Every winter, long after the last guests have departed, a ritual takes place at Rockywold Deephaven Camps — the harvesting of lake ice. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s because it’s off the beaten path, on the shores of Squam Lake in New Hampshire. Luckily, Carl was able to witness & photograph this annual event that upholds tradition & sometimes involves multiple generations.
When the ice becomes eleven or twelve inches thick (usually in late January or February), approximately 200 tons of ice are taken from the lake by a crew that includes many who have done the job for decades by sons, father’s and grandfather’s. The ice will fill the cottage ice boxes in the summer, keeping a live a connection between the camps and the natural environment that surrounds them.
The ice blocks are 16″ x 19″ x ice depth & weigh between 120 and 160 pounds each. An estimated 2800 total blocks are stored in two icehouses, and are insulated by sawdust (enabling them to stay frozen until after the last RDC guest leaves in September).
Who knew?
See more of Carl’s work at http://www.carltremblay.com