HOOK

wasn't long before I was strapping in to those snow- shoes and going up my first winter peak, Lower Wolf- jaw Mountain. Though a steep challenge and full of taking breaks, the snow was well packed, the weather overcast but quiet, and I was welcomed to a view of notable New York mountains like Marcy and Whiteface once I was at the summit. Plenty of fun was had on the descent, too, where on clean, open sec3ons of trail, there were perfect opportuni3es to get off my feet and slide down, similar to glissading (controlled slid- ing) done commonly on bigger peaks. Naturally it was only a couple of months later when I spent my first night sleeping outdoors during the win- ter. On a quick weekend trip con- nec3ng trails and peaks in the Lake George Wild Forest, I set up camp below Black Mountain, at a desig- nated site next to Black Mountain Pond. Wood was dry enough for a fire, and I had plenty of layers and gear to remain comfortable. Truly, the hardest part about winter camp- ing is finding the courage to finally get out from the sleeping bag in the morning, but it helps to get fully dressed — mi4ens, coat, and all — while s3ll inside, where your body heat has helped create a wonderful li4le cocoon. My second 3me came the following winter, when I A fun perk of winter camping is the ability to bring in a wider assortments of food that may not spoil as fast as it would in the summer; whether a couple cold slices of pizza, or an assortment fit for a charcuterie board, the morale boost of feel-good-food goes a long way 16 HOOK

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