Winter Safety

• Map and compass
• Flashlight
• Matches, fire starter and knife
• Extra food and water
• Ski repair kit, “ski tip, wire, screwdriver”
• Wool clothing, at least on and preferably two layers from head to toe
• Raingear, waterproof parka and rain pants
• Extra clothing (wool sweaters, socks, gloves, etc.)
• Ground insulation (a small square of insulated pad big enough to sit on)
• First-aid kit
• Sunglasses and sun lotion

Layers of clothing which can be adjusted to prevailing conditions are best. A good-quality rain gear is excellent. Avoid 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 wrench pliers, extra sparkplugs and drive belt, and a spare ignition key. Carry snowshoes (in case of machine failure), as well as the normal emergency and survival gear for winter.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

• Battery and electrical system: A battery that’s 100-percent efficient at 80 degrees will be only 64-percent efficient at 30 degrees, and only 33-percent efficient at 10 degrees.
• Fuel and ignition systems: How long has it been since your vehicle had a tune-up? Check the entire exhaust system for leaks.
• Cooling systems: Be sure that the system is clean, that you have adequate antifreeze protection, and that all hoses and belts are in good condition.
• Oil: Clean oil of the correct weight, or viscosity, is important to cold weather starting.
• Tires: A minimum of 5/32" of tread is necessary to provide good traction. Also check inflation. Radial "all-weather" tires are recommended. Studded snow tires provide better traction on snow, while chains are best for stopping and starting in severe snow and ice conditions.
• Windshield wipers and lights: Keep plenty of windshield-washer antifreeze solution in the reservoir.
• Winter survival kit: Create a winter survival kit. Consider the following items:
  • Blankets, sleeping bags, or something to keep you warm.
  • Extra stocking caps and mittens for passengers, and extra outer clothing.
  • Matches, candles, 2 cans of Sterno (Portable heating fuel for cooking + heat).
  • Two three-pound coffee cans, or the like one for excrement and the other to hold candle or Sterno.
  • Food supply (high-calorie, nonperishable food such as canned nuts, dried fruit, "Trail mix").
  • Liquids (place in thermos to avoid freezing).
  • Paper towels
  • Small sack of sand or kitty litter for traction.
  • Tire chains (correct size!)
  • Small plastic tarp or blue foam ground cover for putting on tire chains.
  • Shovel (small collapsible type or small snow shovel).
  • Windshield scraper/brush for snow removal.
  • Portable radio with extra batteries.
  • Lock de-icer.
  • Windshield cover (help avoid scraping windshield, easier snow removal).
  • Extra windshield washer antifreeze solution.
  • Map(s) of area you will be traveling.

Willamette National Forest roads are not maintained for winter travel. Many roads become impassable due to snow, ice, and fallen trees and debris during the colder months. As a reminder, snow and ice accumulation on Forest Service Roads is typically greatest in shaded areas and in places that face, or have a northerly aspect. 

Roads to Sno-Parks and other winter destinations may be plowed periodically. However, road conditions may often be very difficult even after plowing. The typical standard for higher elevation, unpaved roads is single-lane with turnouts and a 2-inch cushion of snow/ice on the roadway to protect the gravel surface.

Be prepared! High-clearance vehicles with 4-wheel drive and good mud/snow tires are best. Other vehicles, especially RVs, may find the going very difficult at times. Be especially careful going downhill when there is packed snow and ice. Call your local Forest Service office if you have questions.

Road Conditions

Frostbite

Frostbite can appear as a robust reddened area, often mistaken as a bite. However, it is body tissue that is frozen by severe weather conditions. Most often frostbite affects exposed parts such as fingers, toes, nose, chin, and earlobes. Frostbite occurs frequently when temperatures drop below freezing and there is prolonged exposure to these temperatures. Signs and symptoms of frostbite include a loss of feeling and a pale appearance of the affected extremity. Treatment of frostbite includes seeking medical attention and a slow rewarming of the affected areas.

Hypothermia 

Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold, aggravated by wet, wind, and exhaustion. Your best protection against hypothermia is to wear wool and/or other types of (non-cotton) clothing that will wick moisture away from your skin. Layer to adjust to changes in temperature. Carry rain gear, and extra warm clothing and wear stable footwear such as hiking boots.

Prevention

• Stay Dry. Wet clothes lose about 90% of their insulating value. Make sure your rain gear works.
• Beware of the Wind. Wind carries heat away by driving cold air through clothing. Wear a wind breaker. Protect your skin.
• Prevent Exhaustion. Exercise drains your energy reserves. Stop and rest frequently while you still have energy. If hypothermia develops, STOP TRAVELING. Help the victim reserve energy and heat. Send for help.
• Eat and Drink. Drink and eat throughout the day. Dehydration and insufficient energy lead to fatigue and depression, poor circulation and lousy decisions.
• End Exposure. Seek shelter if conditions are bad. If you can't stay warm and dry, turn back. Give up your objective, not your life!
• Watch for Symptoms. Watch for these symptoms: uncontrollable shivering; vague, slurred speech; memory lapses; incoherence, or irrational behavior; fumbling hands; frequent stumbling; drowsiness or exhaustion; hallucinations; blueness of skin; dilation of pupils; weak or irregular pulse; unconsciousness.

Take Action - Believe the Symptoms, Not the Victim

• Prevent further heat loss. Get the victim out of the wind and precipitation. Change out of wet clothes and into dry, warm clothes. NEVER give the victim alcoholic beverages.
• Increase heat production. If the victim is conscious, give warm, sweet drinks. Keep the semi-conscious victim awake. Put the victim in a warm sleeping bag. Attempt to warm the victim by providing heat to the chest area. Do NOT attempt to warm extremities first.
• Seek medical help. Heart and lung failure are significant threats to hypothermia victims

Keep calm. Decide on a plan. Trust your compass. Backtrack if possible. If impractical, remain in place. Stay together, if possible. If not, send at least two people for help.

Don’t abandon your skis. Build a fire and shelter. Stay warm by getting out of the wind; insulate yourself with a parka and other clothing (use insulated pad, branches or skis between you and the snow).

Mark your base camp so it is visible from the air.

Distress Signals - three puffs of smoke, three blasts of a whistle, three shouts, three flashes of light, three of anything that will attract attention.

Avalanches are common in the Cascade mountains and it's absolutely critical that people know how to prepare for them, what gear to bring, know where to find forecasts, and generally stay current on avalanche education.

• Check the Avalanche Forecast if you're traveling in the backcountry.
• Carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear.
• Be aware of the terrain and take avalanche training courses.

It is important to know that a slope does not have to be steep for an avalanche to occur. Many avalanches occur on slopes of less than 30 degrees. Relatively small avalanches kill 42% of their victims.

Snowmobiling

• Snowmobilers should respect uphill policies, yield to non-motorized recreationists and snowcats, and maintain the ability to stop.
• Stay out of wilderness areas, big game winter range, and other special areas where snowmobiles are not allowed, and know the rules for off-trail snowmobile travel.
• Learn more about snowmobiling on the Willamette National Forest.

Suggestions for Safe Snowmobiling

• Know Yourself: This means knowing your physical limitations. A mechanical breakdown may mean an arduous trudge through deep snow for you.
• Know Your Machine: Keep it in top-notch condition and carry spare parts and tools.
• Know Your Supplies: Carry extra warm and windproof clothing, first aid kit, compass, map, snowshoes or skis, spare food pack -- all the necessities of a good survival kit.
• Know Your Route: Don’t travel alone; a party of at least three is preferable. Be extra cautious of ice travel. Frozen lakes and streams can be treacherous and deadly. Your machine can smash through slush ice hidden under snow.
• Know Your Weather: Hold off if you know a storm is on the way. Don’t underestimate frigid weather, your speed will exaggerate it and can cause frostbite.
• Have Someone Know Your Plans: Inform a responsible person where you are going, and when you’ll return ~ just in case. Please sign the trail registers provided.

Natural fire starters can be found in the forest including: pitch found on damaged trees and dead fuzzy moss taken from the dry side of trees. Candles make a good fire starter and commercial fire starters can be purchased from outdoor stores. Always keep your matches in a dry place (plastic zip lock bag).

The Willamette National Forest’s Winter Recreation Areas are used by a range of visitors including snowmobilers, Nordic and Alpine skiers, snowshoers, dog sledders, skijorers, and people just enjoying the winter scenery. 

Practice common courtesy so that all trail users can safely enjoy their winter outing:

• Share the trail and be courteous.
• Yield to downhill and faster traffic. Prepare for blind corners.
• Operate snowmobiles at a safe speed at all times.
• Do not operate snowmobiles or other over-the-snow vehicles in excess of 5 MPH in or around designated Sno-Parks.
• When using machines on shared corridors; preserve ski tracks if possible and cross ski trails at right angles.
• Avoid snowshoeing or walking on ski trails. This ruins the track for other skiers.
• When stopped, move off the trail.
• Learn and follow local regulations regarding dogs. Some routes are more suitable for dog sledding and skijoring than others. Consider leaving your dog at home. Dogs ruin the ski track, present hazards to down slope skiers and their waste can ruin somebody else’s winter outing. Plus, your dog may not be used to or capable of winter country travel. Practice principles of canine courtesy in snow country.
  • Note: The Deschutes National Forest, our neighbor to the east, has some special regulations for dogs, including dog sledding and skijoring.
• When skiing on shared corridors, ski single file and keep poles and arms out of the way of passing over-the-snow vehicles.
• When crossing plowed roads, cross directly at right angles after making certain there is no potential interference to road traffic.
• It is unlawful to operate over-the-snow vehicles on designated ski trails.

Travel and Camp on Safe, Durable Surfaces

On the Trail:

• Stay on deep snow cover whenever possible; in muddy spring conditions, stay on snow or walk in the middle of the trail to avoid creating new trails and damaging trailside plants.
• Travel and camp away from avalanche paths, cornices, steep slopes and unstable snow.

At Camp:

• Choose a site on durable surfaces – snow, rock or mineral soil – not tundra or other fragile vegetation.
• Camp at a safe, stable site out of view of heavily-traveled routes and trails.
• Keep pollutants out of water sources by camping at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from recognizable lakes and streams – consult your map.

Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Pack out all trash, yours and others. Burying trash and litter in the in the snow or ground is unacceptable.
• Pick up all food scraps, wax shavings, and pieces of litter.
• Pack out solid human waste. In lieu of packing out, cover and disguise human waste in deep snow away from travel routes and at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from water sources.
• Use toilet paper and wipes sparingly. Pack them out.
• If necessary, use small amounts of biodegradable soap for dishes. Strain dishwater into a sump hole.

Leave What you Find

• Inspect your campsite for trash and evidence of your stay. Dismantle all snow shelters, igloos or wind breaks. Naturalize the area before you leave.
• Leave all plants, rocks, animals, historical and cultural artifacts as you find them.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Keep loud voices and noises to a minimum.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires cause lasting impacts in the backcountry. Always carry a lightweight camp stove for cooking.
• Use downed wood if you can find it. Put out all fires completely. Consider using a fire pan or blanket to collect ash and debris. Widely scatter cool ashes.
• Do not cut or break limbs off live, dead or downed trees.

Respect Wildlife

• Winter is an especially vulnerable time for animals. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed wildlife or leave food behind to be eaten.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely

For More Leave No Trace Information and Materials

For educational, master course, materials, partnership, and National Outdoor Leadership School information, visit the National Leave No Trace website.

Be alert to prevent

• Dog fights
• Collisions with skiers, sledders, and snowmobilers
• Aggressive behavior toward other parties

Remember your dog's well-being

• Deep snow and long days can exhaust a dog that's not used to snow country travel.
• Dogs, like humans, can become dehydrated. Make sure your dog gets water during daylong outings.
• Snow packed between the pads of a dog's paws can be painful and can cause injury.

An uncontrolled dog is better left at home

• Keep your dog close to you (within 15 feet) and under reliable voice control at all times.

Dog excrement

• Dog excrement remains in the snow all winter. Remove it to a sanitary location.

The trail and parking facilities are marked with standard international activity symbols and winter activity colors. Different symbols denote the various winter activities including Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, Alpine skiing, snowplay, all-terrain vehicle use (ATV’s) and parking areas. When using the trail and parking facilities, it is important to read the posted symbols. Be aware of the colors denoting the appropriate use for the snow trails.

• ORANGE: motorized trail (Snowmobile, ATV, etc…)
• BLUE: Non-motorized trail (Ski, snowshoe, etc…)

Trail markers are posted so that they are visible along the entire route. However, in those locations where winter trails follow obvious road corridors, markers are less frequent. Changing weather and other conditions can reduce visibility to a few feet making markers hard to see. Be prepared to backtrack if you can no longer see the trail. Remember trails within designated wilderness are not marked with trail markers and therefore require both good route finding skills and extensive experience in winter travel.

Remember trails within designated wilderness are not marked with trail markers and therefore require both good route finding skills and extensive experience in winter travel.