Bernie

The mild temperatures and the rain yesterday will be beneficial for travel on Nip. It knocked the snow down and brought up the slush. Once this freezes up it should make for easier going. I wouldn't want to try going through this soup right now. Driving home today on a well traveled ice road.

The picture doesn't do this justice. This is on Nipissing two springs ago. A strong north wind piled this ice high on an island just behind my place. It's at least 20 ft high. I also remember years ago a news report of ice coming up on shore wiping out several houses/cottages. It was amazing the speed it was coming up on shore.

Didn't see anything up here either. Starlit at 11pm last night but nothing glowing.

To this day I have never personally used a sonar on the ice. Fishnsled has been bringing his up the last couple years. Handy for finding the edge of the reef. For fishing pickerel I just use a jig and a minnow hooked to the trailing hook. Works for me.

Yes, that is normal. Especially with no snow on the ice to insulate the noises. Wait until the day it really goes and shakes your feet with a boom. Watched, and felt, a pressure crack form on Nipissing one day as a kid.

Nicely done Brian. Yer a thinkin' man too Good idea on the plate.

I don't think they add a whole lot Vance. Some of those big mud tires they use probably add a lot more. Example; you get into a big mud hole, the tires spinning like crazy and then they hook up on something solid. That is a lot of inertia to hold. Whereas the tracks don't tend to spin like tires, at least the way I drive. My tracks are old school, early editions, but they have been flawless. The newer ones will roll almost as easy as a tire and sit up high giving lots of ground clearance. This clearance is the key to getting through deep snow. It's almost always the belly of a sled or ATV that hangs you up as it keeps the track(s) from traction. O yes, no voided warranty.

One thing I like about my tracks is that it is one machine to maintain rather than two. A machine with a minimum 500cc and good tracks will go through a lot of snow. Probably more than many sleds. A two speed transmission (High/low) is pretty much a must on the lower cc atv's. The way mine are set up I don't believe is any harder on suspension than the tires.

No Brian, driving the pickup this time. Lots of ice. The last few weekends I did take the ATV. The trail I just opened up should freeze. Although it will be a little rough, not much chance of getting stuck.

With the recent cold snap I thought the slush would get frozen, but if anything, it may be worse. There really isn't a lot of snow, about a foot, but it has drifted deeper and heavy in some spots, raising the slush. Trying to get off the beaten trails with anything but a snowmobile or a 4x4 pickup will be looking for trouble. I towed some fellows driving a van out of a snow drift (no snow tires). This is out in front of my place. Took a few elevated RPM's to get through it the first time, but it pushed through OK. Went over it a few times to open it up a little.

Looks like a worm with it's winter fur on. Probably catch a big one with that Joey

When I go to the cottage in the winter, I don't plug in the fridge. The great outdoors works great, put it in a cooler or sealed container. I don't get why food was spoiled?

My dad, early 70's.

Have quite a few oldies.

Yes Art, that's true. But the last thing I want to do with my spare time is fix vehicles. lol It used to be a hobby, but now I need something different to do. Fishing is a good one

Dad runs an inverter 6000 Honda as his backup for the house. He has it hooked into the electrical panel with the proper switching. Pretty much operates everything in the house. Because it's an inverter, the power is clean so it won't mess up electronics. I'd highly recommend it. We have a smaller unit for out huntcamp, again, a Honda. It's also an inverter but a 3000. What is best about the inverter units is that they only run as fast as they need to, doesn't need a specific RPM to get the proper cycles. They are probably the most fuel efficient units available and also likely the quietest of most. Lew I believe has a genny that runs on propane. This can also be an advantage for those that do not get run often enough. Little or no chance of bad fuel. There are likely natural gas units as well.

I like the looks of it. But have learned that just because it looks tough, doesn't necessarily mean it is. I'm with ya on the Jeeps Randy. The new ones are not as tough. Had a 1977 full size Bronco. What a great truck that one was. Love to have a new one with the new engines made today in it. Be a great combination.

You won't find a heli coil to repair that. I am also thinking that water had to be inside the gear case itself in order to push that out. Usually the case cracks as well. Not a good scenario.

Glad you made it through it all Joe. That was really great of Will and Cliff! Good on you fellas! If you need any more cold weather survival tips, come up here for the next few days. lol O ya, did your dog desert you too, or did he stay and keep you warm?

This was back in 1989. My daughter and her friend driving a couple of early 70's. These old sleds were almost bullet proof and surprisingly quick in their day. Had I kept them, they would likely still run.

Great way to start the day Lew Merry Christmas

Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas Brian.

You know Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Heavy snowfall warning up here. Looks like I'll be spending my time today plowing.

Good to see you got away for a fishing trip Wayne. Glad you fellas had some good fishing and some fun.