Hill Report

[unicornduke]

I had a somewhat success trying the hill at the new place

despite the road being plowed, some snow had blown back across and gone through the freeze thaw freeze and solidified. I made it almost to the crest of the hill before the drift got too bad and I had to stop. But! since the barn is a bank barn, I was able to (mostly) back into the road area for the lowest level of the barn and cut the walking in half. My truck didn't like the sharp turn + snow + 4wd but it did it and driving out went just fine.

Took 6 loads of stuff, ~1/4 of my stuff up the hill, taking breaks between every three because it's a hell of a climb and the apartment is on the third floor. So basically, I parked on the first floor level, walked in the snow up to the second, and up the stairs to the third. Only took me a half hour or so.

I'm concerned about the weather though. There's no snow on the radar at all for the current forecast and that's ominous. I'm really concerned that it's going to blizzard just beyond the current forecast, which would be moving weekend. But I need to keep telling myself I have a whole week to move and there's no rush. I have flexibility! 

soon to be home sweet home, picture taken from the place I was afraid I was going to need to carry everything from. You can see where my truck is on the lowest level of the barn and much closer.

Comments

[graydon]

Yay, 1/4 moved!

Also, yay, less walking!

May the weather gods be kind.

[unicornduke]

I can only hope the weather gods will be kind, but I'm really not expecting it.

We've now got some snow for monday, so I don't think I'll be able to make it to the lower area since C will be out of town for a week. we'll see, she might be back in time to plow it. I think if I take my time, even if I take a lot of breaks going up the long hill I should be okay to get most done in a day.

Other problem is that my sibling Z had a miscommunication with the crew lead and won't be in my area but in an area that's an hour and a half from me. So, while that is less help, it gives me more flexibility on when I take stuff over with the exception of basically food, a few clothes and Mara and her stuff. So I could take everything 2-3 days before actually moving us over. I'll think about it when I have a better idea of the weather.

[graydon]

Expecting the weather gods to be kind is indeed rash!

Is the hill too steep to toboggan stuff up it? (I doubt you've got a cargo toboggan around in any case, but the thought occurs.)

Pre-loading is great if the logistics will let you do it.

[unicornduke]

That's actually a pretty good idea. I don't own one but I'm guessing C might. They also own one of those toddler sleds that have the high back although I'd be worried about breaking it. We were just making jokes yesterday about sending the step-grandchild toddler down the hill on it. I'll poke around because putting the heavy stuff on a sled and pulling it up is going to be much better than carrying because I can't see where I'm stepping when I carry the larger stuff.

I think the hill is too steep for going up unsecured but I should be able to secure stuff to a sled without too much fuss.

I think if it is going to snow early in that weekend/week, I will wait to move in and if the forecast says snow later in the week, I will move earlier. Just gotta wait until I see what the weather does.

[rose_griffes]

AS someone who grew up with very little snow, and still lives in an area with very little snow, the whole "move in the snow" experience sounds really intimidating. But I'm glad you've gotten a good start!

[unicornduke]

to be fair, I'm playing on hard mode here haha. Most places have driveways or parking spots close to the house or apartment that are easily cleared with plows or snowblowers or shovels if you don't mind a little work. this is a farm with a really steep hill that is difficult to get up in the winter without tractor tires. the apartment is an airbnb on the third floor in the barn so it isn't really meant for winter stays, more spring/summer/fall when the roads are good. And it isn't really meant for long stays either, C is doing me a favor. the farm is also pretty far out, side road of a side road of a main road and 15 mins from the closest small town. in the summer, I can pull right up to the barn and easily get in and out, but the snow is pretty bad right now because it has packed so weirdly due to the temperatures which have been very cold to 35f to -6F tonight. we're probably lucky we don't have more snow than the 3-4 inches we have right now

In a normal situation for a shorter move, you just reserve the rental truck for two or three days and take a small gamble on the weather. And track snow everywhere in the new place but that's what towels are for

[tielan]

I can see why you wouldn't want to be carting stuff up from this point. EEK!

But that slope looks GREAT for sledding down! (Says someone who's never lived in snow and has only the vaguest memory of sledding.)

[unicornduke]

It is definitely a good sledding hill other than the lack of ending zone haha. either there's a house, or a garage or a snow pile at the bottom so it would be a very quick stop at the end.

Another friend did suggest using a sled to haul things up the hill, which I'm definitely considering at this point.