LDA is no longer viable with Ghost having better conditions. These deteriorated somewhat in the last few days with patches of nice ice mixed with drifts and ugly weeps unavoidable with a kite. Cochrane is mostly wind packed snow drifts and some ice showing. Chester has been excellent up to a few days ago when ferocious wind blew most of the snow off so as of today (light wind but kitable) it is 80% firm snow, wind packed into low drifts and 20% ice - rougher over the weeps. Generally lakes and slews with less wind, E of Hwy.2 are predominantly snow with ice patches. W lakes are mostly ice with a lot of drifts. Red Deer lake was unusable last season because of vegetation and I don’t expect anything different this season.

Thanks for the update. See you out there!

Thanks Prussik,

Can you ( or Canuck ) explain what you mean about vegetation ruining Red Deer lake? Not enough snow and too many bull rushes?

Looks like I will not get home to Calgary this Christmas .

Cattails and bull rushes completely and densely covered the N half of the lake the last time I checked a few weeks ago. It happens periodically some years. It was a convenient spot but there are many other options.

Quote: Originally posted by Prussik

Cattails and bull rushes completely and densely covered the N half of the lake the last time I checked a few weeks ago. It happens periodically some years. It was a convenient spot but there are many other options.

I had a bad experience with kite lines and cattails once I try to stay far away from them buggers now Cattail fluff is serious business

Made it out to Chestermere and Weed lake this afternoon. Not a breath of wind :sniff: but at least I know what to expect before the snowstorm next Monday & Tuesday. Here is what Chestermere looks like from Sunset Beach, and Weed Lake from the Ducks Unlimited property at the west end of Township Road 240

Prussik,

When I go home to Calgary I usually stay at Lake Midnapore. Sounds like you know of other spots on the south side ? I will not be home this Christmas but can you tell me of other good spots ? How about in summer and dry land ?

I always mix up the names at Chestermere. Is Sunset the launch beside the mailboxes or further down south?
I was out there by the mailboxes yesterday (no wind) trying out some new ice screws... the ice was crappy and cracked/crumbled pretty bad when the screws went in... could see pockets of liquid water and air moving around. Decent thickness though, over 4", upcoming deep freeze should solidify conditions for the winter.

I have my Ham licence and have considered putting up a WX weather station at Chestermere to help with the no wind issue. For those that don't know about it, you can check wind/temp conditions at Nose Hill and a few other random spots on http://aprs.fi which is a free service run by hams. Click the blue WX icons. Wonder who I could approach at Chestermere to make it happen?

Edit: looks like the anemometer at NH is jammed...

rectifier posted

Quote:

I always mix up the names at Chestermere. Is Sunset the launch beside the mailboxes or further down south?

Yes, Sunset is the launch on the east shore beside the mailboxes and 2 porta potties. Ice is 6-8", someone had augered a hole close to where I drilled so I thought it might have been you

Made it to Chestermere for the first time since the blizzard. Not enough wind to get anything in the air but check out the wild "terrain"!

The lake is covered in drifts by Sunset and they are pretty firm and carved into some wild shapes to catch unexpecting skis. Pockets in the pic are 6-10" deep. Not sure what riding on them is like but if it's windy tomorrow... gonna find out!

I came across a crack a good 6" deep and no water welling up through it... No wet snow to be seen, ice is hard and smooth under the snow... I think we are good to go for the season