Each step is difficult and awkward . Yellow snowshoes sink into the same two feet of powder the tents were dug from this morning. Wind swirls the falling snowflakes. A group of seven teenagers and three adult leaders hikes through the forest pulling three sleds loaded with tent stakes, snow shovels, a first-aid kit and other shared supplies. The yellow and blue plastic rain gear the young hikers are wearing stands out in the chalky white powder.
Hoods half cover their cold withdrawn faces.