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MNLindsey80	01/23/2017 08:13PM   SO MUCH SLUSH right now...... Called several people in the north - regarding ice conditions and both Ely and Gunflint say its a SLUSHY MESS right now with the ridiculously warm temps. 40 degreess in Ely today!!!! Trucks aren't out plowing ice roads on Snowbank because the slush is WAY TOO DEEP (6-8 inches).... Only snowmobiles are getting by. I have a few contingent plans if the ice remains the way it is. Anyone else have any live experience or just an experience with slush? I'm thinking 8 inches of slush would be HELL.... There is no way I'm putting me and my team at that kind of risk. Maybe I'm overly cautious. The locals remain cautiously optimistic however in the coming weeks that the slush will turn to GORGEOUS black hard ice!
DanCooke	01/24/2017 12:10PM   If the slush- wetted snow extends to the surface it will freeze solid- if not it takes weeks to freeze- sometimes never freezes. Skiing on bare ice is dangerous! No purchase left to right or front to back- better of finding snow that has adhesion to the ice. Living year round on the Gunflint Trail and many other years with winter trips , I have seen many different presentations of slush. you just alter your ways when you encounter it to accommodate conditions.
jwartman59	01/24/2017 01:02PM   slush sucks bad. standing water on ice is worse.
Banksiana	01/24/2017 03:57PM   Though.... Some of the fastest skiing (skate) I've ever experienced involved standing water. Most slush in mid-winter is caused by the weight of snow forcing water up through the ice, the layer of snow above the slush insulates it and prevents it from freezing- this can last for weeks given the right weather conditions. The current condition is caused by thaw and melt from above, this water/slush should drain through the ice once temps stop the melt.
Banksiana	01/28/2017 09:13PM   It appears most of the lakes have crusted over in the Ely area. Friends telling me they are skate skiing the lakes.
MNLindsey80	01/24/2017 06:37PM   quote DanCooke: Skiing on bare ice is dangerous! No purchase left to right or front to back- better of finding snow that has adhesion to the ice.. " Oh I know this from experience. No - we're snowshoeing.
clinegc	02/14/2017 12:22PM   How is the slush now?
flopnfolds	01/25/2017 10:49AM   quote Banksiana: "Though.... Some of the fastest skiing (skate) I've ever experienced involved standing water. Most slush in mid-winter is caused by the weight of snow forcing water up through the ice, the layer of snow above the slush insulates it and prevents it from freezing- this can last for weeks given the right weather conditions. The current condition is caused by thaw and melt from above, this water/slush should drain through the ice once temps stop the melt." I don't know that I would trust my skate skiing technique to ski in a giant puddle. I could just imagine it, I would be going along fine and than start to worry about my technique and get my pole hooked by my ski tip and faceplant into water!
nicek	02/14/2017 05:30PM   Back from Tuscarora yesterday. Perfect snow conditions. No slush. Breaking the trail was a workout. Temps are rising , so you never know.
clinegc	02/14/2017 06:43PM   Temps are rising. That is what concerns me. Above freezing and into the 40's for a string of days starting Friday. Was planning on going in on Friday.
MNLindsey80	02/18/2017 07:36PM   Just went in. Thursday - conditions were perfect out of Ely (Snowbank Lake area). About 8-10 inches of powdery snow on top of the ice. That all changed on Friday with the warm temps. VERY very sticky! We actually pulled out early b/c of this. Slush starting to form with the melting snow. Hiked out to Hegman on a daytrip today, granted that is snow packed to the hilts - when you steeped out of the snowpack, it was quite moist.
fsupp	01/30/2017 01:29PM   quote Banksiana: "It appears most of the lakes have crusted over in the Ely area. Friends telling me they are skate skiing the lakes." Just returned from 4 days on Sawbill. Perfect conditions - no slush.
MNLindsey80	01/30/2017 07:56PM   This is the best news Banksiana, and Fsupp. Hopefully this great ice travel you speak up holds up just a little bit longer. I'm getting pretty pumped about our trip(s) now.
landoftheskytintedwater	02/17/2017 01:26PM   Planning to go in next Saturday (25th...). Next 5 days aren't looking good.
Pinetree	02/01/2017 10:06PM   Have a great adventure.
fsupp	02/01/2017 03:00PM   quote MNLindsey80: "This is the best news Banksiana, and Fsupp. Hopefully this great ice travel you speak up holds up just a little bit longer. I'm getting pretty pumped about our trip(s) now." I hope the conditions hold for your trips. Happy (and safe) travels!
bigmitch1	01/26/2017 09:05AM   quote flopnfolds: "quote Banksiana: "Though.... Some of the fastest skiing (skate) I've ever experienced involved standing water. Most slush in mid-winter is caused by the weight of snow forcing water up through the ice, the layer of snow above the slush insulates it and prevents it from freezing- this can last for weeks given the right weather conditions. The current condition is caused by thaw and melt from above, this water/slush should drain through the ice once temps stop the melt." I don't know that I would trust my skate skiing technique to ski in a giant puddle. I could just imagine it, I would be going along fine and than start to worry about my technique and get my pole hooked by my ski tip and faceplant into water!" Breakable crust is more fun! You cruise along just fine, break through, and face plant.
RainGearRight	02/18/2017 09:26AM   We have a trip to Seagull planned for March 9th. Forecast looms crazy warm until the middle of the week and then a cooldown. I sure hope Feburary shows back up and hardens up everything. Pulling sleds across seagulls through slush doesn't sound like much fun.
Pinetree	02/18/2017 09:51AM   One thing this warm weather might do is put a good crust on top of the snow so your sleds ride on top. My biggest worry if you have a lot of snow on the ice and this warm weather water starts seeping up. You never know in March but either way I never had a bad trip in March. I did have one trip we had a wet snow come down and we did not have a waterproof top or coat and we got soaked. Some trips now I may throw in a light rain coat. It is so beautiful up there in March-just enjoy.
TuscaroraBorealis	02/22/2017 07:33PM   This is what Mayhew Lake (half way up the Gunflint Trail) looked like yesterday afternoon.
Pinetree	02/22/2017 09:36PM   That looks nice and wet like many lakes are now. Thanks for the photo.
WhiteWolf	01/28/2017 12:48AM   quote MNLindsey80: "quote DanCooke: Skiing on bare ice is dangerous! No purchase left to right or front to back- better of finding snow that has adhesion to the ice.. " Oh I know this from experience. No - we're snowshoeing." If your snowshoeing through slush-- be prepared in the worst slush for snowshoes to accumulate some serious weight-- esp if it's below freezing. Design of the snowshoe might help. Have been on several winter trips were we took off snowshoes and just booted in deep slush even getting wet feet to make better time....
MNLindsey80	01/28/2017 04:55PM   quote WhiteWolf: "quote MNLindsey80: "quote DanCooke: Skiing on bare ice is dangerous! No purchase left to right or front to back- better of finding snow that has adhesion to the ice.. " Oh I know this from experience. No - we're snowshoeing." If your snowshoeing through slush-- be prepared in the worst slush for snowshoes to accumulate some serious weight-- esp if it's below freezing. Design of the snowshoe might help. Have been on several winter trips were we took off snowshoes and just booted in deep slush even getting wet feet to make better time.... " Thanks for the tip!