SNOWPOCALYPSE!

[rachelmanija]

I just waded through HIP DEEP snow to get to my chickens, then had to dig for 20 minutes to open their door. They're fine, just annoyed, and still laying!

By the time I wallowed back to the house, my footsteps were already mostly filled up with new snow.

Alex took the opportunity to escape as the snow prevented the front door from completely closing. I grabbed him and stuffed him back in before he could attempt to catwalk over a drift.

Photos to come. Later. I didn't take my phone as I was afraid of losing it in a snowdrift.

Snow piling up on my deck to an alarming degree, approaching the railings, and still coming down hard. I can't get on it due to snow blocking both entrances (which both open inward onto the deck) but it's approaching danger levels to I'm going to see if I can get over the gate with a stepladder. I can't get anyone to come shovel for me as they're all snowed in as well.

I have three days' worth of coffee left.

ETA: I just got in from shoveling the deck. I got maybe 1/3 of it shoveled down to about 1 1/2 - 2 feet of snow. I'm taking a break and going back out soon.

So much for "I shall cozily drink hot chocolate and get lots of writing done!"

ETA 2: RimEverything Facebook page is lit today: Is there someone on this miserable frozen hellsacape of a mountain that wants to make some cash tomorrow? Someone with a 4 wheel drive and chains? Someone that can drive said vehicle down some roads to the bottom of the hill?

(No. There is not. All roads off the mountain are closed.)

ETA 3: There is like 3.5' of snow on my chicken run roof. Guess I'll swim out there, take the stepladder out of the shed, and shovel some off.

The deck is still buried in snow.

RimEverything is full of people begging for help shoveling snow but no one can go anywhere.

I can't believe I still have power and internet! It's a miracle.

Comments

[ratcreature]

Yikes, some snow can be nice but this is definitely too much. I hope all structures continue to withstand it, and the weather improves before the coffee (or anything else) runs out.

[sovay]

I have three days' worth of coffee left.

That's the most survival horror line I've seen on my friendlist in some time.

(I am glad your chickens are fine and your phone has not done a Lawrence Oates.)

[rachelmanija]

That's the most survival horror line I've seen on my friendlist in some time.

LOLOLOLOL.

A neighbor called and pointed out that I should take my phone when I go outside in case I slip. (It's not slippery but her general point stands.) I shall safety pin it into my coat pocket.

[davidgillon]

A friend of my sister managed to slip outside her house and break both ankles just before Christmas, and that was just stepping outside in the dark in dry weather, so it's good advice.

[kathmandu]

That kind of scenario is why I keep a couple jars of instant coffee. I much prefer real coffee and almost always arrange to have real coffee. But if we're ever snowbound or equivalent, I have the jars of instant as Emergency Caffeine and Backup Emergency Caffeine.

[rachelmanija]

Oh wait. I might have some of that.

But it may be in my car, which is currently very hard to access.

[wpadmirer]

DAMN. That's not fun. I hope that the snow stops soon so that you can at least get more coffee! Otherwise you might have to call in an air rescue. (grin)

[philomytha]

That is a LOT of snow! I hope it eases off before the coffee runs out!

[mildred_of_midgard]

You stole our snow! (We got 1 inch.)

Good luck, and stay warm, fed, and adequately caffeinated!

[thistleingrey]

I hope there's a break in the snow so that some of it can recede without human intervention. That's a lot.

[goss]

O_o

[musesfool]

I have three days' worth of coffee left.

Yikes! I hope the snow stops before the coffee runs out! And that the deck etc. hold up under the onslaught!

[pameladean]

Holy shit. Be careful on the stepladder. And I must say, your chickens are almost as intrepid as you are.

P.

[falkner]

then had to dig for 20 minutes to

I thought this sentence was about to end with "to find the chickens"!

[princessofgeeks]

Glad you were able to take enough of the load off the deck.

[rachelmanija]

I haven't yet! I'm just taking a break because it's exhausting.

[starlady]

Oof, I was wondering how you were doing. And how the chickens were taking it. Glad you are retreating inside to take breaks as needed!

[sheron]

I look forward to pics!

[lemonsharks]

Re: coffee, rationing may go better if you make the grounds into cold brew concentrate at a very high water to bean ratio?

Anyway, may your garden flourish from the groundwater infusion this year

[silverflight8]

Congrats on shovelling so much snow and not dropping your snow in a snowbank. One of the fun things as a kid in Calgary was to find weird stuff people had lost in snowbanks over the winter once it all started melting in the spring...

[thomasyan]

how much experience do you have with shoveling?

if not much, please be careful to not overdo! remember the "no +1" rule someone mentioned regarding hang-gliding!

sometimes you can get away with pushing (smaller) amounts to the edge, and then tossing. less work than always tossing.

[marycatelli]

Also, this particularly applies if it's slushy. Light fluffy snow is less dangerous than others.

[thomasyan]

do you have honey or similar? I think the Little House on the Prairie books talked about drizzling honey in snow to make it freeze into candy, or something fun like that?

[ethelmay]

Molasses candy.

[thomasyan]

Thanks! I knew it was something sweet, sticky, and thick. Honey didn't seem right.

[lilacsigil]

Wow, so much snow! My (Australian) newspaper had an article about how much snow California is getting, so I was thinking of you!

[cahn]

Wow, that is SOME SNOW. omg! I hope you get to drink hot chocolate and write maybe... after it stops coming down??

Is there someone on this miserable frozen hellsacape of a mountain that wants to make some cash tomorrow? Someone with a 4 wheel drive and chains? Someone that can drive said vehicle down some roads to the bottom of the hill?

HAHAHAHAHA yeah I was thinking, that had better be like millions of dollars, even before you said the roads were all closed!

And, impressed you still seem to have power and internet!

[yuuago]

Wow, that sure is a lot of snow. Hang in there. :V

[havocthecat]

I've been following your posts in reverse and - ack. Good luck.