On thin ice. The very words convey a sense of danger, or at least of dangerous uncertainty. “He’s really on thin ice out there,” we whisper whenever someone grabs at a long chance, and then we wait—smugly or apprehensively—for the Craack! that we’re certain will follow. Of course this commonplace expression has its basis in cold fact. The danger is real. Plunging without warning into frigid water, far from shore and help, isn’t exactly a recipe for longevity, particularly if the water is moving. To be swept under the ice by a strong current is the stuff of nightmares, after all.

If you’re a cross-country skier, a snowshoer, or a winter angler, chances are that at some point you’ll be tempted to head out onto the ice. Perhaps you’ll want to walk over a frozen stream that’s too wide to jump across, or maybe you’d like to avoid a long detour around the narrow arm of a lake. The ice looks solid enough, you say. Animal tracks crisscross the ice, and it’s been very cold at night, after all. You convince yourself that it won’t take long to cross, and that nothing will go wrong. You take a tentative step. Then another. Soon you’re five feet off solid ground. Then a bit more, then…

 

 
Before you commit to a hard water crossing, it makes sense to review what it takes to safely cross ice. Begin by reading “Is It Safe?” and move on to “Stepping Out—Keeping the Odds on Your Side.” And though none of us likes thinking about how the worst can happen, it’s better to be prepared than not. So, read “Breaking Through and Moving On—Self-Rescue and More.” Because You Never Know.

 
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