how's the ice

[West Basin]

Walked today (Saturday) from Catawba State Park to Miller Ferry dock at South Bass Island to Catawba Point / Miller Ferry dock. Good ice all the way, fisherman just a mile and a half or so out of Catawba State park measured around 19" of ice. It did get a little slushy in the late afternoon, soft snow and slushy spots. I image much of that will refreeze tonight, but with barely under freezing temps tonight and highs again Sunday in the mid to upper 30's there will probably be lots of slushy spots by afternoon.
Fisherman told me that after the southwest wind came up they heard a big low bang and the ice shuttered. A small subversion crack happened about halfway between Catawba Point and South Bass. No open water, the crack ridge is only about 6-18 inches high and appeared stable. Didn't look like the lower ice sheet submerged very far.
Won't be walking that far again - it almost completely wore me out! Didn't plan it that way, one thing lead to another...