Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

Wintering aboard the 38-ft schooner *Arabella* in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, requires active ice management to protect the hull. To prevent moving ice sheets from grinding against the vessel, the crew tethers a waterlogged log to the dock to serve as a floating fender.2:52 They also deploy a one-horsepower impeller-driven de-icer, or "bubbler," to circulate warmer deep water to the surface, maintaining a clear pocket of water around the hull.3:24 The crew operates the de-icer for several hours daily rather than continuously to manage ice buildup.4:07

When not maintaining the boat, the crew ice climbs at local sites, including Bottle Cove.5:04 They utilize V-thread anchors for rappelling, emphasizing the importance of long screws for backups and tying knots in the ends of ropes to prevent rappelling off the line.11:49 For top-roping, they use a dog-eared figure-eight knot on cordlets to create equalized, independent anchor loops tied to trees.17:43 They prioritize safety by using autoblock backups and extending belay devices to maintain control while wearing gloves.10:05

More from Acorn To Arabella

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