We pick the back first speed sign in or out of the city on oposite side of rescue incomming so the rescuers can see the markings when driving.
You mark your sign and direction number of lines under represent group size and threat lvl once through town. Since pre planed routes there are already mainly set parameters. Knowing if someone has been passed saves time on searching. The marks go on every stop you make overnight or if no signs tree bark marking or stone pile with tiny flagging tape to get attention. Once you see sign you know you have to back track or if on other side thier entry point you know they are In town. Depending on hostility you can choose to wait outside and leave your own mark so when they see yours they know you are near and go by preset directions of mostly likely places you would camp waiting for them.
As you go towards them you do same markings so you don’t pass each other by much of at all.
It looks like graphiti so no one pays attention.
If in heavy snow area you might want to consider a mode of over snow transport ie snow shoes or x country skis. Waist deep snow is impossible to walk through for long distance. My university has a shooting team and we had a storage onsite for weapons for this purpose. I don’t know if this is even a thing offered any more. Training for winter biathlon?
On a side note I just got a thank you from a friend’s daughter who is finishing her first year in regards to the instapot electric pressure cooker I gave her with recipe book. Easy quick cheap meals, boils water for tea and coffee. The favorite was pop corn and french fries.