Snow Wheelin'

[StG58]

So, I was salivating over pictures of TJ's in snow today, and was wondering whatcha' all do differently when you head out into the snow vs. just a regular trip into the woods.

I throw my hiking pack in, instead of just my day pack so that when I get stuck I have more than two days of gear with me. Chains x 4. Extra gas. More high calorie food. Normal recovery gear. Change of clothes. Extra socks. Extra gloves. Extra water. The big first aid kit and ropes from the SAR loadout. Take the back seat out if it's in.

What do you guys do? ...and what additional gear do you take, if any?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

One thing I do when planning a trip into the snow is to include WOOL wherever possible in survival clothing. Especially things like socks, watch caps and jackets. Cotton socks, jeans, shirts, jackets, hats, etc. are the worst in freezing conditions when they get wet, cotton can kill you in such conditions. I taught that to all my CAP Cadets and Boy Scouts. And of course the additional important things like high calorie food. Don't forget a heavy-duty sleeping bag which can be a life saver. Every bush pilot in Alaska carries a couple HD down or similar cold weather sleeping bags in the back of their planes.

 

[Chris]

One thing I do when planning a trip into the snow is to include WOOL wherever possible in survival clothing. Especially things like socks, watch caps and jackets. Cotton socks, shirts, jackets, hats, etc. are the worst in freezing conditions when they get wet, cotton can kill you in such conditions. I taught that to all my CAP Cadets and Boy Scouts. And of course the additional important things like high calorie food. Don't forget a heavy-duty sleeping bag which can be a life saver. Every bush pilot in Alaska carries a couple HD down or similar cold weather sleeping bags in the back of their planes.

X2! Except I learned this about cotton during my time in the Army... It really is the worst in freezing conditions. I suppose that's why Sheep don't have cotton for fur!

 

[Chris]

Oh, I always, always bring my winch when it's a snow trip. But then again, it's attached to the bumper, so I bring it everywhere!

 

[derekmac]

Air down, and don't spin your tires. Slow and steady does it in the deep stuff.

 

[StG58]

One thing I do when planning a trip into the snow is to include WOOL wherever possible in survival clothing. Especially things like socks, watch caps and jackets. Cotton socks, shirts, jackets, hats, etc. are the worst in freezing conditions when they get wet, cotton can kill you in such conditions. I taught that to all my CAP Cadets and Boy Scouts. And of course the additional important things like high calorie food. Don't forget a heavy-duty sleeping bag which can be a life saver. Every bush pilot in Alaska carries a couple HD down or similar cold weather sleeping bags in the back of their planes.

x3! The hiking pack has a four season tent, Army extreme cold weather sleep system (four piece sleeping bag) and this time of year all the clothes get switched out to wool and / or Silk / high tech fabrics. You can go hypothermic in short order if you get wet in surprisingly "warm" temps. Add in the additional calories it takes to phase change snow to water and it's real trouble. Stay dry to stay warm. Wool surplus blankets are a real bonus. The wife has one just for the Jeep. Good stuff there Jerry!

Oh, and don't forget the sunglasses!

 

[StG58]

Oh, here's some other items that come in handy, depending. Pencil, paper, ziplock bags, small nails. A snow probe. A pole from a dome tent works great, and is really cheap. If it looks chancy, get out and probe, it'll save a lot of grief. Travel early, take a long lunch break, and travel late. The snow can get soft in the afternoon. Take a bright colored roll of marking ribbon with you. Mark before the intersection, the intersection and afyer the intersection. Always on the same side of the road. Look behind you, and all around you.