How to Walk on Ice Without Falling

Winter is upon us yet again. This morning I awoke in Northern Ohio to a winter wonderland of ice and snow flurries. My initial glance from the window left me dazed by the beauty of the outside world in its coating of ice. I am able to appreciate the beauty of the winter storm and also feel apprehensive. I don't like feeling as if I could cause or be involved in any sort of accident at the hands of mother nature.

I decided that my trip was short and I could see my destination in the distance. I felt as if I would be safer if I walked instead of driving there. Within a minute I was looking at the drive way, which was not inviting at all. I was sliding about on the verge of falling despite my excellent winter boots, made by The North Face company. The thought crossed my mind, that I should just stay inside today.... but no, not me. I am going to continue onto my destination.

If I had thought about it, I guess I would have realized my agenda simply was not worth traveling in the icy and slippery conditions. I could have made this walk in five minutes on a normal day. After twenty minutes I had made very little progress. With every street, sidewalk and patch of grass a solid sheet of ice. I walked slowly, I was careful of every step I made. I have no interest in suffering a fall and either injuring or embarrassing myself. As my walk turned to a downhill slope I skidded, skated and slid my way down. I was exhausted, I fell two times and I felt rather hopeless... How would I make it back up?

Well, being a decent problem solver I looked at my boots - I wasn't getting enough traction. I felt bad for the people in this part of the city who could not afford nice winter boots like mine. At the same time I was cursing my boots just a touch. I realized that I was not screwed at all. I stepped to the side of an abandoned building, removed my boots and my socks. I put my socks on the outside of my boots. I felt a touch ridiculous, and I knew I would draw stares from those who passed me. I thought, it is worth a shot. I stepped back out and I did not slip. Amazing! I was able to finish the walk to my destination without so much as a slip or slide. My socks had created the traction I needed to be safe on the ice.

This trick might not be fashionable, but it can save you injury and time. I will keep using the socks on the outside of my boots trick as needed. This will work for walking anywhere on a slippery icy surface. I looked into this a little bit today when I arrived back here in record time from my return. I am not the only one who has discovered this traction gaining technique. Bear Grylis from Man vs Wild on the Discovery Channel also utilizes this technique as needed, so you know it will work.