Today’s post is a reminder for anyone coming to visit their homes or lands within the ranch.
Regardless of time of year, bring shoes, hats, gloves, or appropriate clothing to walk from the gate to your property. These roads eat tires in summer, and can be heavily snow laden at times, so you should be prepared for emergencies. Every time you lock the gate you should ask yourself, “Am I prepared to walk in, or walk back out?” If the answer is no, get what you lack, and try again.
You should always bring food in with you, all foods for the visit. You should also carry some food and water that can travel with you if you do have to leave your vehicle. Hydration is key at this elevation, and hunger causes one to make poor decisions.
Footwear is its own item. You need to keep your feet warm, dry, and slip free. Yak tracks or boot chains, snowshoes and walking poles, etc. but if summer, appropriate hiking footwear. Our roads are briefly muddy, but mostly either sandstone and dust, or snow buried. Comfortable feet are your best friend if you suddenly are on foot.
Carry a chainsaw and a strap to help you move logs. Since the Spring Fire, with all the burned trees, we are sure to lose a few upon the road you’re heading for. You cannot simply assume a neighbor is already there and already clearing the roads.
Lighting is an item many often overlook. If you come in early or late, or end up walking early or late, having lighting to guide you is a very practical idea. I also always care a sidearm for wild animals.
I would also suggest carrying a shovel (spade or snow) in case you get stuck. A chain is handy in case someone happens along to help tow, but doesn’t have a chain. Year round, I also leave a couple lighters and candles in each vehicle in case I need to keep warm overnight for some reason. A car battery self-jumper, a tire pump or compressor and tire chains round out the other items one should readily have available.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, tell someone you’re coming or going. Have a buddy you can ping not only at the gate, but at your property. Having a person know you’re en route can be an invaluable safety feature, not only mentally, but physically. If you don’t arrive, you know someone out there knows that you missed your target. This time of year, it could be days or weeks before another happens along. You can NOT expect your phone to work on your entire route, so again, be prepared to walk, even if only for a signal.
Take care of yourself. This isn’t mean to sound survivalist, but it is in fact the case. We are pretty much on our own out here. We are a community and will take care of each other, but we also must take care of ourselves.