Winter hiking

Hiking solo in the snow in winter can be a very rewarding experience. While walking in the snow animals get wet fur and each animal gives off a different odor. Coyotes, deer and bear all have odors specific to them. A coyote has a musty smell while a deer has a sharp simi sweet odor. Bears have a ransid ketone odor from the metabolism of the yellow fat in winter. When you hike solo you can move quietly enough to be within the smell of wild animals. If you hike in groups the animals see and hear you long before you see them. But if you hike in winter youmust take every possible safety precaution. I leave a detailed map of my route and carry a locator beacon, a GPS as well as a SAT phone. I also carry a pack with extra winter supplies (dry clother, etc).