Yosemite again!

[Drew Wiley]

Just this moment the national news mentioned that 120 people had to be rescued from Kings Canyon due to sudden snow road closures trapping them. They didn't elaborate, but often relate such things prematurely anyway, being unfamiliar with the local geography. Meanwhile, a private plane crashed in the snow on Mt Diablo last night. More snow due tonite. Heavy cold rain here all day.

[John Kasaian]

The old man who dispensed wisdom to his tribe passed away so they had to get a new guy.
That autumn the Indians asked the new guy what they should do to prepare for Winter. The new guy remembered what the old man said every Autumn and told the Indians
"Cut firewood" so off they went.
The new guy had second thoughts so he called the newspaper and asked
"Is it going to be a cold Winter?"
He was told
"It's going to be a really cold Winter"

The Indians returned and asked the new guy "What should we do next?"

The new guy answered "Cut more wood. It's going to be a really cold Winter"
So they left again. Chain saws gassed and fresh bar oil.

The new guy, worried since the tribe depended on him logged on to the Weather Channel and asked
"Is it going to be a really really cold Winter?"

"It's going to be a really really really cold Winter," they told him.

When the Indians returned he told them
"Cut more wood! It's going to be a really really really cold Winter!"

So off they went after resharpening their chainsaws

Once again the new guy was worried, so he called the National Weather Service and asked the meteorologist
"Is this going to be a really really really cold Winter?

The meteorologist said This is going to be the coldest Winter ever."

"Wow!" The new guy asked him "How do you know?"

"Because the Indians have been cutting an unbelievably huge amount of firewood!" The meteorologist replied.

[Willie]

I know studded snow tires are illegal in many States but when you drive there from Out of State you are OK. Once winter hits here we have a lot of roads that are packed snow/ice until warm weather finally clears them. Am a few miles from pavement and the tires make a big difference on both gravel and paved roads. Have used Blizzaks, X-ice and some other brands. Best - and what we have settled on for the vehicles are Nokian from Finland. Either the Nordman or the Hakkapeliitta depending on the vehicle. An extra set of rims so we just change out with the seasons. Compared to all season tires the Winter specific are much better. Biggest benefit is being able to keep away from the crazy drivers who think they don't have to slow down - especially the first few winter storms.
The cost of a second set of tires and wheels is a lot less than body work on the vehicles. We can still get stuck, but the safety factor in marginal conditions is good to have.
Chains are still in the truck but seldom used these days. When it gets that deep we usually stay put and wait for the plows to hit the roads. Putting chains on is not too much fun. Worse than that is putting them on a 12 wheel tractor. They sure do make a difference and once on - not removed until the ice is gone. Putting them all 12 tires takes time but is the best solution when it is really nasty out.
My Uncle showed me a quick solution for getting out when it is icy. He has a rolled up carpet in the back of his pickup. No traction? He puts it unrolled against the wheels (generally have to shovel a bit first) and when he hits the gas it catches and the traction it provides works like magic. A lot faster than having to hook up a winch and it works on sand and mud as well.
Good luck to one and all with winter driving - especially in areas where you don't see it often.

[Jerry Bodine]

And then there's this:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/4306...te-off-roader/

My Land Rover Series IIa (108" short wheel base) did pretty good with all four chained up.