going through the ice

[Neil]

I've seen it where a second ice crust forms on top of the slush layer. If you break through that ice you land in the slush and hope the second layer holds.

I think this picture exemplifies what you are referring to. We walked upon the porous upper layer and as the spring sun heated it up we broke through into ankle deep water upon a layer of solid ice.

 

[erugs]

There was a pond way up in the woods over the hill from my house when I was growing up and as a tomboy one of my favorite things to do was explore the area. I especially liked spring when the pond was thawing. I used to jump from the shore, over the open water along the edge and make my way across the deep slush over the ice. What an adventure! I wonder, am I still alive? And if so, why?