the place but "Alaska Range Trapping Supply Inc." @ 951 Bunker hill Wasilla AK is a good place to get trapping supplies. You can also sell your furs through the guy that owns the place. The phone # is 907 376 2621. Good luck trapping, Barney

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Boy just when i thought it might be getting cold again it warmed up to 47 and rained all day if it keeps this up everything is going to melt in fact there is no snow in wasilla now its gone. I did go snow machineing today at petersvill was about 5 ft of snow. Might be coming to McGrath in feb my frinds race the irondog. Ill prob,fly for them part of the way to nome.. I know i haft to make a few trips to shell lake and rainy pass hauling some fuel so they can practice.

[pipsqueak]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Lance, on your trips out this way if you need anything be sure to stop in. Stop in anyway for a visit and some food and coffee. I have tools, gas, heaters, and some guest cabins. Medfra (MDR) we are in the APT directory. Barney

[Steve Long]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Lance and gang,

I've haven't checked the forum for awhile, but the weather sure has been a stinker lately. I finally got my plane home from Willow just last Friday. I was having the floats taken off and some other little things done. I'm not going to get the skis on until Lake Hood gets a little thicker and we get some colder weather. We ought to plan another winter fly-in to Vogel or someplace. We know the drill on that place don't we Jim?? I'm sure Dick won't want to chance us getting stuck at his place another two nights. It was fun though, looking back on it. I have a friend who used to use his PA12 on skis to run a trapline in the valley and he was always getting stuck someplace. That's all I know for now. Steve.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Steve, getting stuck somewhere can be half the fun...anyway you guys are always welcome! The ice is only about 4 inches thick here, but at least the snow on top of the ice has melted and whatever's there will be ice when the temps drop. I checked on the plane today...it is sitting on skis, which are in turn, now sitting on gravel. But I'm living in hope...that it will get cold enough to make some decent ice! I'm up for another Taylorcraft gathering(s), too.
In any case, it was good to see that the missing Maule pilot was found in good condition, after being lost here on the Kenai for 6 days. For his sake, the wx being this mild was certainly a Godsend. Too bad he lost the plane to the tide, but he made it back to the house and his family. Too often, that's not the case. Dick

[Dick Smith]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

BAH!.....Humbug! I'm ready for some cold WX and thick ice...look at the gravel under my skis! signed, "07 Mike" dba Dick

[Steve Long]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Cool pic, Dick. Did you digitally alter it? I agree about that warm spell. We now have about a foot of snow at my house and about 8" down at Lake Hood.

I was thinking, last month the FAA put on a pretty cool aviation safety seminar. If you, Jim, or the other guys ever want to fly in for something like that I could provide transporation to and from the airport. they usually have a float flying seminar in the Spring.

How much snow did you get? I'll have to get my skis on soon if it stays cold. Steve.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Steve, there was 4" of ice on the lake this morning...but it is 6 degree F. right now...10 p.m., so there is hope! I saw a comment on the Supercub forum, where someone mentioned "hipboot-deep overflow", over across the inlet toward Rainy Pass...now that's some overflow!
I did use "Paint" program to jazz up the picture...I'm ready for some ski flyin'!
Also, I would be interested in the float safety seminar you mentioned. I sat in on it 2 years ago. A lot of good info and just plain good fellowship.
Dick

[matsuthunder200]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Cool it was 2 deg at 8 am this morning here in wasilla. I also heard that there is some bad overflow on the west side. Like to get a week or two of this weather. Will prob put the skes on next week even if the lakes are not ready. haft to start hauling some fuel up the yetna and to rainy pass the gravel bars have lots of snow on them. Plenty of places to land now.. Shure am getting ansy ready for a andventure.....................

[Dick Smith]

Re: Almost time for skis (alaska)

Alaska Tribe...our ice was at 12 inches yesterday. Should be fine now...Hopefully will be tied down here at the house within a day or so. (Even so, I'll be keeping an eye open for thin ice around creek mouths and springs...there is( UPDATE: "was", as of 3 p.m. Monday!!!) some open water on Arness Lk, next to a beaver lodge just off the NE end of the Arness gravel strip). Dick