You never forget your first. 

Snow camping, that is. I remember shoving my regular tent pegs into the soft snow, only to have them blown away with the slightest breeze, leaving the vestibule flapping around in the snow. I shivered in my three-season tent as the wind shook through the night, barely sleeping a wink.

When dawn finally broke a wave of relief came with it, I felt accomplished for surviving the night. The thought was momentary, looking around my sleeping bag I noticed a thin layer of snow over all of my things…

It wasn’t all bad, seeing the full moon sparkling off the snow, the entire valley twinkling is forever etched into my memories. Those final turns down to camp at sunset, the pink mountain hues that will always draw me back for another night in the snow.

I learnt a lot of lessons that night and have learnt many more since. We’ve all been beginners at some point and whilst I believe the greatest way to learn is to go out there and experience for yourself, I’ve made these mistakes so you won’t have to!

Read on at We Are Explorers