Focus on Essential Areas First “When it comes to surviving on the summit, we have to let nature take its course,” Schilling says, explaining that her team prioritizes which areas to clear when the weather is especially bad. When it’s really blowing, focus your ice-removal efforts on walkways, paths to vehicles, entrances, and other high-traffic spots that are most critical for daily life. After the storm blows itself out, you can tackle the rest, including sidewalks and the full drive. Choose the Right Salt for the Right Temperature When temperatures drop below 10 degrees, the effectiveness of rock salt or sodium chloride drops to nearly zero. Therefore, the prepared homeowner should have both salt and alternate ice-melters available and easily accessible. Look for products made from calcium chloride, a compound which works down to approximately –25 degrees. Dip Into the Sandbox Salt and ice-melters have their purpose, but adding sand creates a mixture that provides grip for a one-two punch. “Sand gives us better traction,” Schilling says, “and salt helps thaw and remove ice over time.” Opt for a big bucket of silica, a granulized form of quartz stone, but take note that less is more: laying it on too thick will cause problems in the spring, as excessive quantities can clog drains. De-Ice a Frozen Windshield With an Alcohol Mix Believe it or not, “We do what everyone else does,” Schilling says of WMO’s handling of icy vehicles: scrapers, pre-heating vehicles, and turning on the defrosters. In a pinch, however, spray a 2:1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water onto a frozen windshield. The compound lowers the freezing point of water, which melts ice, leaving a clean, dry windshield. Mind Higher Areas Schilling and her team carefully monitor areas prone to ice buildup, including antennas, dishes, and overhangs, to see if excessive weight is threatening to pull structures down, which might hit someone or something. “Take a look around and see what might present a hazard should it become ice-bound,” she says. Once identified, something as simple as a whack with a long broom handle can knock excess ice loose and prevent it from becoming a danger. Use Hand Sanitizer to Fight a Frozen Lock Best practices on Mount Washington include never leaving vehicles on the summit overnight, as locks can freeze solid. For you, that might mean moving a vehicle inside a garage or using a cover, thereby lowering exposure to elements. But if you do find yourself locked out, squirt an alcohol-based hand sanitizer on your key and insert it in the lock. Like the isopropyl alcohol hack on your windshield, the hand sanitizer thaws by lowering water’s freezing point. Thirty seconds later, you’ll be ready to roll. Recruit Cat Litter to Keep Your Car Fog-Free Ice and fog inside your vehicle the next morning comes from moisture accumulating over time. “You’re exhaling, and that builds up,” Schilling explains. If you have a garage, simply open up your back windows to let out your commuter heavy breathing. Otherwise, fill an old sock with a few scoops of common kitty litter and leave it under your seat. The super-absorbent substance acts as a desiccant, leaving you with a clear interior.
