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What do you do when trapped in snow
- Thread starter murps
- Start date
Advocate II
First of all, anyone traveling in the snow belt in the winter should have some basics in their car:
Keep trying with any communication gear you have, your phone might not have service right now, but keep trying. Get out of the car as often as you need to keep it clear. Turn on all your lights, brush the car off, set road flares, whatever you need to do so you don't look like a snowbank - when plows do come through you don't want to get hit by one.
I usually prepare my recovery gear. I get my tow strap hooked up and ready to go, maybe tuck it into the trunk so it doesn't get buried in snow and ice. This way if someone who isn't a tow truck comes along I can get rescued using my own gear. If you have traction mats or other specialized gear, you might as well include it in your vehicle if you know you will be out in the storm.
Most importantly, tell someone where you are, where you are going, the route you are taking, and your ETA. Have them call Highway Patrol if you miss your scheduled check-in and can't be reached.
- Blankets
- Warm clothing
- No less than 1/2 a tank of fuel at any time and always fill up if you know a storm if coming. I will top up my tank before a storm hits even if I've only driven 30 miles or so.
- Cell phone charger
- Emergency food and either water or a water bottle to melt snow
- CB Radio
- Ham radio (x2)
- Road flares
- Emergency flare launcher (available at any boating store)
- Fire starter
- Tarp
- Recovery gear
Keep trying with any communication gear you have, your phone might not have service right now, but keep trying. Get out of the car as often as you need to keep it clear. Turn on all your lights, brush the car off, set road flares, whatever you need to do so you don't look like a snowbank - when plows do come through you don't want to get hit by one.
I usually prepare my recovery gear. I get my tow strap hooked up and ready to go, maybe tuck it into the trunk so it doesn't get buried in snow and ice. This way if someone who isn't a tow truck comes along I can get rescued using my own gear. If you have traction mats or other specialized gear, you might as well include it in your vehicle if you know you will be out in the storm.
Most importantly, tell someone where you are, where you are going, the route you are taking, and your ETA. Have them call Highway Patrol if you miss your scheduled check-in and can't be reached.
Influencer II
^Agree with both of them... However, in Indiana there isn't many places that you could trapped for more than an hour at most... Hell, you could walk because there is hardly anywhere that would be beyond walking distance near me.
Advocate II
Awesome advice guys. Gonna be going up to Lake Tahoe in Feb and i will be going through mammoth area. Both Mammoth and Tahoe have been dumped on with snow this season. All good info. Not sure my gf would trust me with flares though @TreXTerra lol
Advocate II
A bag of Kitty litter, a shovel and possibly a set of chains or cables will get you out of most situations.
Member II
I would second the kitty litter. Can dump that under the tires after you've shoveled them out. Works pretty well from what I've heard.
Advocate II
If I'm not mistaken a stranded in snow situation is what started Overland Bound.
On a personal experience note, once used my carhartt coat under tire to get my '84 xj and myself out of a ditch in snow when I slid off the road in middle of night snow storm on way home from college. Can't for the life of me remember why I thought leaving in middle of night in a snow storm to head home was a good idea but I still wear that coat with tire tread marks up the back with pride.
On a personal experience note, once used my carhartt coat under tire to get my '84 xj and myself out of a ditch in snow when I slid off the road in middle of night snow storm on way home from college. Can't for the life of me remember why I thought leaving in middle of night in a snow storm to head home was a good idea but I still wear that coat with tire tread marks up the back with pride.
Advocate II
Noted on the Kitty Litter. I am hoping the chains will be all I need but I want to be prepared for the worst. I've never driven in snow like this before so it will be an experience.
@jkxranger good call, i'll do that.
Advocate II
Yes, i do believe you are right. @administrator was driving a bmw, thankfully i'll have my Patriot, should hopefully be a little more snow worthy
Benefactor
@dmurph1996 Yup, and in the Beemer...you pray. :p
Advocate II
I will add a bible to the list too then lol.
Influencer II
Good points already posted.... one thing I would add... ensure your exhaust pipe is free of obstructions (snow). If you slide into a large snowbank or into the ditch it may get plugged up.
Those slow burning, relatively smokeless emergency candles can be a lifesaver too. I would also crack the window on the side that the wind is not blowing into for fresh air.
One person mentioned a ribbon... it's not a bad idea to keep a whole roll of flagging tape in your glove box for emergencies. This is handy in the bush too if you get lost - run a bunch of strands in a tree for a possible rescue plane to see you.
Those slow burning, relatively smokeless emergency candles can be a lifesaver too. I would also crack the window on the side that the wind is not blowing into for fresh air.
One person mentioned a ribbon... it's not a bad idea to keep a whole roll of flagging tape in your glove box for emergencies. This is handy in the bush too if you get lost - run a bunch of strands in a tree for a possible rescue plane to see you.
Influencer II
I always keep waterproof gloves in my truck during the winter. Clearing snow always leds to wet/soaked gloves which can cause frostbite. The windshield defogger works decently for drying thin gloves, snow gloves not so much. Pay attention to your footing when outside the vehicle. Snow drifts can be deceiving and hiding objects such as rocks, fire hydrants, etc. it's no fun to step on a snow bank and wind up stuck, injured or both.
20DYNAMITE07
Rank IV
Pathfinder I
If you can... get a bag of sand instead. When it gets wet, kitty litter turns to clay, clogs your tread, and doesn't do much for you other than leave your rig with a lovely fresh scent
. Sand on the other hand will give you some traction, and wont gum up the works. Just my $.02
Influencer II
Does that go for the non-clumping style of kitty litter too? (not a cat person so I have no clue)If you can... get a bag of sand instead. When it gets wet, kitty litter turns to clay, clogs your tread, and doesn't do much for you other than leave your rig with a lovely fresh scent
Just my $.02
Influencer III
I like to bring friends with shovels to dig me out seems to work pretty good. [emoji41]
Sent from my LGMS631 using Overland Bound Talk mobile app
Sent from my LGMS631 using Overland Bound Talk mobile app
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expeditionnorth
Guest
I almost got stuck here
extra straps, snatch block etc are handy to have though you may complain about carrying them all the time
better to have & not need, than to need & not have
extra straps, snatch block etc are handy to have though you may complain about carrying them all the time
better to have & not need, than to need & not have
