Well, we had our first sled break through the ice yesterday. Fortunately the rider is OK.
I have been in contact with the base commander for the US Coast Guard station in Dollar Bay and he would like me to remind everyone to please stay off the "canal" ice between Houghton and Hancock. I will add that the commander is a super nice guy and a snowmobiler himself (first question he asked me was "Where's all the snow!"). He fully understands the situation there and the temptation to cross via the ice and not the bridge, but would just like folks to just keep to the trail that is provided using the lower decking of the bridge. (if you have not read between the lines, this is no Barney Fife here folks, he is super cool guy and one of us)
He did give me a release to post on the site and I have posted it below, but before I do, I would like folks to consider two points before they decide to jump off the trail and onto the ice.
1) As stated in the release, this is a VERY treacherous spot to try and make solid ice. There are some nasty currents, underwater structures and also drainage from the roads in Houghton and Hancock that all contribute to quickly changing ice conditions. So just because there are tracks on the ice put by others before you, does not mean that it is safe when you are looking to cross.
2) Going out there, you do not only put your life at risk, but also the life of anyone that has to come to your rescue.
Here is the release:
The Keweenaw Peninsula is one of the premiere snowmobile destinations in the world. Our well groomed trail system affords snowmobilers the ability to travel between our cities and businesses.
The Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Keweenaw Trails Services, Houghton Police Department, Hancock Police Department, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard are all strongly discouraging snowmobilers from deviating
off the trail system to cut directly across the Portage Canal between Houghton City Waterfront Park and Hancock.
Every year our agencies respond to incidents where machines and their operators break through the ice.
While travelling over ice is common, there are elements that make this crossing particularly dangerous. Water currents, run-off pipes, underwater structures and decaying vegetation all weaken an ice surface. All are present between Houghton MI and Hancock MI. Please stay on the trail and off the ice for your safety.
We look forward to seeing you in town and on the trails for years to come.
For more information on safe operations on ice, go to:
http://www.d9.uscgnews.com/
-John
I have been in contact with the base commander for the US Coast Guard station in Dollar Bay and he would like me to remind everyone to please stay off the "canal" ice between Houghton and Hancock. I will add that the commander is a super nice guy and a snowmobiler himself (first question he asked me was "Where's all the snow!"). He fully understands the situation there and the temptation to cross via the ice and not the bridge, but would just like folks to just keep to the trail that is provided using the lower decking of the bridge. (if you have not read between the lines, this is no Barney Fife here folks, he is super cool guy and one of us)
He did give me a release to post on the site and I have posted it below, but before I do, I would like folks to consider two points before they decide to jump off the trail and onto the ice.
1) As stated in the release, this is a VERY treacherous spot to try and make solid ice. There are some nasty currents, underwater structures and also drainage from the roads in Houghton and Hancock that all contribute to quickly changing ice conditions. So just because there are tracks on the ice put by others before you, does not mean that it is safe when you are looking to cross.
2) Going out there, you do not only put your life at risk, but also the life of anyone that has to come to your rescue.
Here is the release:
The Keweenaw Peninsula is one of the premiere snowmobile destinations in the world. Our well groomed trail system affords snowmobilers the ability to travel between our cities and businesses.
The Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Keweenaw Trails Services, Houghton Police Department, Hancock Police Department, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard are all strongly discouraging snowmobilers from deviating
off the trail system to cut directly across the Portage Canal between Houghton City Waterfront Park and Hancock.
Every year our agencies respond to incidents where machines and their operators break through the ice.
While travelling over ice is common, there are elements that make this crossing particularly dangerous. Water currents, run-off pipes, underwater structures and decaying vegetation all weaken an ice surface. All are present between Houghton MI and Hancock MI. Please stay on the trail and off the ice for your safety.
We look forward to seeing you in town and on the trails for years to come.
For more information on safe operations on ice, go to:
http://www.d9.uscgnews.com/
-John
