You know, I’ve learned a thing or two about travel over the years, mostly the hard way. And one of the biggest lessons? Mother Nature doesn’t really care about your perfectly planned itinerary. She’s going to do what she’s going to do, and sometimes that means throwing some seriously extreme weather your way when you’re far from home.
That One Time in the Mountains
I remember this one trip I took a few years back. I was heading up to a mountain cabin, super excited for a solo retreat. Packed my bags, got the snacks, made a killer playlist. What I didn’t do, or at least not properly, was check the hyper-local weather forecast for the higher elevations. I glanced at the general regional forecast, saw “chance of showers,” and thought, “Eh, no biggie.” Big mistake. Huge.
So, I’m driving up this winding mountain road, tunes blasting, feeling great. Then, about halfway up, the “showers” started. Except it wasn’t rain. It was sleet, then snow. And not gentle, picturesque snow. This was the heavy, wet, sticking-to-everything kind. The kind that makes roads disappear real fast.
My little hatchback, bless its heart, was not equipped for this. I didn’t have snow tires, didn’t even have proper all-seasons on at the time, if I’m being honest. Within minutes, the road was a slushy mess, and visibility dropped to near zero. I started to panic a little, not gonna lie. My phone signal was spotty at best. I was, for all intents and purposes, stuck.
I did manage to pull over to what I hoped was the side of the road, heart pounding. I turned off the engine to save gas, but then it got cold. Really cold. I had a decent jacket, but not “stuck in a blizzard for hours” gear. I remember rummaging through my trunk and finding an old, thin blanket I’d forgotten about. Better than nothing, I guess. I sat there for what felt like an eternity, just watching the snow pile up, feeling pretty foolish and unprepared.
What I Actually Did (and What I Wished I’d Done)
During that lovely unplanned snow-in, I mostly just tried to stay calm. I’d occasionally turn the car on for a few minutes to get some heat, then turn it off again. I had some water and snacks, which was a small mercy. I kept trying my phone, and eventually, after maybe two hours, I got a weak signal and managed to call the local emergency line. They already knew the pass was bad and were working on it, but said it would be a while.
It was another few hours before a snowplow and a tow truck made their way up. Let me tell you, the sight of those flashing lights was like seeing angels.
My “Never Again” Protocol for Weather While Traveling
That whole experience was a massive wake-up call. Since then, I’ve become a bit obsessive about weather preparedness when I travel, especially if it involves remote areas or changing elevations. Here’s what my practice looks like now, born directly from that miserable day:
- Deep Dive Weather Checks: I don’t just glance at the forecast anymore. I check multiple sources. I look for local weather stations, specific mountain pass reports, and read traveler forums if I’m going somewhere known for tricky weather. I check it right before I leave and even during the trip if I have service.
- My Car is My Lifeline (Sometimes): My car emergency kit is no longer an afterthought. It’s legit.
- Extra warm blankets (plural!).
- A proper first-aid kit.
- Non-perishable food – stuff like energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. Enough for at least a day.
- Water. More than I think I’ll need.
- A powerful flashlight with extra batteries. And a headlamp, because hands-free is great.
- A portable phone charger/power bank. Fully charged.
- Basic tools, jumper cables, and depending on the season and destination, things like a foldable shovel, kitty litter (for traction), or emergency reflective triangles.
- Tell Someone Your Plans: This is a big one. I now always share my detailed itinerary with a friend or family member. Where I’m going, the route I’m taking, when I expect to arrive, and when I’ll check in. If I don’t check in, they know to raise the alarm.
- Dress in Layers: Even if the forecast looks mild at my starting point, if I’m heading to higher altitudes or areas known for sudden changes, I dress in layers. It’s easier to take stuff off than to magically conjure a warm jacket out of thin air when you’re freezing.
- Know When to Bail: This was a tough lesson. Sometimes, the smartest thing to do is to turn back or postpone. Pushing through bad weather, especially if you’re not equipped, is just asking for trouble. My ego doesn’t like it, but my safety appreciates it. If the conditions look sketchy, or the forecast is dire, I change my plans. The mountain/beach/whatever will still be there another day.
- Local Knowledge is Gold: If I’m in an area and the weather looks like it’s turning, I try to ask locals – gas station attendants, shopkeepers, park rangers. They often have a much better sense of how quickly things can change than any app.
So yeah, that’s my story. Getting caught out like that was scary and pretty dumb on my part for being so blasé about the weather. But it forced me to get serious about preparation. Now, I feel a lot more confident heading out, knowing I’ve done my best to anticipate and prepare for whatever Mother Nature might throw at me. It doesn’t mean things can’t still go wrong, but it definitely stacks the odds in my favor for staying safe and actually enjoying the trip, even if things get a bit wild.
