Snow Blindness
03-24-2007 | 11:46 AM
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From: New London, MN
Snow Blindness
Had something happen to me the other day that has never happened. I knew better I guess but laziness almost cost me a plane.
The Setting---
Gorgeous sunny Spring day in Minnesota with temps in the 50s, winds calm - perfect day to fly. Still had about 12" of ice on the lake so I decided to have one last fly on the 'perfect runway' before it was gone. I was in such a hurry to get out there that I left my sunglasses at home. Big mistake.
Taking off was fine but once it got in the air, with the white clouds and white snow and shiny melting ice it was not long before I found myself squinting making it hard to see. Eyes started tearing up and within just moments I could no longer open one eye and had to just open the other briefly at a time. Even though it was not any brighter out than a good sunny day, it was like a spotlight was shining right into face. It was a bizzare feeling.
Had I been flying with someone else I could have at least handed the Tx over. I did manage to get the plane down between one-eyed blinks and laughing at the rediculousness of it all. It was only very temporary and not actually 'snow blindness' but it was none the less debilitating for a few minutes and could have ended up much worse.
Moral of the story: Preparation also includes eyewear.
The Setting---
Gorgeous sunny Spring day in Minnesota with temps in the 50s, winds calm - perfect day to fly. Still had about 12" of ice on the lake so I decided to have one last fly on the 'perfect runway' before it was gone. I was in such a hurry to get out there that I left my sunglasses at home. Big mistake.
Taking off was fine but once it got in the air, with the white clouds and white snow and shiny melting ice it was not long before I found myself squinting making it hard to see. Eyes started tearing up and within just moments I could no longer open one eye and had to just open the other briefly at a time. Even though it was not any brighter out than a good sunny day, it was like a spotlight was shining right into face. It was a bizzare feeling.
Had I been flying with someone else I could have at least handed the Tx over. I did manage to get the plane down between one-eyed blinks and laughing at the rediculousness of it all. It was only very temporary and not actually 'snow blindness' but it was none the less debilitating for a few minutes and could have ended up much worse.
Moral of the story: Preparation also includes eyewear.
03-24-2007 | 11:51 AM
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From: Johns Creek,
GA
RE: Snow Blindness
i have been involved in winter mountaineering for years... with climbs of Rainer, Denali (2) and most of the Colorado 14ers in the winter under my belt... luckily I have never experienced snow blindness, but I have witnessed it first hand...
the most graphic description given to me is take hot coals and broken glass and grind it in your eyes... for a couple days... and it is sort of like that!...
Glad it worked out OK!!
the most graphic description given to me is take hot coals and broken glass and grind it in your eyes... for a couple days... and it is sort of like that!...
Glad it worked out OK!!
03-24-2007 | 01:22 PM
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From: The Louisiana Purchase
RE: Snow Blindness
Guess you were flying your eyes out eh?
Ive been a skier all my life and frome NH and lived in Alaska and the whole winter thing and never got it. I also had a friend who doesn't do much winter and went skiing (or tried too) and got snow blindness. Maybe those who live in the general type areas get accustomed to it?
Ive been a skier all my life and frome NH and lived in Alaska and the whole winter thing and never got it. I also had a friend who doesn't do much winter and went skiing (or tried too) and got snow blindness. Maybe those who live in the general type areas get accustomed to it?
