1 of 14

Winter Road Trips

Getting ready for Craftsbury

As many of us learned first-hand when we got stuck in a blizzard on the way to Craftsbury in 2022, driving into the Northeast Kingdom — or any snow-prone area — can be dicey. Here are some ways to prepare yourself and your car.

2 of 14

FIRST OFF: Prepare your vehicle … NOW!

Before you leave

Get car checked out— make an appointment early
Check weather forecast
Fill gas, check your oil
Clear snow off your car, including the roof

1 week before

Tuneup

Get inspection on:

Cooling System
Tires
Steering and Suspension
A/C system
Transmission
Get app for weather forecast for full route

Ie: Highway Weather

3 of 14

What to keep in your glovebox: 1 of 2

Store regularly used things & emergency helpers, including:

Owner’s manual
Cell phone charging cable and power brick. The kind you plug into your car’s USB port.
Tire gauge. Check your tires at least once a month (do it when they’re cold). The correct tire pressure is on the driver’s door-jamb, the glove box door, or in your owner’s manual.

4 of 14

What to keep in your glovebox: 2 of 2

Registration & insurance cards
Family & emergency phone numbers.
Pen & small writing tablet to record essential information in an emergency. ICE: in case of emergency– medications, and who you want to be called if you were unconscious or needy.
A window punch enables you to easily smash a side window to escape a burning or sinking car if the doors aren’t operable. Many window punches have an integral seat belt cutter.
Headlamp, flashlight
Keep your coat in front seat

5 of 14

Trunk or cargo area: 1 of 2

Spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. Keep your spare tire inflated.
Emergency battery car starter Be aware of inflator kit expiration date.
Ice scraper
Reflective triangles or flares to increase your car’s visibility to passing traffic if you are stopped.
Jumper cables or a lithium-ion battery-powered jump starter
******First-aid kit****** with (at least) bandages, gauze/tape, and antiseptic towelettes, personal medications
LED flashlight Pack extra batteries.
Basic tools such as pliers, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, scissors, a folding knife, and an adjustable wrench. Duct tape can also be useful.
Winter clothes, overnight bag, water

6 of 14

Trunk or cargo area: 2 of 2

Antifreeze/coolant
Windshield washer fluid, and extra windshield washers
Quart of oil in case you run low.
Disposable gloves to protect your hands and pre-moistened wipes to clean them after, say, changing a tire or checking the oil level.
Rags for spills
Blankets for warmth, or to spread on the ground while changing a tire. � Mylar Emergency blanket / sleeping bag / bivvy
Flares
Shovel, windshield scraper, de-icer
Sand or kitty litter, tire grate, emergency plastic chains
Dry-powder fire extinguisher (less than $20)

If your car catches fire, grab your cell phone, get out quickly, and call 911.
Fire extinguisher: classes B (flammable liquids) or C (electrical) fire extinguishers could keep a small fire from becoming unmanageable. Store it under the driver’s seat and keep it charged.

7 of 14

Signaling: (#1: main priority)

Cell phone, signal mirror, whistle, flares, orange material (3 yds square)

Personal Protection: (#2: take care of you!)

Clothing/equipment: Knife, headlamp, sewing kit, ziplocks, bandana

Shelter: space blanket/garbage bag/poncho/tarp, strong rope/paracord 6’+

Fire: Ignition source (or 2-3 kinds), tinder

Sustenance: (#3)

Water: water disinfection, water bottle

Food : and way to procure more

Travel: (#4) map and compass

Health/Hygiene: (#5)

First aid kit, soap, medications, toothbrush and paste, medical tape, wipes, TP, insect

repellent, sunscreen, Deterrent, ie bear spray/ward off danger

Recommendations

Survival kit (by OwlsSkills/Jessie Krebs)

8 of 14

To Consider

Know your limits. How long can you comfortably drive at a time?

Think about night-time driving, slippery/snowy roads, driving into the sun.

Driver experience: Know when to go/not go, and when to slow down.

Set your schedule.

Bring your laptop if you work remotely, in case you need to wait a day to

travel due to weather.

Use multiple tools to map your trip.

Know the highlights you want to see
Book your accommodation

Use multiple navigation tools to keep you on track.

ie: GPS, cell phone, maps and compass

Watch for road hazards: i.e., ditches covered with snow., black ice

Insurance: Make sure you're covered.

Travel Insurance. Rental Car Insurance. You can sometimes print out an insurance card from online.

Roadside Assistance: i.e., AAA or the more bike-friendly Better World Club

Winter driving tips: Scroll down for 22 Winter Driving Tips: https://solotravelerworld.com/winter-road-trip-alone-32-tips/

9 of 14

Don’t Trust Your GPS!

If you’re heading to Craftsbury, please follow the driving directions that are on the Craftsbury Outdoor Center website. Please see the next slide for their map, and here’s the link for full directions. (Scroll down when you get the page up):

https://www.craftsbury.com/getting-here#driving

Many people have the habit of just turning on Google or Apple map when they get in the car, Unfortunately, GPS often sends people on back roads that are particularly treacherous in winter. It's counterintuitive to have to read directions written as a chunk of text these days, but it’s very helpful for this particular location.

11 of 14

ENJOY YOUR TRIP

Be safe out there!

Collect numbers of fellow travelers �from your region before you go.

Cell coverage is spotty or nonexistent around Craftsbury. If you’re delayed in arriving or get into trouble on the road, you might not be able to reach us. Try to contact multiple members so we know what’s up.��Delayed? Try these numbers to give organizers a heads-up.

Craftsbury: 802-586-7767

Lisa Vaas, Regional Contact, E. Mass. 617-955-1766

Kim Weeber, W. Mass. 413-883-7829

Bonna Wieler, Regional Contact, NH/Vermont 802-274-0810

Randi Quackenbush, FLNY 585-705-7702