The weather can turn on a dime here. One minute it could be blue sky, sunny and temperate, the next minute you're completely fogged in, fighting to stay warm against the chilling blast.

Despite the fact that the mountaintop was stubbornly enrobed in the clouds, a small group of us hearty hostellers decided to brave the elements and go off exploring. We did not head off willy-nilly, mind you (a very unwise act, when your survival could be at stake). No, we had the benefit of a trusty hiking map, supplied free from the Mountain Hostel.

Thick trails of mist poured in and out of the valley, providing a constantly changing vista.

Along the way, we made up little games... above you see us playing our version of "skeet shooting." One person tossed a rock high into the air, and the rest threw smaller rocks in an effort to hit the target on its way down. For some reason this was exceptionally amusing to us, and much more fun that it may sound.