I’ve been thinking of graduating from three season backpacker for a while now and I think this year is the year.

Rather than asking about gear or just for general advice (I’ve lurked long enough to have heard most of it I think), I’d rather hear your first hand experiences of your first time. And I’m not talking a dusting in shoulder seasons, I’m talking winter camping on top of snow.

When/where did you go? Did you go with someone more experienced or was it up to you? What about it was harder than expected? What was easier? What mistakes did you make, and what were your successes? What do you do differently now?

This sub is so full of general advice and theory. Let’s hear some stories!