Winter Preparations Part 2

Getting Ready for the Big Freeze

I can relax a bit, with the basics for surviving winter covered - wood, water, and food. But there’s much to do if I want to thrive and have an idyllic winter. I need fuels if I want to use the shower, stove, and chainsaw. One of my goats is due at the end of the month, and I’ll need to prepare for her to kid. There’s still lots more on the agenda before the snow gets too deep.

It has begun, and it is beautiful.

Fuels

Gas
The most important engines to maintain through the winter will be the chainsaws and the snow blower. If more firewood needs to be cut, the chainsaws will be indispensable, and the snowblower will keep paths to the outhouse and barn clear. In addition to fuel, they’ll also need a supply of 2-stroke oil and bar oil. I’ve found the highest octane gas is best for small engines and will plan to have 100L in Jerry cans.

The generator is used for power tools. I’ll be surprised if it goes through 20L all winter. The snowmobile is a different story - it guzzles gas at breakneck speed. However, if I’m snowmobiling, I can get more gas for it and fill it at the bottom, so I don’t need to set aside a ton of fuel for the snowmobile.

Diesel can sprung a leak. Apparently bears like to chew on jerry cans. Great.

Diesel
In Cold temperatures, diesel can ‘gel’, meaning that it literally becomes a gel and can’t run through fuel lines. I used gas and diesel additives the first year and found that they did more harm than good. Since then, I’ve learned that in the winter, gas stations carry an already stabilized ‘winter diesel’, so there’s no need to add anything to it. Diesel for the tractor will be a must since I often use the tractor to move snow. Because it’s very efficient, I’ll plan to have 100L set aside.

On cold days when the wood stove is really hot, I use it for cooking.

Propane
Propane’s much more efficient than electricity for showering and cooking, but the jury’s still out on the freezer. Typically, we go through maybe 30 lbs total per month, more than half of which is consumed by the freezer. Realistically, that means that 180 lbs of propane is enough -but for good measure, we’ll fill every tank that we have.
Two 100# tanks
Two 30# tanks
Two 20# tanks
Three hundred pounds total should last well into the summer. Having some to spare is never a bad thing.

Eeyore and Roo getting familiar with the snow

The Animals

Having enough feed stored for the goats, chickens, rabbits and cats is a high priority. In the past, I’ve run out of feed and had to carry up 50 lb bags of pellets, which was not fun. When spring comes around, the goats will begin to forage for new growth, but through winter, they get hay. Goats also enjoy a textured mix of cereals and require minerals in their diet.

I have a first aid kit ready for the animals, but Maud the goat is due to kid in a few weeks. For that, I need to have more things ready in case there are any issues. I’ve also purchased a milk replacer and a bottle in case she doesn’t produce enough milk.

Always good to be prepared for emergencies

First Aid Kit and Emergency Preparedness

When we first embarked on the mountain, I went into the local police station and gave them my GPS coordinates. In case of an emergency in the middle of winter, they would have to send a helicopter.

I have the usual basic first aid kit. Gauze, bandaids, Advil, Polysporin, those sorts of things. But, I also need to think of the little things that can become a major inconvenience should they arise. I’d hate to have to hike to town with pinkeye. Though I prefer to use natural and holistic cures when possible, I’ve set aside a small pharmacy of other meds, like pinkeye drops, an array of cold meds, topical pain relief, and more.

Entertainment

There’s no shortage of things to do. I love to paint with acrylics and have started a series of small paintings on wood. My pile of rabbit furs is big enough to make a blanket when I find the time. I have lots of books I’ve been meaning to read, and when I’ve finally tired myself out the wifi works well enough for low definition Netflix. I’m also hoping to do some wood carving, and of course, continue to write and share online.

It’s a long list! Snacks and Drinks, Food, Wood, Water, Fuels, Animal and Emergency preparation. Though there’s a lot to have set aside, my first winter here showed me that I can live with much less. I know that whatever might be forgotten or whatever unforeseen things winter might throw my way, it can always be worked around.

This song came to me when I was beginning to plan to quit my oilsands job and still pops into my head often.
You can always live on rice and potatoes.