The trip begins in earnest as we are forced to put snow chains on. This brilliant decision was made by the authorities following four separate accidents in the few miles leading up to this point, where black ice had been a problem. Ironically, there was no more black ice for the rest of the way. Barry, always the anti-Mike, had just purchased chains touted as 'Easy On/Easy Off' for his new car. In fact, they were so Easy Off that the left one fell off by itself after driving only about 100 feet. We drove about 5 miles before we realized this fact..	We finally arrive at the destination and park, though it was hard to tell the difference between being stationary and Barry's overly cautious slow driving. (Just kidding Barry- sort of). Anil, Barry, Doug and Tom unload the vehicles in preparation for the journey ahead, while BerrisBob documents the confusion.
The ensuing hike through the scenic landscape is very peaceful and mostly uneventful, save an occasional slip or minor fall caused by awkward footing of the snowshoes on some steep side slopes. Near our final destination for the day, we are treated to a majestic show of light and shadow.	We set up camp in a small band of trees an hour or so before sunset. Planting tent stakes into snow proves difficult, but Tom has come up with an ingenious solution- he has driven the snowshoes into the snow in place of the regular stakes. The temperature is already beginning to drop into the teens, as we contemplate what to eat for dinner.
Brief thoughts of exploring the area around Round Top, pictured here, are quickly dismissed as sunset nears and the temperature continues to drop. We make tentative plans to make at least a partial ascent of this, without our packs, in the morning. These plans turn out to have been made in vain.	The fading light casts its rosy glow on distant peaks as we try to stay warm. The temperature is somewhere between 10 and 15 degrees and a moderate breeze is blowing out of the north, sending the wind-chill factor well below zero. Somehow, three of us manage to take a short walk a few hundred yards to a snow covered lake as darkness falls. On the way we spot a a creature, probably a rabbit or fox- he doesn't stick around for long and it's hard to judge his size and therefore species in the poor lighting.
During the night the temperature dips very low. I am awakened in the wee hours by occasional tiny cold sensations on my face. Apparently, as I exhale, the moisture rises and sticks to the roof of the tent where it crystallizes. The crystals continue to grow until they become too heavy and fall back down- it is actually snowing inside the tent! After trying to sleep for 12+ hours, dawn breaks. We grab some breakfast and begin to break camp.	We decide to make an ascent up Elephant's Back, a nearby rounded ancient cinder cone. The several hundred foot climb is arduous, even without our packs. The weather looks pretty ominous at this point and there is a persistent cold wind blowing out of the north. A serious snowfall seems inevitable.
Arriving at the top affords a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Unfortunately, the view is somewhat spoiled by the heavy overcast. While the south side that we came up was very rounded, the north side terminates in an abrupt cliff. Care must be taken not to venture too close to the edge or onto a snow cornice that could give way without notice. A couple of quick photos at the top and we head back down out of the worst of the wind.	The descent off of Elephant's Back proceeds very quickly, surpassed only by the speed at which the weather begins to clear. This picture was taken halfway down and looking toward last night's campsite and Round Top in the background. With good fortune, sunshine prevailed for the rest of the trek back to the car and civilization. The next stop: the traditional burgers and cokes at the nearest local dive. It's good to be back.

Overall, this was a good, albeit short, trip. The novelty of the snowshoes and the beauty of the ubiquitous pristine snow was definitely a great experience. There were, however, some down sides to the adventure. My feet were very cold any time we were not hiking- with better footwear, a preventable inconvenience. The more serious and unpreventable negative was the interminable darkness of the night, during which the only activity one could reasonably engage in was trying to sleep. One night was difficult enough; two nights would probably be my limit. While I think it will be some time before I get the urge to do this sort of thing again, a somewhat more ambitious trek seems inevitable in the foreseeable future.