Ice Dust?

Over the past couple years I've noticed that there will sometimes be an odd dust on the top of the ice. I've seen it as white or almost like fine sawdust and it will get on your jacket. I've seen this on different climbs in different areas. So anyone know what this is and where it comes from?

Ice fairies (shhh... they don't like to be bragged about).

Could be 'diamond dust'. When it is cold enough to form diamond dust, you will probably see 'sun dogs' also.

Sounds like condensation that's freezing on the ice overnight. Or fairies.

Diamond dust may be it, just looked that up. Can that be off white-brownish at times? It never really seemed to me like condensation but next time I come across it I'll have to pay more attention.

I would guess calcium if it's farmed ice from drinking water. *shrug*

KevinCO wrote:Could be 'diamond dust'. When it is cold enough to form diamond dust, you will probably see 'sun dogs' also.

Sounds like snow to me.

Surface hoar if you want the technical term.

Grit, sediment, and minerals that percolate out as the ice forms.

Surface whore , i thought thats what you call a girl who surfaces after giving you a bj in a hot tub ?

Its the devils dandruff

Snipe shit...

I've noticed the white powder while ice climbing. I think it's probably minerals from the water. When water freezes, the minerals precipitate out as solids. When the ice melts or sublimates, the minerals are left behind.

ColinM wrote:I've noticed the white powder while ice climbing. I think it's probably minerals from the water. When water freezes, the minerals precipitate out as solids. When the ice melts or sublimates, the minerals are left behind.

no recent Colombian plane crashes?

ColinM wrote:I've noticed the white powder while ice climbing. I think it's probably minerals from the water. When water freezes, the minerals precipitate out as solids. When the ice melts or sublimates, the minerals are left behind.