still posting along, notes from this winter...

Hi again, wanted to continue in the series from where I left off.  I spent some quality time at camp in March and April, with opportunities to spend some good moments on frozen Lake Superior.  It's unusual for ice to form in Jackfish Bay, but this winter's deep freeze (much like the winter before) provided extensive ice cover across much of Lake Superior.  I expect two things to happen because of this; lake water will remain colder throughout the summer, and also water levels will remain relatively high as the lake did not have the opportunity to evaporate at all over the winter months.

This picture is from late February 2015,  http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.php?region=s
It really shows the full extent of ice coverage.  I'm starting to wonder if extreme winters with full ice coverage is part of the Lake Superior regional response to global climate change.  That said, a full 'el nino' with warm weather is predicted for winter 2016.  It really was a bitterly cold winter again.






This is how it all appeared from camp.  It froze over early so the ice is relatively flat right from shore. On years where it freezes late, large ice hummocks appear on shore instead.  The first time I travelled out on the ice, the snow was quite deep, about 1.5 feet, tough slogging with skis and a sled.

We also went in as a family with good friend Esme, and the girls took time to create their own version of "Jackfish Clue".  I have to admit I enjoyed the game more than the original.  

Perhaps the best fun was in exploring ice caves and spending time on the froze lake.  We took the opportunity on a cold march day to walk around St. Patricks Island.

Stay tuned for part III in the series...