Yay, winter is here ❄️ skiing and cold water 🌊 plunges

Ok it is snowing, over a foot of snow and my wish to get out and get some skiing done came true!!! Loving this new activity as an alternate to jogging. Today was also the first day I had to walk through ice to get into the same as the rim of the surface of the lake has turned into thin ice, likely due to all the snowfall. I took things a little safe today as the capillary response was noticable again so I think the lake is a little cooler than at the reading site, just not sure how much.. I am thinking the shallower water walking in is a little colder. Still totally bearable but much taking it safe in not staying in until I get use to this ice water experience going in and particularly out as my feet are fully going into snow until I get my boots on. In fact I think I may bring water slippers tomorrow so that my feet arn't kept in contact with with the snow. Still overall feeling good and comfortable. Had a chat after getting out today with someone smoking a joint. Probably thought he was tripping a bit since people going into and out of the water is probably a double take for him. AND there are geese, many geese in the water. I definately felt my hands struggling to stay warm in the water. Again the main barrier is knowing that need to get out and get dressed and get shoes on, particularly the shoes. Also as the temperature drops I think I will need to time for 4celcius or 40f water temps to be safe rather than the lake temperature reading. Almost worth bringing a thermometer but the water temp is so various from the shore only really helpful if I bring the thermometer in with me. Still lake water is generally about 4c if it freezes over. No cold water breathing today as it is just insuring that you get control of that first and second breaths and control your breathing. IMO the main issue right now is insuring that exit from the water remains safe.