Friday and Saturday last week we had some of the warmest February weather i can ever remember. Temps pushing 50 for 2 days. Ice on the lake is thick enough that it could take it but what can and did happen is all the snow melt running into the lake raises the level a few inches. When that happens the main lake ice sheet is just a touch too small for the lake. Throw some high winds in there which we had and the ice gets pushed around a bit and fractures here and there creating open water cracks that can happen anywhere.

So forward to Sunday. I knew there was a high probability of open cracks but not really bothered by it - if you stick to daylight running you can typically find a spot narrow enough to jump or skip across the open water. My machine is 11 foot 6 inches long and based on its ability to basically water ski i am comfortable intentionally crossing open water 10 feet wide. I have crossed significantly wider stretches but those were all "unplanned." So got on the ice at 8 am and planned to ride 15 miles out to a hotspot i was intent on fishing. Over the course of 14.5 miles i crossed 3 open cracks - 2 footer, 4 footer and lastly a 10 footer a 1/2 mile short of my destination. Well in order to skip across you need speed and the wider the crack the more speed you need. I hit the last crack doing about 40 miles an hour and zipped across no problem. The problem though was 100 feet past the crack i hit a bump (didn't even see it) and was still carrying decent speed (just over 30 miles an hour) from the puddle jump. Well i was thrown air born and the machine flipped.

I remember coming off the machine and i remember standing up after i came to rest on the ice. Because of the thaw there was no snow to soften my landing - just hard glare ice. Got up and i was about 50 feet from the flipped machine. No idea how much of that 50 was through the air and was what sliding/tumbling or what angle i hit the ice at but it must have been a favorable angle as no broken bones. Of course being the maniac i am i was solo. Walked back to the machine and somehow managed to flip it back over - Machine weighs 746 lbs dry and i had 15 gallons of fuel in the tank plus the track was loaded with slush and ice. I had the key clipped to my jacket so as soon as i launched the machine shutoff. Positive i was functioning on 100% adrenaline the whole time as i don't know how or even really remember how i flipped that machine back over. Lost half the polycarbonate windshield, ripped some body panels loose, smashed the brake fluid reservoir, twisted the hitch and apparently i make some head contact with the ice as my helmet was missing the visor and was pretty banged up.

Got back on the machine and it started and drove - small win. Went to my planned fishing spot and was starting to unpack the toboggan - it actually never flipped and cover stayed on and everything somehow stayed inside. At that moment the adrenaline wore off and the entire left side of my body was like i don't think so. Also started to get mildly nauseous. Well put the cover back on the toboggan and decided to head back. I wasn't sure if the machine was okay to make it and i felt like %^&* so figured better head now with lots of light in case i need help instead of waiting until an hour before dark and ending up stranded 15 miles out in the dark. Had to cross the same 3 cracks on my way out but machine held up and gave the speed i needed for the crossings. Made it back to the cottage just before noon poured myself a double fixed up a bowl of stew and went back to bed.

Between adrenaline and probably a bit of shock didn't take photos of the fiasco until i was back at the cottage. Sometimes mother nature says you lose and Sunday was one of those days. Couple pics after the fact:

The new windshield:



The adrenaline/shock half azzed repair of body panels:

Glad you're okay, sounds like it could have been worse.

Dang, sir. Glad you made it ok. I'm sure it was a trip!

Glad you were no worse for the wear and made it back safely….

Smart play packing up and heading back when you started feeling the fallout from your crash.
Good to hear that there was no serious damage to you so far, sometimes it takes a couple of days before you feel the other side effects from it.

Stay healthy and keep sharing your adventures!

Glad your okay. Some one was watching over you.
Only been on the ice 3 times this year.
Early Dec. walked out on 3" of ice.
Their was open water in some areas.
Next day open water.
Mid Jan we had roughly over 7 days of cold weather.
High was -1° . So ice was thick enough ta drive on.
Have ta know the lake, natural springs. Ice is thinner.
Theirs been few trucks go threw. Every one was safe.
Last time went. Ice was only 5ta6" so pulled sleds .
Right were i set up, their was about 1" deep of water
Half foot by 3ft.. next day around shore. Slush,
oldest bro walked out aways with bar ta check ice.
Not good for fishing. Back in younger days, we would throw a
10' 2x8 from shore ta get on ice.

Stay Safe, glad ta hear you made it off ice.
Enjoy your threads.

wow that was an adventure

glad you’re ok

Holy smokes! Glad you're ok. The Wicked Witch always gets her due at some point.

I am sure a day on the ice like that makes your record setting trip you had with your son earlier in the season so much sweeter!

Glad you're OK. I enjoy your ice fishing tales.

Glad everything worked out. Being from Texas and never being on the ice, especially 15 miles away from the start point I find it fascinating that your trip to fish involved a 15-mile trip on ice that you occasionally ski across open water and as long as it is only10-15 ft wide your ok with it!! Just a different normal!

Wow!!

Glad your ok!

That is way too close of a call, especially being my yourself. Glad your machine cranked up and ran well enough to get you off the ice.

Exactly what I was thinking... Glad you're OK.

You are one tough guy to get out of that situation! Glad you made it OK.

Thanks for the kind words guys. As it turns out even with the helmet on i knocked my noggin pretty good - have to but a new helmet next week. Concussed apparently. Taking it easy this week, no real pain or anything but can't focus very well and lose my train of thought pretty easy (well easier than before). Hopefully cold locks things back up. Planning to hit the lake again Feb 23,24 but going to stay in closer and will be using my wife's sled LOL.

X2

Stay Safe.. Enjoy your threads.