Last month, the boys and I embarked on a winter adventure that quickly became a core memory. After driving up to Lafayette Campground, we hit the trail at dusk with headlamps on and full packs on our backs, pushing toward a backcountry hut tucked above a frozen lake. The temperature was low, but spirits were high, embracing the cold as we set out on our journey.
After a solid hour-plus climb, we reached Lonesome Lake Hut and encountered a few other parties. I chuckled when one of the other dads immediately asked, “Did you plan to arrive after dark?”
The answer was yes.
Once we settled in, we fell into a rhythm that only exists off grid. We cooked a simple dinner, played cards by the wood burning stove with fellow hikers, and soaked in the rare quiet that comes from zero screens and zero distractions. About sixteen of us gathered in the warm common room before they boys and I headed to our detached, unheated, and uninsulated bunk house.
That room was no joke. We tracked in some snow when we arrived, and it was in its exact same form the next morning. Luckily, we had good gear, so if you didn’t move, it was fine. When you did move, you felt it. The boys did not complain once. They were bundled up, asking questions about the next day, laughing, and embracing the adventure.
Side note. Before we left, my wife asked them if they were excited. They said, “Not really, but we know that Dad is.”
The next morning, we made bacon and toast in the self-serve kitchen, poured more bottomless coffee and hot cocoa, packed up, layered up, and headed for the summit. The trail was snowy and icy, and the wind picked up as we climbed higher. The boys handled it like seasoned hikers. They were steady and focused, mindful of their footing, and pushed upward until we reached the exposed tower at the top.
Like any parent knows, a little sugary bribery goes a long way. We stopped at the Cannon Summit Café for hot drinks and treats. I had planned this stop ahead of time, knowing it would be the perfect place to warm up and reset before heading down.
The descent was a blast. They butt slid large sections of the trail, laughing the whole way. We passed many other hikers, and I got a serious dad boost from their comments.
“Wow, your boys are strong!”
“You guys are impressive!”
And my personal favorite, “You guys are amazing! And your dad is too for bringing you out here!”
They were right. Not many kids spend a winter weekend climbing mountains, sleeping in freezing bunks, or choosing wind and snow over TV and Roblox. My boys were proud of that. They talked about how their peers were probably home in pajamas, staring at screens, and that contrast felt like a superpower to them.
That feeling of being proud and a little “not normal” is why we train the way we train at Laid-back Fitness.
We train to adapt. To endure. To say yes to adventure instead of “I can’t” or “it’s too hard.”
We train to give kids strength, confidence, and movement skills so they can step into the real world with courage.
This weekend did not happen by accident. If the boys were not strong, if they did not run, jump, hang, climb, crawl, balance, breathe, and play hard all year long, it would not have been possible. They handled the cold, the weight of their packs, and the uneven terrain because they were prepared. Their bodies and minds have been trained to do hard things and adapt to new conditions.
Watching them climb through snow, help each other across icy sections, laugh at the wind, and accept the challenge reminded me why I love what we do. We make movement matter, and we believe childhood should be filled with real experiences, not just digital ones.
My boys earned something on that mountain that no screen can give: resilience, pride, and the quiet confidence that comes from doing something hard…and I couldn’t be prouder!
