Frozen

Just like the Disney movie of the same name, much of Lake Superior is 'Frozen.' As of Tuesday, Feb. 11th, it was 87.1% frozen and experts say that due to the brutal winter, it may freeze almost completely over for the first time this century.  A few weeks back, our good friend, Dana, drove up to Ashland, Wisconsin, to visit his daughter, Laura. She's a student at Northland College, which features a curriculum focused on the environment and sustainability. 

They carefully hiked along the shore and spent most of the day exploring the ice caves that are formed by water, wind, and frigid weather. It's been years since winter ice has been thick and secure enough for visitors to walk out to the islands that dot the area. The dramatic wall of ice below is ever-growing and shifting. As more water filters down through the rocks, segments are constantly being created and broken off. 

It's interesting to note that where the "ice falls" meet the frozen lake, there is a horizontal gap of several inches or more.  This gap rises and falls with the movement of the lake, and can be seen at the bottom of the rock formation below.

I also love Laura's cozy warm "Spirit Hood"-style hat, which is perfect for Wisconsin's below-zero windchill!

Photo credits for this post: Dana L. French (c) 2014