With winter comes ice. Lots and lots of ice. I live on a long dirt road that ends in a final downhill dip which means that during the winter season it often becomes challenging to maneuver and sometimes even impossible when it ices over.
I got my first concussion this winter during one particularly treacherous stretch as I tried to exit my car after it slid towards the neighbors driveway and got stuck. One step and I immediately fell flat on my back slamming my head on the unyielding ice before I could make it to the garage and get dirt put down to improve traction. It was scary.
Sidewalks can also be hazardous. Basically, any surface you have to walk on in the winter can be dangerous when the temperatures dip.
My solution? Walk like a penguin. I have told my family to walk like a penguin so many times that they mock me but it works so I’ll keep repeating the phrase anytime anyone glances at the ice during the winter. It’s a proven strategy. Check out this article from Vox “3 tips to walk on ice: walk like a penguin“.
Here are some other tips for walking on the ice:
- Walk Slowly
- Shuffle or Take Baby Steps
- Keep Your Hands Out of Your Pockets
- Wear Shoes with Traction
- Use a Handrails or Other Supports When Available
- Consider Any Wet Surface as Possible Ice
- Avoid the Ice If Possible
You’d think with the stresses of maneuvering on ice, I would not be fan, but that is not the case. When not inflicting pain, ice can be incredibly beautiful especially when clinging to the surface of branches and trees.
And, if you are not in the mood to walk like a penguin, then I suggest making sure you wear the right gear. We do a lot of winter hiking, but we always wear our crampons. I actually blogged about them during last year’s challenge in my post X is for Xtreme Conditions | STABILicers Maxx make winter hiking a breeze. Having the right equipment is critical and my crampons allow me to scramble over snow and ice-covered trails without slipping.
Do you get a lot of ice where you live?
I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2018. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Winters in Maine. To read more of my A to Z posts, click HERE.
Weekends in Maine 
Ice makes for gorgeous natural beauty. I remember one spectacular ice storm in the mid 1990s. But I hate ice when I drive and … walk.
You got your share this year for sure.
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It is such the extremes. Intensely beautiful to look at but so dangerous when trying to walk or drive in it.
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I love your photos! And I absolutely walk like a penguin when its icy–I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing though. I thought I was just being a scaredy-cat. I’m glad to know I use a tried and true method!
Melanie’s Stories
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The penguin walk works!
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We have been doing a lot of walking like a penguin this year too! There were even public information films on social media advising people how to do it! Beautiful, if cold, photos 🙂
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/10/i-is-for-iasi-romania/
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Walking like a penguin is a good skill to have when you live in icy climates.
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This should be required reading for everyone before they visit! Especially those of us who live in areas that don’t freeze. Even people like me, who grew up with snow and ice but do not live with it annually. How easily we forget just how slippery and hard ice is!
Emily In Ecuador | Internet Cafes in Puerto Lopez
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It is quite hard especially when you land on it unexpectedly.
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Ouch! I don’t go anywhere near ice, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t fallen! Thankfully no concussions.
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Falling is not fun. It took me a bit to shake off the concussion. It made me especially careful on the ice for the rest of the season.
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Beautiful photos, thankfully I don’t come across ice all that often because I would be falling constantly 😊
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We’ve had a few big ice storms over the years and while challenging, since we usually lose power, it can be so beautiful when everything is covered in ice as long as you don’t have to walk or drive.
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I agree, as long as you don’t have to drive or walk ice in all its forms if beautiful and fascinating!
“Walk like a penguin” made me smile. Forget about walking like an Egyptian!
My destination today is warm and sunny: https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/2018/04/i-is-for-irvine.html
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Walking like an Egyptian, while certainly fun, probably wouldn’t be helpful.
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I find that my footing isn’t so good on ice but that doesn’t keep me from going out to enjoy the artistry of ice.
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Me too! It’s so beautiful!
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I really find the need to be more aware of my steps and body as I age…
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
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So true. I definitely move a little more carefully now that I’m older.
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Oh my… I hope the concussion was not too severe!
I admire your positive outlook when it comes to treacherous ice. While I do find it beautiful when I am inside my house (with a roaring fire) … I am not fond of venturing outside in that kind of weather. I don’t trust myself walking – and I don’t trust other drivers on the road.
I do believe this awful winter weather is (finally) behind us. We are supposed to reach 70 degrees tomorrow 🙂
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Yes, it’s finally getting warmer. Almost ready to put my winter coat away for the season.
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We are the ice storm capital here in Southern Illinois. Usually beginning with thundersnow then rapidly changing to that lovely ping ping ping as the ice crystals begin to hit the windows. Followed by the slow motion cracking as branches begin to fall…But I do agree, as long as I don’t have to go anywhere, the ice covered branches are beautiful.
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Ice storms are challenging and almost always are followed by an extended power outage here. Sorry to hear you get so many of them. At least we get the beautiful views after the storm.
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Penguin walk saved me when I trekked the Himalayas. Walking awkwardly and making a fool of myself was an easy choice over the alternate. These are very important tips for inexperienced people venturing into ice.Great clicks as well.
I is for Innocence
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Anything to stop from falling! I have only ventured onto a glacier once on a trip to Iceland and for a short trek. I can’t imagine trekking the Himalayas.
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I know it can be dangerous but is does look beautiful and I admit I did have a laugh at the suggestion to walk like a penguin – but if it works who cares what we look like, right?
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
I is for Inspiration
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It really is beautiful. When you see an entire tree covered in ice it’s stunning.
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Thank you for visiting my blog Karen.
I hope you’ve recovered well from your concussion. It sounds painful.
I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with ice on a daily basis, although I love your gorgeous pictures. My last ice experience was on a trek in the Himalayas, but I had all the gear plus extremely agile and helpful guides to lead the way–so even though there were some scary moments, I felt safe.
I is for Ishq
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After my fall, I not only wore my crampons to shovel but also pulled out my daughter’s old winter sledding helmet. I wasn’t taking any more chances. Fortunately, my concussion recovery went great.
The Himalayas must have been gorgeous to visit. Having the right guides must be critical for a trip like that one.
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Beautiful photos! I love the advice, Walk like a penguin! It’s something I don’t need to worry about though. I’ve never had to walk on ice and don’t anticipate doing so as I live in S.Africa! Journal to Improve Your Life
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Yes, no ice for you. I’ve never been to South Africa but from the pictures I’ve seen, it looks beautiful.
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We get lots of freezing rain here in Eastern Ontario. While it can look really petty when the storm is over and the trees are glittering like diamonds, it can be highly destructive and incredibly dangerous. Sometimes walking like a penguin won’t help. Glad you made it through without major injuries.
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You are so right some days are extremely treacherous and it can be even more difficult to manage the ice than others. When we hike in winter, I always wear my crampons for added traction.
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I watched a FB video of people sliding on ice as they tried to get into or out of their cars, take out rubbish bins, walk down stairs etc – it was funny but awful at the same time. I’ve never understood how “normal” it is for people living in your area to deal with the treacherous conditions – especially driving – it scares the pants off me just thinking about it!
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
J for Just Do It!
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I’m not a fan of driving in it even after all these years of living with snow and ice. I’ve had a few slide off the road accidents although fortunately not for many years and none that caused any injuries.
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I hate ice. We get ice more often than we get snow, and thankfully, neither of them that often. We did have a horrible ice storm about 12 years ago or so and had no power for a week.
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Ice storms can really do a number on power lines. We’ve had some ice storms like that we’re we’ve gone extended periods without power. This year, we lost it for about 5-6 days. Fortunately, we have a portable generator so it’s manageable.
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As someone living in the tropical region in India, I have never had to deal with extreme winters or ice. White winters look great in pictures, and the idea has always fascinated me. But after reading your post, seems like a real force to reckon with.
Nice post.
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You do have to be careful in the winter especially with driving and walking although it can be so beautiful when everything is covered in white. A tropical region must be beautiful too. I am fascinating by nature in all her different versions. It’s one of the reasons I love to travel so much.
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