[Mike P.]

The thermos with something warm to drink is great, a real pick me up & better than a cold drink on a hot day.

Glove liners are great too, suprised that thermometer picture has bare fingers, even a couplef of minutes with bare fingers can be tough, thin glove liners allow you to keep something on your fingers & you can still do zippers, buckles & tie laces. if your next layer is some type of fleece or wool glove, practice doing some things with them on. If zippers are hard to grab, add or modify zipper pulls so they are easier to operate with gloves. (This should be a consideration when buying gear too)

Carry extra lash straps so you can carry things on your pack like snowshoes.

While in summer poles are a big help (but some may debate this or how big & complain they are a pain or noisy) they are a even greater help in winter when you may not want to put all your weight on a foot that might be on ice. Can also be used to knock snow off branches in front of you before you knock if off with your head & have it go down your back. (wearing a hood prevents this but uphill may leave you sweating)