Winter Travel Tips

Leave Word

Before you leave, notify a responsible person of:

- Your planned route of travel. Mark it on a map for them
- Your planned departure time
- Your planned time of return. Be sure to check back in!

When someone is overdue, keep calm. Notify the County Sheriff in the trip area. The County Sheriff will then take steps to alert or activate the local search and rescue organization. If the missing person returns later, be sure you advise the Sheriff.

Clothing and Equipment

Layers of clothing which can be adjusted to prevailing conditions are best. A good-quality rain gear is excellent. Aviod tight fitting clothes and boots that may restrict circulation. Take extra socks and gloves or mittens, warm cap, matches in a waterproof container, firestarter, nylon cord, general purpose knife, high-energy food, plastic tarp, space blanket, signal mirror, first aid kit, wide tape for repairs and metal container for melting snow.

Snowmobilers should be certain to have a wrench, pliers, extra spark plugs and drive belt, and a spare ignition key. Experienced snowmobilers carry snowshoes (in case of machine failure), as well as the normal emergency and survival gear for winter.

Don't Get Lost

Aviod getting lost by:

* Taking a good map
* Learning to read it and knowing how to locate your position
* Learning to read a compass and believing it
* Checking weather forecasts and avoiding storms

It is easy to become disoriented in whiteouts and when physically exhausted.