Birch Bark Ridge Snow Trek: Birch Bark Ridge punishes anyone who doesn't bring the right gear!

Going there was calm and easy Coming back was really 😜 Rushing, tumbling, and scrambling! It snowed all day Friday at Birch Bark Ridge 🌨️ By Saturday, it turned into a forest sea of snow 🌲 and a world of ice and snow ❄️ An endless expanse of white snow Trees covered with rime ice ☃️ When the wind blows, snowflakes fall gently So dreamy A fairy tale world like no other Walking in the woods felt like being in Northern Europe～ Photos can't capture even a tenth of the beauty Truly stunned by the vast whiteness 😜 Tested and approved 🉑! Less than 8 kilometers total, about 300 meters of ascent 🆙 Fairly easy and leisurely ❗But the wind on the mountain is strong, and the path is very slippery Be well prepared!!! Take this advice, these things are a must! 1️⃣ Crampons: I thought the fresh snow wouldn't be a big problem, so I didn't buy crampons. But the start was an uphill road, the snow was packed and the path was very slippery. Some sections were impossible to pass without crampons, very easy to fall. 2️⃣ Hat and gloves: The wind is especially strong at the summit, making your head buzz and your hands too cold to move. Without gloves, you can't hold trekking poles. Waterproof gloves are best; on the final downhill, you use your hands and feet a lot. Cotton gloves get wet and useless. 3️⃣ Gaiters: The snow from Friday was thick, almost knee-deep in the deepest spots. High-top boots can't stop snow from getting inside, and once inside, your shoes get wet quickly, freezing your feet. Gaiters help a lot. 4️⃣ Butt sled: The last stretch is steep and snowy, very slippery, impossible to walk upright. Trekking poles and crampons don't help; everyone was tumbling and scrambling! 😂 Better to give up struggling and use a butt sled to slide down, saving your pants and butt from unnecessary damage 🙉 Proven to be the fastest! 5️⃣ Face mask: The wind is so strong it hurts your face. Bring a face mask. 6️⃣ Anti-slip hiking shoes: The path is slippery all the way, you can't manage without anti-slip shoes. 7️⃣ Socks 🧦: The snow is so thick my socks got wet. Luckily, I brought an extra pair. Wool socks are best. 8️⃣ Clothes: Wear layers you can take off and stuff in your pack. If you get cold, there's no way out. The fierce wind at the summit is not for the faint-hearted. ⚠️ For reference: I wore thermal underwear + inner layer + thin down jacket + hard shell jacket, and didn’t feel too cold. 9️⃣ Power bank: The cold drains phone 📱 batteries fast. Bring a power bank. 🔟 Thermos: Try to get some hot water at the service area. The mountain wind chills you to the bone; a sip of hot water helps 🤣 1️⃣1️⃣ Water & food: Don’t bring too much. You don’t get very thirsty in the snow. I brought three bottles and only drank one. Food can be minimal too. Birch Bark Ridge punishes anyone who doesn't bring the right gear❗