Winter Wandering

A guide to some necessary materials to have while commuting in Ellensburg during the winter

You wake up one morning to find that there is a chill in the air that wasn’t there the day before. After fighting off the urge to stay in your bed where it’s nice and warm, you get up and walk to open up the shades. You peer through your window to find a fresh blanket of ice and snow covering the ground, and while the sight itself is pretty, you can’t help but feel the dread pooling in your stomach. You have things to do today and places to be, how are you going to get anywhere through all this ice and snow? Traveling in winter weather can be tough, especially if you’re not used to it. Here are some quick tips and tricks on how to get around during Ellensburg’s cold months.

WALKING

If you’re going somewhere closeby or decide that driving in these conditions isn’t for you, here are some things to consider before heading out the door: Wear shoes or boots with good traction. If you have to choose between sneakers with extra grip or a pair of fuzzy-lined boots with smooth soles, go for the sneakers. A little extra warmth and comfort for your feet isn’t going to do much if you keep slipping and sliding. Plan to take longer for your walk and leave sooner if you have an appointment. You’ll probably be taking smaller steps than normal to decrease your chances of falling and you might have

story by Gabby Kutch | photos by Jakob Burnham | design by Sandra Rivera

DAD TIPS

If you’re planning on leaving your car outside in the cold for long periods of time, make sure the gas tank is full. Filling up the gas tank means that there will be less room in the tank for water condensation to form and mix with the gasoline.

Collapsible shovel to clear away snow

Sunglasses, snow can be very bright and reduce visibility

Cat litter can be used on icy roads to help the tires gain traction. Sand and rock salt can also be used.

Tire Chains for when cat litter doesn’t give enough traction

to make detours if certain areas have too much ice or snow. Keep your hands out of your pockets. While it’s tempting to shove your hands in your pants or jacket to keep them warm, you need them free to break your fall and lessen the impact should you slip.

DRIVING

Before you grab your keys, keep these things in mind if you decide to run some errands or need to drive home through snowy areas for winter break: Beware of black ice. If the temperatures are below freezing and there is a patch of road that looks wet, there is a good chance that it could be black ice. Be extra careful if you have to drive over one of these spots as looks can be deceiving. Never use cruise control when driving on icy roads. Having your car on cruise control can make it harder to know when your car has lost traction, which can be very dangerous. Use your headlights. Even if it’s not dark or snowing in any way, headlights will increase your visibility and make it easier for other cars to spot your vehicle.

RIDING THE BUS

Just because you aren’t the one behind the wheel doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared, keep these things in mind before you board the bus: If you are planning on using an intercity bus, make sure to call ahead of time to make sure there aren’t any changes in time or if the route has been canceled entirely from bad weather. Expect delays and plan for a longer commute. On top of driving more slowly to avoid accidents, bus drivers may have to alter their routes due to road conditions. There is also a chance of the bus getting stuck, so if you have an appointment of some kind, make sure to have their contact information available beforehand in case you need to contact them. Having this information handy will help in case you’re stuck in a place with little to no service. If you need to catch a bus when it’s dark out, make sure you have a flashlight or are wearing reflective material. Driving in the snow at night means low visibility, so having something to let the bus driver know you’re there will be helpful to both them and you.

UNCOMMON UTILITIES

If you’re planning on a road trip in winter conditions, it’s best to pack emergency supplies in your car in case you get stuck.

While some things like first aid kits, water, and blankets are obvious picks, there are some tools and items you might want to

keep with you that you may not have thought of: