Steve, you are absolutely right, I was thinking more of a gear oriented checklist, but awareness of your surroundings probably should be at the top of the list.

misnshoe-Rick, Steve and JIm are 3 of the most experienced winter campers here. I am a rank beginner compared to them. So, when they suggest something, take it seriously.

Our Canadian friends, such as Rick, go out in really cold weather, much colder than what we usually see in California.

We all have gear lists posted and a number of trip reports-mine are all in Yosemite in the Badger Pass area. If you go back about 3 or 4 years, you should find mine, plus the others.

Also, there are some posts that link to stories about lost hikers, avalanche accidents and serious judgments in error that have led to fatalities. We post those so everyone can learn from others' mistakes and hopefully will not repeat them.