|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Feb 16, 2015 11:03:45 GMT -5
I have Yak Tracks that I would wear when I was out on the frozen lakes interviewing anglers for work. They work pretty well. www.yaktrax.com/product/walkI woke up to snow this morning. At least the temps are not too frigid and the wind is not blowing. Stuck, they look like expandable cords, somelike bungee cords, that fit right over your shoes. Is that how they work? Does it require some acclimation, some getting used to having the treads on your shoes?
What about boots? Could they fit over boots as well? I understand they provide traction but in our area we still have the frigid feet effect if out too long, especially in this consistent negative wind chill weather.
Do they wear out from friction on the ice and snow? I've found that bungee cords can wear out quite easily, depending on the stretch and friction to which they're exposed. I've been thinking of something for my father and the Yak Tracks might work.
I think someone else here was using them as well; I vaguely remember a post on the other forum about them.
Breezy, we'll expect a good report today after you've done your chores. And don't forget the mandatory warming session after being outside. Hot chocolate, or....something stronger?
|
|
stuckinsouthdakota
Sprout
SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Pennington County, Black Hills of South Dakota; Zone 4
Posts: 36
|
Post by stuckinsouthdakota on Feb 16, 2015 12:17:51 GMT -5
Yes they fit over shoes and boots...I wore them mainly with my hiking boots.
They are rubber and stretch to fit snug over the toe and heel of the shoes you are wearing. There is a metal coil-like a spring wrapped around the rubber pieces on the bottom of the shoes. They don't have spikes or anything that you could get punctured with or stuck in the carpet in the car when you drive. I drove with them on...probably not recommended, but had no problem.
I did not find them hard to get used to walking in them. I wore them sometimes for 8 hours straight and sometimes the bottom of my feet were sore like I was walking rough ground all day.
They work well well on frozen lakes, snow covered paths, sidewalks, off path I did lose one and not realize it, but about 3 months later I was walking the same area and actually found it! The snow had melted some so it showed back up.
i would recommend them for sure!
|
|
|
Post by OregonRed on Feb 16, 2015 13:16:48 GMT -5
Dakota,i purchased a pair of those last winter, as I live on a hill. there was more times than not, that I couldn't leave, even walking, at the risk of slipping. As a remedial, sports massage therapist, I know how hurt one can get... I'm in my 50's, self employed, not worth the risk. and wouldn't ya know, we've had no snow, no ice this year; in fact today, it is 63 and sunny! krazy man!
|
|
stuckinsouthdakota
Sprout
SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Pennington County, Black Hills of South Dakota; Zone 4
Posts: 36
|
Post by stuckinsouthdakota on Feb 16, 2015 13:29:41 GMT -5
Here it can't decide whether to snow or be sunny today. Yesterday NO snow anywhere! Melted a long time ago. Woke up to 3-4 inches of snow this morning and still was snowing! Then the sun came out and I went out and scooped...2 hours later it got cloudy and started snowing again. Now it is sunny and no snow. It looks like more clouds are coming down off the hills though. It is not bitterly cold though. I didn't bother putting on a coat.
|
|
|
Post by brownrexx on Feb 16, 2015 14:14:16 GMT -5
Thanks Dakota, I am going to order myself a pair of those and possibly one for my husband. It only takes avoiding one fall and they will pay for themselves.
It is brutally cold here today and it is expected to be colder tomorrow. We woke up to -3 degrees and I have never seen a negative number on the digital thermometer before.
It is up to a balmy 10 degrees right now but at least it's not windy.
I went with hubby this morning to winterize a vacant house for one of his customers. He was able to drain and save the furnace but the faucets are done for. There was an icicle hanging out of the kitchen faucet when we got there so it is probably cracked inside. If they had left it for just one more day the furnace and hot water heater would probably both have been ruined too.
Luckily the power was not turned off yet so we were able to turn on the electric stove just to thaw our hands over one of the burners.
I am home now but can't stop shivering. Cabin fever sounds really good to me right now DW.
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on Feb 16, 2015 15:08:42 GMT -5
Started snowing here at 1 p.m., & coming down strong, fine, dry, & icy. Took the dogs out for their lunchtime "business" walk (not that much "business" was actually done), & just got back in from tossing 120+ pounds of alfalfa along with some grass hay to the hooved gang, as well as sledgehammering ice out of tubs & refilling with warm water. Also refilled all of the bird feeders, which takes some time since I like to offer a buffet of different feed types. I'm exhausted (we reached a high of 16 today), but at least I kept my footing & shouldn't have to venture out again unless it's to put out more seed for the birds. Hubby just called to say he's on his way home, so that's good news.
I do have a pair of those YakTrax somewhere from when they first came out. Or maybe just one remaining one. They worked, but were constantly boomeranging off of my boots - especially in deep snow. The size was correct; I just couldn't get them to stay put. Maybe I'll try again with a new pair.
Am thinking that perhaps "Happy Hour" may come a little early today - lol! Plus, since hubby & I will be sequestered here at home tomorrow & are both hot chocolate lovers, I picked up a bottle of "Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur" while out today for some after-chores spiking. Needless to say, the market was a ZOO!!! Between today being a federal holiday + the snowstorm, everyone was in usual snow-hysteric mode buying toilet paper, bread, milk, & peanut butter. I'll never understand why that's considered the staff of life - lol!
|
|
|
Post by ncgarden on Feb 17, 2015 9:23:36 GMT -5
It doesn't sound bad - 1/2 " of freezing rain. But it has encased everything in a 1/2 " of ice. So, our area is pretty much shut down. Looks pretty, kind of dicey doing chores, but damn it - I work from home so I have not excuse not to work until the ice breaks the internet connection (which is only a matter of time). Always interesting to watch people try to make it up the big hill at the end of our street. So far, no one has been able to make it up the hill, even with 4-wheel drive. Hell, I wouldn't even try to walk up it!! View from the front steps The ice is really solid Fortunately, we have not lost any big branches yet
|
|
|
Post by brownrexx on Feb 17, 2015 9:47:04 GMT -5
Ohhh, I really hate ice storms. We really lost a lot of big tree branches to them last year. We are getting small but frequent snows and brutal cold this year but I'll take that over the ice storms any day. We had about 3 inches of snow last night and this morning it is 7 degrees but no wind. More cold and snow predicted for the weekend.
You really have a nice garden layout NC. It's interesting to look at it in the winter and imagine it growing.
|
|
camochef
Blooming
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Posts: 171
|
Post by camochef on Feb 17, 2015 9:58:36 GMT -5
Our weather here has been miserable! Single digit and sub-zero lows overnight, with screaming winds up to 60-65mph. Today was the warmest wake up temperature in weeks. (8 degrees). Yesterdays high temp was 17 degrees. We had about 4 inches of fresh snow overnight...on top of whats been out there for weeks. Predicted high for today is in the twenties. So our weather here in Gettysburg, sounds an awful lot tike BrownRexx's Usually we get some warm days scattered in with cold days and colder nights, not this year. We've been seeing extreme cold, without any breaks, for...I'm not even sure how long its been now. Fortunately, we still have electric and even though the furnace is running constantly...it is running! So things could be much worse. At least we aren't in Boston where it is much worse.
Looking everywhere for Spring! Enjoy! Camo
|
|
|
Post by brownrexx on Feb 17, 2015 10:03:33 GMT -5
Camo, I forgot you were in PA also.
If you like, you can put your location and zone under your avatar by clicking on profile in the black bar at the top of this page and then entering it in the update status box.
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on Feb 17, 2015 10:13:21 GMT -5
Well, we managed to somewhat dodge the weather bullet this time. Late yesterday afternoon "they" were predicting a possible 10" for us, but this morning we awoke to 5"/6" tops, which is liveable. It's still cold out, but at least the sun is shining & it's "supposed" to possibly creep into the mid-30's today, but I'm not holding my breath.
Thankfully dear husband stayed home today, so I won't have to venture out alone for outdoor chores.
|
|
camochef
Blooming
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Posts: 171
|
Post by camochef on Feb 17, 2015 10:15:00 GMT -5
Camo, I forgot you were in PA also.
If you like, you can put your location and zone under your avatar by clicking on profile in the black bar at the top of this page and then entering it in the update status box. Thanks...done!
|
|
|
Post by lilolpeapicker on Feb 17, 2015 10:42:32 GMT -5
At my work, they used to pass out those rubber stretchy thingys that fit over your boot/shoe but they have spikes on them. They didn't want us falling in the grundgy parking lot that we have...it is on the edge of a wetland and cannot be paved over so there is loose ground all around.
|
|
|
Post by desertwoman on Feb 17, 2015 10:52:23 GMT -5
Ice storms look treacherous. Fortunately we don't get those ( maybe 2 in the 34 years I have been here).
I love looking at the shape of your gardens, NC. It's fun for me to see how people use space.
|
|
|
Post by Mumsey on Feb 18, 2015 18:11:33 GMT -5
-30 wind chill all day today. Princess thought we ought to play outside. That lasted less than 10 minutes. We are thankful that we live in Iowa. Can't imagine the East right now.
|
|