Wild Ice

A historically dry start to last Winter had mountain towns in the West up in arms. But not me, I reveled in it. I even prayed to Ullr to keep the snow away, to keep it from ruining the ice. Sacrilegious, I know. I can't believe I just told you that.

I'd love to tell the story of my season on wild ice, exploring the unknown frozen world. The wildest ice in Wyoming. Partly a "How to" guide to this weird sport. Hopefully an inspiration to break norms and explore. And an ode to my younger years. The lakes on which I learned these skills no longer freeze, but I carry their spirit with me.

John skates a pressure ridge on a lake in the Wind River Range, Wyoming.

It started with a desire to live in the present, embrace the weather, or lack thereof. The forecast continued to look dry and so we ventured further, discovered new lakes, frozen worlds. But is it cold enough? Sturdy enough? Will the snow bury it? Each lake has a magic formula for when it will freeze. Then there is an undetermined weather window until the ice is ruined and buried. A lake might have a one day window, no window. The window was unusually long in Jackson Hole this season.

There were some close calls breaking through the ice and some lessons learned: never ice skate with dogs, never! And if you see a beaver, go thank it. I will not share the magic lake freezing formula though, that’s top secret.

This is glassy ice, trophy Ice, or the parmigiano reggiano as I call it, I'll explain that later. What dreams are made of.

Kyra bundles up at sunrise and brushes off her figure skating skills on a river bend, Wyoming.

The hunt for wild ice.

Old Wrinkly Ice: the temperature variance pulls moisture out of the ice and creates a surface hoar. Where snow science meets the ice world.

Tom skates through the beaver pond, a frozen obstacle course.

Kaya and Vanessa dance with their shadows.

Don't bring dogs!

Kaya performing a rock stability test.

Thanks for reading this far. I'd love to collaborate!