I headed out for a solo winter camp in my Subaru with one goal: cold plunge in an alpine lake… at 17°F. The drive in was already a clue—every car coming toward me had snow on it, and I was thrilled because I love snow camping. I found a safe spot before the road turned untracked (I’m not trying to get myself into a situation where I have to use my MaxTrax), then cooked a simple tailgate meal—potatoes with ghee and salt—and did my best to leave no trace. Even my potato water got a second job as a warm bottle in my sleeping bag. In the morning I checked my exhaust before starting the car, made coffee at around 9,000 feet, and headed toward the lake… which was basically a frozen, snow-covered sheet with ice fishing huts on it. This was my first time trying a winter lake plunge, and I didn’t fully realize how thick the ice and snow would be. I shared the real side of it too: I woke up anxious, and meditation didn’t help—breathwork did (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 7, hold 4). After scouting, I finally found a slushy opening, carved out a body-shaped “muddy bathtub,” and used my trekking poles for extra safety. The takeaway: you build self-trust by going anyway—carefully—then adjusting to what’s actually true out there.