Snowshoeing at night

February snow at Green Mountain at Fox Run

Last night I went snowshoeing in the woods. It was the eve of G’s 60th birthday, one of my favourite people here. She asked a bunch of us if we’d join her for a nocturnal adventure.

“Suuuure!” I said.

Then the excuses charged in.

You know, it’s getting late, and I’ve not done this before, and I’m not sure if my annual travel insurance policy considers snowshoeing to be a snow sport, and I’m not covered for that so let me go give them a call in the morning just to be safe. Also, I ordered these new snow trousers and haven’t tried them on yet to see if they fit so I need to do that first, but yeah, I’ll totally go next time!

Earlier that day, we learned that fear and panic originate from one’s reptilian brain (brain stem/cerebellum). So I had that “running from a tiger and looking for my cave” feeling, as per Monday’s lesson. I’m mashing up different ideas and species here, but basically, I was having a panic.

But we also learned yesterday that people needing people is not just a Barbra Streisand song. It’s science. We need connection and pleasure to fill up our senses. And if we are low on human connection, that’s when some of us can try and replicate that sensory connection with food. Which works a treat, until it doesn’t.

So here was a chance to practice the lessons from the past few days. Plus, I didn’t want to miss the chance to have one more laugh with the hilarious and wonderful G before she went home.

Off I went into the darkness with my fab new pals under the calming and encouraging guidance of Megan, one of the excellent staff here. It was beautiful. Swishing along the path, my headlamp gently lit up the snow and the spindly shapes of the trees.

“Isn’t this great? Can you believe we’re out here?” said G. “Aren’t you glad you did it?”

We stopped for a minute to do a wee bit of mindfulness. We looked at the sky and listened to the quiet, and the snow started coming down. As much as I thought I’d needed some alone time in my room doing The Times concise crossword, this was what I’d been craving.

I partnered with Green Mountain at Fox Run, where I received a three-week stay at Green Mountain in February 2018, in exchange for writing about my experience. The stay included the Green Mountain core and Pathway programs at the Women’s Center for Binge & Emotional Eating. I covered my travel expenses. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Update, January 2019 - Green Mountain has now closed.