Four-wheeling is a sport for all seasons. With the proper preparation, you can enjoy the backcountry no matter what the weather has to offer, even in the winter. Four-wheel drive allows you to go farther than you could on foot. Winter four-wheeling can be a rewarding experience and offers challenges unique to the cooler times of year. However, this part of the sport requires unique prior planning to be sure that you're prepared for any contingency. To do less is courting disaster. This means further into the fun zone and further from help. Preparing for a trip can be broken down into three segments: preparing the people; preparing the vehicle; and preparing for the unexpected. Here are a few tips on preparing yourself and your passengers' trip, including your trail rig for a winter trip.
Vehicle preparation begins with the simple winterizing you should do at the beginning of the winter season. Your coolant should be changed and anti-freeze added at a 50/50 mix for protection down to -34 degrees Fahrenheit. In severe cold, you can even go to a 70/30 coolant-to-water mix for protection down to -84 degrees Fahrenheit. Engine oil should be changed to a lighter multi-weight such as 5W30 for the winter. To prevent fuel line freeze-up, use gas line drier at every fill-up and even put a little in your spare fuel cans if you're carrying any for the trip. Also, be sure to put antifreeze windshield washer fluid in the reservoir, replace your battery if it's old or weak, install new winter wiper blades, and check for a good working heater. Be sure to check your winch, locking hubs, and such for proper function. Finally, be sure your tires are in top shape with good tread depth. Better yet, use new M/S or special winter tires for your snow running.
You can also consider tire studs and siping of the tires for added snow and ice traction.
Preparing the people is much the same as preparing the vehicle. You need to gear up and fuel up. First, prepare those who are staying behind by leaving a note saying where you are going, who you are going with (never go alone), and when you'll be back. Next, pack your gear. Be sure to include sunglasses to avoid snow blindness. In the clothing department, always wear layers, and be sure to start with a wicking layer close to your skin and a waterproof outer layer to keep you dry. Snow pants and hooded jackets are best. Always carry good gloves and a head covering. Body heat is lost through your extremities with 65 percent of heat loss through the head and a large portion through the hands and feet too. Snowmobile boots are good for those times you need to get out in the snow. Even if you can't drive with them on, wear them while walking in the snow. Finally, be sure to eat a good meal before beginning a winter trip. Food is the fuel you need to keep warm. Put off your diet for a day and stoke the fires that will keep you warm and toasty on the trail.
After preparing the people, it's time to prepare for the worst (vehicle-wise). Always carry your tool kit and the spare parts you think you might need. If you've needed a part or tool on summer runs, be sure to carry it in the winter. In the winter, add extra items to your list such as an ice scraper, a snow shovel, and a ground tarp (it has many uses). Also, be sure to take along one sleeping bag and a change of dry clothes including socks and gloves per occupant (carry them in plastic to keep them dry). While you may not plan to stay overnight, the sleeping bags and extra clothes could come in handy if you break down. In addition, if someone is injured, a sleeping bag is a good way to keep them warm and out of shock. Always carry a map, a compass, and even a GPS unit so you can find your way back even in bad weather. Also, be sure to have CB radios for every vehicle in the group and a few handheld CBs. You can even bring your cell phone (don't forget the charge cord), but don't expect it to always work in the backcountry. Since keeping warm and hydrated is so important, always carry a hot drink in a thermos, plenty of water (cold weather can be even drier than hot desert weather), food with a lot of calories, and a small stove to heat your meals. Also carry a good knife, a hatchet for firewood, and matches to start a fire. Finally, carry signaling devices such as a mirror, flares, and a light. (Always carry a spare light and spare batteries).
We all know that no matter how prepared we and our trail rigs are, things can still go wrong. You can break an axle or worse in winter as well as in summer. If this happens, you should remember to keep calm and look at your survival options. First, is anyone hurt? If so, treat them immediately and keep them warm. The slightest injury can become a major concern when it's cold. If you've carried the supplies listed and done the things above, you should be fine. A few points to remember are to drink water often. Cold weather can dehydrate you just as much as being in the hot desert. If you're out of water, don't eat snow to quench your thirst. Eating snow drops your body's core temperature. If everyone is out of water then melt some snow for water and drink that. Also, don't drink alcohol. This, too, can dehydrate you. Be sure to eat often because your body burns a lot of calories when it's trying to keep you warm. If everyone is stuck due to a storm or other reason, be sure to stay with your rigs unless it is dangerous to do so. Remember, it is easier for rescuers to find a vehicle than an individual in the snow. Also, a closed-top trail rig offers shelter from the elements. If you are working to fix a problem and know you'll need to stay overnight, be sure to set up camp early before the sun drops. Also, don't camp in open areas where there might be avalanche zones, and remember that trees offer shelter from the wind.
Try to do any work required during the warmer sunny hours, but be sure you do not overexert yourself. It is important that you avoid exhaustion and sweating because these factors can lead to hypothermia. To prevent hypothermia, stop and warm up immediately if you become too cold. Also, if you need to send someone for help, be sure they do not become a victim of the elements.
If you must leave your rig, you can build a snow cave for shelter. This will require a small opening dug out of the snow just big enough for you and your companions. Be sure to include a low, vented door and vent the roof. Don't build a fire inside your snow cave because it will melt the snow and may result in carbon dioxide buildup too. With a good snow cave, you will be assured of a constant 30 degrees to sleep in. Out in the open, temperatures can reach minus factors that make survival increasingly difficult. But above all, your rig offers good wind protection and is easy to find, so do not leave it unless you have to.
Simple preparation and common sense will ensure that your winter four-wheeling adventures will always end in tales of fun and excitement rather than a tragic news headline. So have fun with both the planning and the execution of your next snow trip.