“When the sunpasses through the
iceand you lookupand see the
reflections changing
—
it looks like
theArctic.”
The setup involves running a line from the shore to a fixedpoint 15-20metres down, parallel to
the shore so the crew can always use the rope as a point of reference. Aharness is an absolutemust.
Jerzy also touts the importance of an ice-diving certification, andmonitoringweather conditions.
“The problem is thewind…During the dive, youhave towatch the openings in the ice, because
suddenly they’ll close above you.”
It’s easy to convince yourself the cons outweigh the pros of slipping into the Sweetwater Sea in
winter, but Jerzy sums it upwell. Ifwe sat everythingout because of a few risks, wherewould
humankindbe? “When the sunpasses through the ice and you lookup and see the reflections
changing
—
it looks like theArctic.We’re
lucky
tohave these conditions.”
I’ll take yourword for it, Jerzy.
Check outmore of JerzyKowalczuk’s work at
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MOUNTAINLIFEONTARIO
WINTER2016
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