HOOK

18 HOOK Winter brings out the little kid in me who loved to build forts in his front lawn in, because deep down, I'm still that little kid longing to play in the snow. was back up in the High Peaks, hiking in to cross Tabletop Mountain off my list for my third winter peak. Snow fell for the en3re hike into camp, and most of the next day on the way up to the mountain. A fun perk of winter camping is the abil- ity 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 char- cuterie board, the morale boost of feel-good-food goes a long way when it's below freezing in the woods. What is it about winter? It's not an easy season to put into words, especially when it comes to recrea3ng during the coldest months of the year. It's a whole new medium of ge5ng outside, and a whole new adventure. Winter turns familiar trails and rivers into completely different landscapes. Some of the draw lies in the adventure of a fresh landscape, as well as the privilege of visi3ng places many won't. I like doing exci3ng things, and jumping in a fresh pile of snow to fan my arms and legs in snow angel fashion is a sure boost of serotonin. Had winter re- mained just another season, I'd be missing the amazing memories of cold, sweaty hikes, le$over pizza by a fire, and dreamy winter sunsets atop Sawteeth Mountain, with blowing snow and golden hour clouds. At the core of it, winter brings out the li4le kid in me who loved to build forts in his front lawn in Western New York, because deep down, I'm s3ll that li4le kid longing to play in the snow.

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