Solo Trip Over Black Ice to Light 12, Saginaw Bay, Michigan

WARNING: Crossing a large expanse of ice alone as shown in this video involves some risk. Weather can change, equipment can break down and accidents can happen leaving you alone and far from help. ANY ADVENTURE OR EXPEDITION YOU TAKE BASED UPON THIS VIDEO IS STRICTLY AT YOUR OWN RISK. Plan carefully. Use the right equipment. And for a higher margin of safety, travel with a partner.
On February 18, 2022, I took my ATV out for a ride across the 8.25 miles of frozen Saginaw Bay ice with my GPS pointing the way to Light 12, a marine navigational beacon (N43.7323, W83.7825). The wind had blown the ice bare for much of the distance and was actually blowing the ATV sideways a bit during the strong gusts. I brought a drill and a long bit, which I used for testing the ice thickness on the way out. I was very glad to have this because the ice was very dark and looked thin. I am sure I would not have completed the trip without it, seeing the dark ice and not knowing if it was safe. However, I found that it was greater than 11 inches thick everywhere I drilled on the way out to the beacon, so that gave me peace of mind.
It's a short video--just iPhone footage. With the wind chill, my hand would get really cold every time I took off my glove to shoot video and then would take a long time to warm up again.
Thanks for watching, and happy adventuring!

[@kaptkronik135]

balls of steel!

[@ShoalVideoSolutions]

This is so cool

[@bcbg6665]

That's what we call the Spark plug.

[@adventurenomad2331]

I suddenly feel like ice skating

[@BrodyToYou]

Are you a Michigander?

[@rodneybrocke]

I am!

[@xavierschatzle7816]

? ???????

[@rodneybrocke]

! !!!!!!!