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Three blizzards, two snow caves, many days in the mountains and not quite four summit plateaus later I found myself skiing back to my car in a blizzard. I had just spent five nights alone in a snow cave, fighting high winds, snow, cold and hypothermia.

You can see the entrance to one of my snow caves in the image on this page. Can you imagine how cold and lonely it was for me? I had soloed two steep snow routes on the mountain this particular day and only had this snow cave to come home to.

I also remember thinking how satisfying it was to watch myself becoming who I wanted to be.

Gaining confidence and competence in the mountains. Moving quickly and alone. Living on MY edge. Living that life of adventure that captured my Imagination so long ago. The internal and personal rewards were both inexplicable and outstanding.

I called the Outward Bound School and told them of my adventures. They replied "Great job! You are hired! Welcome aboard!"

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