Two of us spent the night out with one sled stuck in a shallow pond--big spring storm with limited cell service so we rode two up and hiked until we found a signal and a dead tree. My biggest concern was a wet left foot--so being wet was my big deal.
1. Found a dead tree--one of us cut limbs and the other dug a snow pit. We used the sled and a small tarp as a wind break. The snow was too light to pack into a roof so we used branches/bows to cover the pit.
2. Used a Tampon to start the fire--make sure you have a long string fastened securely to soak and retrieve. We kept the other Tampons in reserve. BTW, Tampons are excellent first aid bandages.
3. Limited cell and GPS because of the heavy snow fall. We finally got to 911 but the operator was useless--she finally gave us the Grand County Sheriff phone number and were then able to contact S&R with the GPS co-ordinates.
What I carried in my back pack: (2)50 gallon HD trash bags to act as additional clothing wind proofing, stainless cup to help start the fire and later to boil water for bullion, FRP radios to talk to S&R when they got close, (2) space blankets, extra socks and gloves in zip lock bags, trail bars, flash light, whistle, compass, 50' of parachute cord, metal avy shovel and saw, fleece hat, reading glasses, pencil and pad, water proof matches and Bic lighter, fire sticks, safety orange surveyors tape and extra large orange laundry bag to act as a flag, rigging knife on a lanyard, small first aid kit.
Things we leaned: Lots of extra batteries, carry 2 aluminum pie plates to act as fire reflectors as the fire burned lower in the snow, large zip lock bags to use as foot protectors between wet boot liners and dry socks, hand held chain saw makes a better saw, carry all the Colorado Sheriff's phone number so as to not rely on 911 since the Sheriff dispatches S&R, own a High Jacker to get out of a jam, never ride with only 2--its either 3 of us or none, new roll of TP, longer tow rope at least 25'.
Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year
BCB