Thriving in the Mountains

You wouldn’t head into the Rocky Mountains for a backpacking trip without planning and preparation. You’d get the right gear, learn how to use it, get in shape, and make sure you were ready for whatever the trail threw at you. Winter in the High Country deserves the same level of respect.

A few essentials that make life a whole lot easier:

***Stockpile water. Water to drink, water to wash and water to flush the commode when the pipes freeze. If it gets real cold, let water drip at the faucets to keep from freezing. If plumbing is on an outside wall, open cabinet doors so warm air can get in there. ***

1 Drive something that can handle winter.

Get an AWD or 4WD vehicle. Once you do, you’ll never go back. And get some emergency cables or chains.

2. Equip yourself for traction and safety.

• Keep one or two pairs of ice walkers—one in the car, one at home.

• Carry emergency TIRE chains or cables, and practice putting them on before you need them.

3. Stockpile traction material. Keep pea gravel or fine gravel (“screenings” or “dust”) on hand. Fill a few sandbags for easy hauling and quick use. Hardware stores and online suppliers carry empty bags you can fill yourself.

4. NEVER USE ROCK SALT ON GRAVEL ROAD. Rock salt destroys the road base and creates soft spots you’ll have to rebuild in summer. Use gypsum, fine gravel, sand, or even wood-stove ashes instead.

5. Build a solid home emergency kit.

Have several days’ worth of:

• Non‑perishable food

• Water

• First‑aid supplies

• Charged batteries

• Fire extinguishers

• A snow shovel

• Any other essentials your household relies on

Aim for a 3–7 day buffer.

6. Check your secondary heat source.

Wood stove? Gas fireplace? Make sure it’s functional and ready.

7. Keep prescriptions filled.

Don’t wait until the storm hits.

8. Maintain your generator.

Run it every spring and fall to clear the carburetor, and use fuel stabilizer.(Reference: modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/fuel-treatment-for-generators)

9. Have a solar phone charger.

It’s a small investment that can make a big difference in an outage.

FINALLY, remember this: a crisis is the worst time to start building relationships. Your local community—your actual neighbors—is your most reliable safety net. Flying solo rarely ends well. A thoughtful read: archive.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/4/12/eight-ways-to-be-a-better-neighbor

What am I missing? Feedback is always welcome. Email: hcezshuttle@gmail.com or call 828-414-4969