Survival in the hills

H. Kishie Singh

With everyone running up to the snow-clad hills, there are bound to be traffic jams, not to mention that cars will skid and end up in a ditch!

One should be well-prepared for any eventuality. The advice for the adventurers on the Manali-Leh road applies in the Shimla hills as well. First, carry a shovel. It is very handy to shovel snow to clear the road. Also you must be equipped with a rope or a tow-chain to pull you out of the ditch. Carry a minimum of two or three blankets.

In case you are stuck because of a landslide, it could be a two-or-three-hour wait. Do not waste fuel to keep the heater on in the car. Spread the blanket across your knees and snuggle up to whoever is next to you. I am taking it for granted that everyone has the good sense to be warmly dressed. You must wear a strong pair of shoes in case you have to get out and push the car. An extra pair of shoes and socks is a good idea in case your footwear gets wet. Loss of body heat starts at the feet and hands. Keep them warm and stay comfortable.

Also, carry plenty of water. These days we get small bottles, which are very handy. Carrying juices is a good idea. Add some oral rehydration salts to the water you are carrying. These have a pleasant taste and are of great medicinal value. Dehydration is a very real problem up in the hills. Avoid fizzy drinks. These are of no help.

Chocolates, biscuits, dry fruits like almonds and walnuts, gur-channa, gachak, roasted peanuts... are all life-sustaining nibbles. Carry an empty shopping bag. Put all your used bottles and wrappers into the bag and bring it back home for disposal. It would be an excellent time to train children in responsible social behaviour and teach them the ways and value of saving the environment.

One of the beauties of a snowfall is the silence it provides. It muffles all sound. The tyres make a gentle crunching sound, rhythmic and very soothing. If you are on a lonely by-lane, find a parking spot from where you can get a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalaya in all their majesty.

Sit quietly and you may hear the sound of silence. Only the mountains can provide this. Even if you are the type who finds the lonely roads more exciting and exhilarating, make sure that there is another car with you. Going alone is not a good idea. There is safety in numbers, especially if you need to be pulled out of a ditch.

You must leave home with a full tank of fuel. Your cell phone should also have maximum charge.

When it’s an adventure, expect the unexpected.

Happy motoring!