Snapshot Saturday: Snowshoes, sunshine, shadows

It's easy to feel like the only person out in the landscape. But you'll have come with a friend or two, if only to haul you upright when, inevitably you fall deep into a drift of snow.
It’s easy to feel like the only person out in the landscape. But you’ll have come with a friend or two, if only to haul you upright when, inevitably you fall deep into a drift of snow.

Back in France, in the Ariège, the very best way of getting out into virgin snow and becoming at one with a pure, glittering white winter landscape was take yourself off to the nearest mountain, strap on your snowshoes and walk through the fresh crisp air as if you were the only person in that particular bit of world.  It was hard work though, and after the first hour, I’d had enough.

Three years on, and the memory of the pain, sweat and general exhaustion of the entire procedure has faded.  I remember instead the vivid sunlit skies and startlingly white and unspoilt snow.  And sometimes there were shadows: clear silhouettes mirroring, yet enhancing the world above the glistering mantle.

This week’s WordPress Photo challenge is ‘shadow’.  The challenge is now issued on a Wednesday rather than a Friday.  I think I’ll now usually respond on Saturday, not Sunday.

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

27 thoughts on “Snapshot Saturday: Snowshoes, sunshine, shadows”

  1. Pingback: Shadow: East Midlands | What's (in) the picture?

  3. My memories of hiking with my parents as a kid are very similar. You forget all the blisters, soreness, and cold, and just remember the views from the top of the mountain. 🖤

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  5. Love the shadows against the stark white snow…just beautiful. I’m so glad I found your blog!

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  6. We are in the Ariège at the moment and looking forward to all sorts of snowy activity. Jeremy is sharpening and waxing skis as we speak. Regarding your last post your garden is way ahead of ours. We’ve had viburnum bodnatense and heleborus niger flowering since before Christmas but apart from that only snowdrops in bud, just.

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  9. I can feel the crisp, cold air in my face and the crunch of the snow beneath my feet…literally since it looks like this here right now! Lovely photos and enjoyed your poetic descriptions.

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  12. I love that contrast of bright snow and deep, long shadows. Snowshoeing IS hard work–I always over-dress, too, and then get sweaty and cranky. But being outside on these perfect snow days makes it seem worthwhile.

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  13. Beautiful. I was snowshoeing for the first time in Chamonix last week when the light was too flat for skiing. I’m so glad it was, for I would never have experienced how wonderful it can be!

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