Luc Mehl is an out of doors educator and ice security and rescue teacher in Alaska, and final yr, he and his group had the uncommon alternative to skate on some wild ice that was so clear it was like gliding atop glass. This magical “ice window” supplied skaters a glimpse into the crystal-clear waters of Rabbit Lake—an alpine lake in Alaska’s Chugach State Park.
Mehl gave Reuters an interview about his expertise, explaining that a number of components created these good circumstances. As an example, he says that in 2023 once they took this footage, Alaska had “an unusually chilly and dry transition to winter,” and snow wasn’t protecting the bottom when the lake froze over.
In a Fb put up resharing his video clip, Mehl shared some suggestions for staying secure whereas skating on wild ice. He says it’s necessary to check the ice’s thickness and energy alongside a small lake’s perimeter earlier than going towards the middle. He additionally encourages folks to hold security gear like ice picks, throw ropes, spare clothes, and ice probes.
Within the case of the uncommon ice window of 2023, Mehl says the ice was 3-4 inches thick and that his group was skilled in ice-rescue situations. He additionally calls it a “magical” and once-in-a-lifetime expertise that he by no means expects to have the ability to recreate.
See Mehl’s put up’s in regards to the ice window he skilled in Alaska right here:
See the complete video and an interview with Mehl right here: