Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Recreation

Enjoy your Winter Outdoor Activities………

BE PREPARED!

• Winter-time weather can be unpredictable with strong winds, blizzards, heavy snows, and extreme cold.

• The weather and snow conditions can change within hours leading to un-maintained trails; avalanches; wet, sticky snow, or icy conditions.

• For you these conditions can lead to; exhaustion, hypothermia, over exertion, accidents and even death.

• Before you travel, have you…
  • Checked the weather forecast by listening to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, and television for the latest winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories?
  • Check that your vehicle is fueled up and mechanically operational?
  • Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes?
  • Take along communications- cell phone, two-way radio, etc?
  • Dressed appropriately in warm, water proof clothing?

•  Carry a WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT with items such as:
  • blankets/sleeping bags;
  • flashlight with extra batteries;
  • first-aid kit;
  • knife;
  • high-calorie, non-perishable food;
  • extra clothing to keep dry;
  • water-proof matches (fire starting, melt snow for drinking water);
  • shovel;
  • tool kit;
  • tow rope;
  • booster cables;
  • water;
  • compass and area/road maps.

• Forest snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are periodically maintained YET winter conditions can alter their condition in a few hours. Watch out for un-maintained and unsafe trail conditions such as on slides, trees across trails, icy or melted sections, and avalanches

• Report any unsafe trail conditions to your local Forest Service Office.

Enjoy your outdoor winter activity on

 the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Source of information : A GUIDE TO SURVIVAL
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Weather Service; Warning and Forecast Branch; November 1991;  NOAA/FEMA/The American Red Cross