Survival tools for winter

[RossO]

Alright all, a buddy and myself are wanting to go winter exploring the 1000’s of acres of state land in northern Minnesota.  We both have defenders, his being a HD10 XT Cab and mine a HD10 Xmr with a cab and heater. He is running Apache tracks and I’m running Camso.  My question is, what do we absolutely NEED to bring with to help get us out of any situation we find ourselves in. 
 

Thanks

Edited January 24, 2023 by RossO

[ArcticHD8XTCab]

A few things I keep in my machine when running tracks: 

• Rubber mallet 
• 24"pinch bar 
  • These are for breaking ice build up around the tracks and CV boots 
• Folding Shovel 
• Breaker Bar
• Spare Tire
• Small Toboggan 
  • If your tracks come off or break you can put the assembly on top of the toboggan.  
• 200 piece stanley tools kit
  • make sure you have torq drives & metric in whatever kit you bring. 
• 2 x 30ft tow strap 
• Jerry Can of Gas
• Tarp 
• Coolant 
• Off road jack or bottle jack with lots of 4x4 blocks
• Coleman Single Burner Dual Fuel 
• Knife/Leatherman 
• GPS with InReach w/charger 
• Phone Charger 

[RossO]

Thanks for the reply!  You listed all great things and most of the things listed I would have never even thought of.

Thanks again!

[honda400ex2003]

i would also add:

 

dry socks and gloves

some dry food pouches/bags in case of over night staying somewhere

zip ties

wire

rope

not just tow ropes but kinetic ropes so that you can get a little momentum to help pull and no initial shock of the pull.

a striker, lighter, matches or flint for lighting a fire

towels, paper and cotton. can be used to wipe hands, start fires, etc.

flares would be helpful

flags to stick in the ground would be helpful if needing to mark something or a path out

flash lights

dry bag or a heat bag, the aluminum reflector style ones

carabiner clips

just a few more things i carry

steve

[A hunt 2 remember]

Is there no need for a chainsaw/axe in Northern Minnesota? As for the GPS... I've mounted a Garmin base unit on my dash that powers my Montanna and allows me to run it.... AND keep it powered..... also remember.... a 30 minute flare will damn near start a sunken log..... I've also added a couple accessory plugs for odds and ends.... plus a come along.... and BE SAFE!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RossO]

I do usually carry a hatchet and machete, but I think I'll definitely be bringing the chainsaw as well.

 

I really appreciate every ones comments!  Makes me feel a little bit better about going into the snow covered wilderness with 2000lb machines on tracks that were never intended to be on tracks haha

[honda400ex2003]

m12 hatchet from milwaukee or something similar is a sweet little setup for carrying.  I carry one in the summer on the defender.  

steve

[Booter]

Not much to add other than a battery jumper like a NOCO. The standard batteries in the Canams are not the strongest for their size and in really cold conditions might need a bit of oomph if they have to be started cold. I live near International Falls, it does get kinda cold here…..

[RossO]

16 hours ago, Booter said:

Not much to add other than a battery jumper like a NOCO. The standard batteries in the Canams are not the strongest for their size and in really cold conditions might need a bit of oomph if they have to be started cold. I live near International Falls, it does get kinda cold here…..

yup, definitely carry a NOCO jumper with me at all times.    

[Steelslinger]

On 1/23/2023 at 7:09 PM, RossO said:

Alright all, a buddy and myself are wanting to go winter exploring the 1000’s of acres of state land in northern Minnesota.  We both have defenders, his being a HD10 XT Cab and mine a HD10 Xmr with a cab and heater. He is running Apache tracks and I’m running Camso.  My question is, what do we absolutely NEED to bring with to help get us out of any situation we find ourselves in. 
 

Thanks

Just so you know, in Minnesota, an ATV (class 1 or 2) is no longer classified as an ATV when tracks are installed. They become ORVs (think Jeeps and trucks) and are no longer allowed on ATV trails. Basically only private land, frozen lakes or ORV trails/roads.

[Wallace]

These lists are great, I would add a snatch block, recovery strap and a signal mirror. You'd be amazed at how far that reflected light will carry. 

[JMax]

I saw a gizmo for about $150 that turns your cell phone into a Sat phone. I was surprised that monthly plans were fairly cheap with no contracts, pay as you go. I think one would be handy out in the back country, especially this time of year.