ADVENTURE TRAVEL. PHOTO ESSAY

Hiking Through Ice and Snow

A winter adventure on a cold November day

Just thinking back on that day I’m smiling from the inside. I don’t remember much of the struggles. I just remember the snow, the sparkling snowflakes on the fields, the endless trails through nothing but thick snow, the blue sky, the shining sun, and of course all of our laughs and smiles.

That is how you should feel about a vacation you’ve been on. It was a short holiday if you can even call it a holiday. But those three days were intense. Filled with smiles, reddened cheeks, jumps in the snow, snowball fights, and endless fun in the mountains.

After a solid breakfast, we headed out to the bus station. The glass walls of the station were frozen. Snowflakes were decorating the shelter.

My parents had planned a hike for us they were earlier on in the week when it was snowing. They couldn’t get all the way up due to bad visibility. That wouldn’t be an issue today. The sky was blue and the sun was shining all day long.

We got off the bus at the end of the valley.

It was cold. Like really cold. The sun didn’t reach the bottom of the valley yet and we started our hike in the shadow of the mountain. So far it was a well-maintained trail with just a bit of snow and ice on it.

Some cattle were out on the snow-covered meadow next to us. I wondered if they weren’t freezing. And what on earth they were supposed to be feeding on.

As we hiked up the trail along the mountain river we got to a bench. The bench was occupied. This lovely couple was sitting next to each other patiently waiting for better weather. Or were they in a fight?

As we kept on walking I took a break to catch my breath and look back. The view ahead of you, you’re always aware of. But you often miss stunning views if you don’t stop from time to time and just look back at the trail you came on.

I decided it was a good point to put down my bag, get out the camera, and capture some of this snow hanging off the branches. I’m always amazed to see how much snow tiny branches can hold. Snow can be heavy, I tell you that.

As soon as we got out into the sun, we could see the snow sparkling in the light. I love that. When the snow is powdery and fresh, but untouched. Just shining in the first rays of sunshine. Absolutely beautiful.

But those patches of sunshine didn’t last long and we often got back into the shadow of the mountain walking through the forest. It was like a true winter wonderland. The pine trees were hanging full of snow. The trail was covered in it.

Eventually, we were crossing the river going up on the other side of the mountain. On the sunny side. We took a break at a small cottage. It was closed but we didn’t need food or drinks. We were carrying enough supplies with us.

We just needed a break and used the time to fly our drone and take a shot from the sky.

Then it was time to head further. We still had a long way ahead of us.

Getting back into the forest we had to cross this lovely bridge. Covered in snow and ice it carried us through a magical winter wonderland. The small mountain river was partly frozen, partly still flowing. But the snow dampened all the sounds around us. From the flowing water and also other sounds.

The sun began to peek out more often in between the thick forest.

Behind every other bend, we got another breathtaking view of the landscape.

A large valley opened up ahead of us. A small river leading through was barely visible. Rocks sticking out of the water were covered in snow. The pine trees hanging full of snow.

And then we saw them. Chamois. It’s a goat antelope native to the alpine mountains in Europe. My dad spotted the first one. He got the eyes of an eagle. Especially when in the mountains. He’ll be the first one to spot a deer in the forest, an alpine ibex on the steep rocky slopes, or a marmot running across the meadow.

So, he did today. At first, he just saw one. Then a few more. We got to see them as well after he pointed them out on the snowy slope ahead of us. I got my camera out while the others used binoculars to get a better vision of the animals.

I could feel we were getting into higher elevations. The air got thinner. I had to stop more often to catch a breath even though there was no sweating today. Despite all the strenuous trails, the cold temperatures kept our bodies chilled.

More tiny streamlets coming off the mountain had to be crossed. Whenever I stopped to catch a breath I used the time to look around. Looking at those streams I could see the ice from far.

I even spotted a waterfall. Completely frozen.

Eventually, we got over the last crest. A mountain saddle was our destination for the day. Even though we were out in the sun now, it was freezing. A chilly wind was funneling through in between the mountain peaks.

No, I wasn’t exaggerating when I pulled the fabric of my turtleneck sweater above my nose. I just don’t have a beard to keep my face warm.

We still decided to have our lunch break up here. Eating the packed sandwiches and drinking some warm tea while enjoying the views across the next valley.

But we didn’t hang around for too long. The way back down was long. And icy. Going up in snow is one thing. But walking down when most of the trail is frozen up and covered in ice is something different.

Let’s put it that way. I fell more than once. And I slid more than once for over two meters along the hiking trail. I only did once a near split in the 20-inch wide trail with the right leg pointing downward and the left leg being somewhere behind me.

Luckily the snow on the left and right of the trail was powdery. Most of the time when I felt like I was going to slip and fall, I just leaned to one side and softly touched down in a bed of snow.

But we also learned something new on this hike. Our friends were better equipped. They had bought something just days before our hike that made sliding on ice non-existent.

It’s a simple version of climbing irons used on glaciers. Just that it’s only chains you wrap around your shoe with a few sharp triangles preventing you from slipping on hard snow and frozen hiking trails. I didn’t even know about the existence of such.

Now, I know. And now I’ll know what I will be wearing on the next hike in the snow.

However, we all got back down to the valley. Some faster, some slower. Some were more exhausted than others. Some fell more, some fell less. But we were all happy when we finally sat on the bus on the way back to our holiday flat again.

We were tired. But it was a happy tired.

Fresh air, lots of sunshine and so much snow make you tired. But your body needs that kind of tired from time to time.

“When it snows you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.” — Unknown

Here you can read about day one and day three of the weekend trip. Or check out these articles about previous adventures in the snow:

Join my email list here if you would like to read more photo essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writer’s stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).