by Robert M. Traxler
No surprise to anyone, it is cold outside, it is winter in Michigan after all. On very cold days my old mind slips to my misbegotten youth and the years spent stationed in Alaska in the early 1970s, from 1970 to 1973, the before the pipeline Alaska.I drove the Alaskan highway when 700 of the 1390 miles was dirt road. It was in the years before the dreaded and what we were told would be a disastrous undertaking that was the Trans Alaska Pipeline. It was before the billions paid by the pipeline company that went to infrastructure and to every person living in Alaska. The state paying you taxes, not you pay them taxes, started in 1982 with $1,000 per person and went to $2,017 in 2018.
The world has not ended, as folks promised it would because of the pipeline. The Rangifer Tarandus, Reindeer in most of the world but Caribou in North America, who were going to become extinct because of the pipeline, are thriving and living in perfect harmony with the dreaded interloper to their pristine natural environment since it opened in 1977.
Before the massive infusion of funds for infrastructure from oil revenue, Alaska was very basic and challenging, and as I sit in my warm home in Dorr, thinking it was not that bad. The summers were unbelievably beautiful, and the winters were, well, cold. The Arctic has a beauty of its own but a beauty that if you do not understand and respect it — it will kill you.
Things that normally work at 20 below fail at 50 below: some plastics, rubber, metals and petroleum products. Cars must be plugged into a heater that circulates “warm” fluids throughout the engine. An electric heater is added to the hose connecting the lower part of the radiator to the engine; heat caused the fluid to rise and circulate, and it kept the engine “warm.” Plug your car in and it would start; fail to do so and even the best engine would not turn over.
Function over fashion was the rule; if it was warm you wore it. At 50 degrees below zero, you could die of hyperthermia in minutes, not hours. The weather was as one would expect, changeable and at times severe., Folks carried emergency gear in their cars and did not venture out without thought and preparations.
We routinely sent military policemen to the schools during recess in the time called breakup, or what passed for spring, and in summer to guard the kids against moose and bears. Moose routinely roamed the post and we were trained to give them a wide berth. One young Texan, an attack helicopter pilot, tried to ride one who had gotten into a fenced in ballfield; he got out of the hospital a few months later.
Once when out hunting with a friend in the fall ( keep in mind this was the days before weather satellites), we had no indication the temperature would drop 60 degrees in a bit over an hour. It went from 40 degrees to -20, and from hard rain to a whiteout in a few minutes. Storms coming in on the Pacific currents would do that; by the time we got back to the vehicle we were cold, wet and very near death from hyperthermia. After that, I always carried a pack, regardless of the weather, with emergency gear when in the bush. Nothing like a near-death experience to teach caution and preparedness.Concerning preparedness, a space blanket, emergency blanket or mylar blanket is small enough to in fit on your back pocket or glove box, costs from five to nine dollars, and could literally be a life saver. A few protein bars cost around two dollars each, take up little space, and it can’t hurt to carry a few in your console or glove box. A bottle of water is also a good idea.
The folks who are prepared for an emergency, man made or natural, get ridiculed by the late-night comics and painted as strange; so be it. I see nothing wrong to taking a few precautions and helping yourself and loved ones in a situation we pray will never happen.
Interesting how we ridicule those who think ahead and prepare, until we hear in the news about someone who survived against the odds because he or she had the forethought to have basic provisions at hand when the unexpected occurred. Then we explode with kudos like “It’s a miracle!” or “What a hero!” When all it really took was some critical thinking and a little effort.
Nice piece, Bob. Brought back some memories of the pre-satellite days travelling through upstate NY when we were caught by sudden weather changes and big snow.
Mrs. Mandaville,
Lynn,
Thanks for the comment. -7 at our house today, enjoy the great weather in Arizona.
Oy! 38 this morning, but it will be 75 by two o’clock. Stop by for coffee! We can chat!
A few years ago Grandma and I bought all the grand kids survival kits for their cars. They still have them. A gift thank God have never been used but I feel good they are prepared. Good article Bob
Mr. Longstreet,
Thanks for the comment.
You are wonderful Grandparents, kids do not ever feel the worse will happen so you looking out for them is great. Good for you and Grandma.
Yeah, I liked this articled too. Maybe a short fat candle and strike anywhere matches, too? Of course, if you’re stuck in a snowbank with your car, and need to light the candle for warmth, ventilation must be addressed. I like to have hat/gloves/blanket land/or space blanket/foldable shovel/granola bars. And this for living in Michigan. Thanks for the good piece, Bob.
Mr. Basura,
Sir,
Spent a week in a snow cave above the Arctic Circle a survival candle in our issued kit was a life saver. It was In a can small and easy to store, this item can be purchased at the big box sports stores 7 to 10 dollars, Amazon also has them.
Thanks for the comment.
Army Bob
Another article that is not debatable.
Yes. being prepared as one travels the highways and byways is a very intelligent line of thought.
Some of us also prepare for possible disasters that nature may bring.
Than their are a few who try to prepare for the big disaster no one believes will ever come.
Mr. Smit,
Harry, Thanks for the comment, very true “a stitch in time saves nine”. Some dehydrated soup or a few packets of rice, canned food and perhaps a few bottles of water for the home can’t hurt.