Snow Skills

The Boy Scout’s motto is Be Prepared and it’s a pretty good one if you’re going to be heading out into the woods in the winter. If you’re heading into the woods, you should always go with a purpose and that would include preparing for the possibility that things won’t go exactly the way you expect them to. Here’s a short list of items that would fit the Be Prepared mantra and are easy to carry in your pocket:

• A jackkife: a $20 model will do, but you don’t want a cheap one. Go with an authentic Swiss Army brand model and you can’t go wrong. If you don’t mind carrying the additional weight, a multi-tool (Leatherman) is an excellent alternative.
• A lighter: an inexpensive $2 model will do fine. Matches will work, too, but the lighter is more durable. Fires can be life-savers.
• A whistle: $5 will get you a plastic model that’s durable, light, and can put out a sound that will carry further than your voice.
• A watch: a $10 model with a plastic or fabric (not leather) strap will work best. Knowing how much time has passed and how much more time you have will allow you to make good decisions.
• Two velcro straps: $8 at an outdoor sporting goods store like EMS or REI. It’s very, very handy to have the ability to strap something together quickly.
• 50 feet of parachute cord: $3 at a department store or hardware store. String is too weak, rope is too heavy. Cord has a million uses.

Put these items in a sturdy (freezer-use quality) zip-lock back and carry them in a side pocket of your outer jacket. These are the bare essentials, but with them you’ll have more options in the unlikely event you need to react to a situation.