A year ago I was thawing out and cleaning gear from our inaugural trip into the snow. We had spent a day wandering about in search of a place for the tents, settling on a protected clearing far enough off a trail to be undisturbed, but close enough to the exit that we could make a quick departure, should one be needed. We passed the night laughing, singing, and drinking together around a blazing fire, retiring as the snow storm rolled in. The morning greeted us with a fresh blanket of snow, burying everything nearly to the knee. We rose, played games, and packed out. As I picked through icy laundry at home, my heart was full and my spirit refreshed. I immediately started thinking about the next trip.

The year since that trip has given me a cause that I cannot help but get excited about. I’ve talked with people who tell me how much those pictures inspire them and that makes me want to build something all the bigger. Our group expanded and we set out on another trip in the (relative) warmth of the Outlands summer. We’ve made yet more clothing, collected more reindeer, and learned lessons at every turn. We are in the midsts of planning the second winter trip, pushed later in the season in the hopes of yet deeper snow.

Over the past year, we’ve had conversations ranging from cooking pot design to emergency preparedness. This round, we’ll have a goat with us, breaching the first barrier towards trips on horseback. I’m excited to see what people come up with for the coming trips!

Thank you all for a great year.