How to drive and walk on snow

How to drive and walk on snow.........

Himachal Pradesh and other hilly states like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand are experiencing spell of snowfall. Major tourist places like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda, Mashobra, Kullu, Chamba, Dalhausie, Kinnaur and Laul spiti areas etc are experiencing good snowfall .Although snow fall is very good for the economy and ecology of state, but along with it, it brings some unwanted aftereffects. Due to snowfall there is problem of connectivity, power, drinking water and other necessary utilities in some areas. 

The early snowfall is more problem causing than later one coming in months of feb. The early snow is very light and gets settled on the surface and take the shape of glass, which poses great problem for walking and driving. It got struck on roof of houses, cars, top of tress and with the passage of time it gains weight. It may cause breakage of roofs, breakage of branches of tress and deep impressions on roofs of cars. The melting of this kind of snow is very lengthy and in some cold zones it may extends upto March April and melts with the rains. Other snow, which comes late is quite bulky and melts easily.
After the snowfall due care should be taken while walking and driving. On settled snow, skidding is the main problem. Proper type of snow boots should be used. Some of best trekking shoes may not be suited to walk on icy floor. It should be noted that the texture of shoe sole which skids on water will also skid on snow. Hence non skidding boots should be use, which may not be even branded shoes. Similarly large groove shoes are also not good, as snow particle fixes in these groove and make it skiddy.  Similar is the case for driving of vehicle. The tyres which skids on wet surface will also pose the same problem on snowy surface. It is recommended to fix snow chains on tyres. 4X4 wheel vehicles are ideal for snow driving. Don’t take the risk with ordinary vehicle to drive on snow unless you are having experience of driving on snow.
During driving one care must be taken that driving should be made with first gear only and speed limit should not be more than 25-30 KM/ hr. don’t imply breaks during driving on snow else vehicle will skid. Special care should be taking while driving on sharp curve, rising or lowering levels. Extra speed will skid the vehicle away from road and will cause serious damages to you as well as fellow vehicles. Don’t exert extra efforts if vehicle stuck in snow. It will damage the engine of vehicle and futher deep struck in snow.
While walking on snow case should be taken that hands should not be parked in pockets. Any small imbalance will put you in trouble. Always take the support of side railings or any stick if walking on snow. People with more weight should take extra care. Never be caught in fall impression when you see the small clear pocket/Patch of path. It seems that it is safe point but in some time there is small icy layer on it which is transparent and can not be judged. When you put foot on it, you will skid. Same is very serious on small and narrow paths/hill climbing paths. Always take small steps during walking.
After the snow fall when sky is clear during the night, the water coming from melting of snow deposits on roads and paths and get freeze, which is not visible and pose great problem for travelers/ drivers. Special care should be taken during this time. Glassy surface of road will skid the vehicle away
If all the above mentioned points are taken care, you can enjoy the snowfall with safety and can encash the memories of lifetime.