I’ll be happy to update it as new ideas come forth.
Last updated: December 13, 2010
Must have:
1.Floater Suit, or life vest (There are some great inflatable’s out there now)
2.Cleats for your boots
3.Ice Pics – can be commercial type designed to hang around your neck or can be home made . Also can be hand glove grips or “ice claws”. Take an old pair of ice cleats and stud them into a pair of work gloves you can wear around your waist.
4.extra pair of socks/gloves
5.hand and foot warmers
6.A little back up dried packaged food or granola type bars
7.Spud bar
8.Weather and Winds report for the day
9.Compass
10.Flashlight
11.Leave information with friends or family of where you’ll be and when you plan to be back (or at least off the ice)
12.headlamp that clips to hat
13.small first aid kit
Nice to have:
1.Thermos of hot beverage (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate)
2.Spare batteries for your electronics
3.Zip lock Freezer Bag(s) for your electronics and other items that shouldn’t get wet
4.Cell Phone
5.GPS
6.handheld walkie talkie
7.Duct Tape, bungee cords
8.Portable shelter if not going to a permanent hut
9.Heat source (there are many types of propane heaters that use the small green bottles)
10.Sleds/buckets/whatever to organize and carry your stuff.
If you’re on a vehicle or snowmobile:
1.floater rope, or a "throw bag" It is 70 ft of 3/4 floating rope in a bag. Make sure the length is suitable to the depths of water you’ll be on.
2.Tow Rope
3.12 volt power cords for your electronics if you have a means to plug items into a 12volt source such as on most ATV’s. Consider a small power inverter or battery booster type power pack as well if you have the space.
Ice thickness guidelines:
Remember that ice is never uniformly thick along your travels!
Playing it Safe