I’ve made my decision, even more than making my decision I’ve invested money, time, and sweat equity.  For better or worse, when the fecal matter hits the rotary oscillator I am headed north.  No palm trees and balmy January nights for me.  No endless sunshine  No Pina Coladas to the tune of waves cascading over the sand. Then again no hurricanes, malaria, and hordes of helpless people either.

I am gambling on human nature.  If you had to make a choice, would you follow the siren song of perpetual summer or head towards snow drifts?  Experienced preppers aside, when the grid goes silent and the cities start vomiting their filth only those that were driven that way out of necessity are headed north.  Those with any choice will be headed south.  It was incompetence, ignorance, or just sheer laziness that led them to be unprepared in the first place.  When finally faced with a decision that they have to make they are not going to make the seemingly more difficult one.

I’ve lived my whole life “North” and I’ve staked my bet even further North.  As I sit here we are experiencing one of the snowiest winters on record.  Cities are running out of money in their snow removal budgets.  Salt is popular here, for those of you not  from the North, it is the difference between 2 inches of snow causing an incident like happened recently in Atlanta and just another day.  The salt is just about gone, and it is February.  While I highly doubt this is going to cause anything more than mild inconvenience I need to shed light on the money and effort that makes travel possible in the North.

This brings me to my first point, travel.  The first reason I am headed North is simply because travel will be nearly impossible.   If cars are still running and gasoline and diesel are available, even on a limited basis, it won’t matter.  If the infrastructure isn’t there to clear the roads things will grind to a halt.  Even purpose built 4 wheel drive vehicles will find it impossible.  Heck, a snowmobile that is not set up for fresh powder can and will get stuck, I know this one first hand.  Long distance travel utilizing our familiar modes of transportation will be futile.

So why on earth would the inability to travel be top on my list as a reason to head north?  Simple, If I can’t travel, neither can they!  We don’t really know how the masses are going to react to a world changing event.  If we use history as a guide it isn’t too pretty.  As the starving masses search for sustenance they will take the path of least resistance.  Waist deep snow is not a scenario they are going to walk into. Have you ever walked in waist deep snow?  It’s a workout to say the least.  If you are in great shape count on half a mile an hour at best.  Besides the workout, snow will be cascading over the tops of any boots.  What are you going to do when you can’t dry them out?  Sure, snow shoes like these will put you on top of the snow but from experience, most folks don’t have them.  Only likeminded preppers or avid outdoorsmen even consider owning a pair.

I run through scenarios in my mind so often I wonder if it will eventually drive me mad.  Home defense might be near the top of your priority list whether you know it or not.  People will get desperate.   Those that choose North might welcome a November to April reprise from constantly worrying about intruders.  If someone does decide to come knocking the snow is going to severely slow them down.  Advantage: Homestead.   The critical time you have between detection and a required response is greatly enhanced if your assailant is moving at half a mile an hour.  That being said, it is a deterrent in and of itself.

Tracking is a skill that should be part of every preppers repertoire.  In the deep snow of winter tracking a human is very easy.  If someone was recently there, you know it.    The same goes for animals and anything that moves in the winter.  Casing your property will become difficult without being detected, even if detection occurs after the fact.

The cold also has inherent benefits.  Folks down south better become adept at salting, smoking, and canning meats.  Up north we just leave it outside.  No need for refrigeration here just put your food in an animal proof box or cooler.  If you do plan on powering your home via solar or wind you can check the refrigerator of the list from November to March.

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