[quote="desert dog"]You forgot the most useful equipment item of all:
Cell phone and charger. You can simply hike a couple miles to a high point and make some calls. CB is useless for stranded alone in the wilderness situation. Most of the experienced members here have been rescued or been part of a rescue, and the cell phone has been the determining factor in coordinating the recovery.
And next on the list: Spare parts and tools. Jeeps can limp back to civilization with an amazing amount of damage if you have the right stuff on-hand.
And the best preventative measure: Don't go winter wheeling in the mountains alone! Mickey, Casaintsfan, and others have had to survive overnight with kids stranded in the mountains. Murphy's law always prevails; we all break down/roll/get permanently stuck - its an expected part of the hobby and happens more frequently in the snow. But why put yourself in a potentially life-threatening survival situation when you could have just went up with a second vehicle? Cant find anyone to snow wheel with, go to hungry valley instead that day

. Years ago a jeep got stuck in a ravine up in the Kern County mountains during a blizzard and recovery was impossible; that jeep had to stay up there until the snow melted! Its easy to become a "statistic" and an example of "what not to do" during the winter in the mountains.
In the summer, it doesnt really matter. Civilization is always within a day's hike away (probably downhill too).[/quote]
I didn't mention cell phone because it's not part of my recovery/survival bag. However, I disagree on how high you rate it's utility. If there's cell phone signal, it's not really wilderness. Having cell signal implies you are within 5 miles of civilization. A lot of places I go won't have signal from the time I leave town until the time I get back. But, I carry 3 forms of communication, with the eprib being the last resort. That thing will work anywhere in the world.
About tools, I agree, but space wise I'm getting limited. I've been looking for an all-in-one kit so I know what's in it and don't have to remember to steal parts of my primary tool chest for offroad trips. If there's a specific model that you think works well, please post it up. On spare parts; that can get challenging from a space and weight perspective. I already have things like duct tape and zip ties in my bag. Anything come to mind that is prone to breaking that is small, light and cheap?
About the dangers of wheeling in the winter by myself: That is exactly why I do it. It's like the difference between taking lessons at a high performance driving school and actually being a racer. Going wheeling with friends is fun and exciting, but not hair-raising. The adrenaline junkie in me needs hair-raising. I do go wheeling with friends too, but my solo night runs in deep snow in the back country are the most satisfying. I do go prepared. I have the survival gear. I know how to use it. It is a test of man and machine over nature. I used to club race liter class bikes. I stopped after a low side at almost 100 mph, a trip to the ICU and 5 surgeries. Snow-wheeling is safer, but still comes close enough in excitement to satisfy the adrenaline fix.