The roadside scenery was a good indication of what to expect later in the day.

Snow-covered trees reflected in the water of a canal.

A stream flows through a snowy field.

We took a short break at a disused hotel before the long climb up to the wall.

We followed the trail along the hillside, through snowy scenery.

Fresh snow covers branches.

We had to proceed carefully through the snowy forest, or risk getting a shock from a sudden load of snow down the neck!

A view back down into the valley we started from.

The cloud-covered hills in the background were where we had originally planned to go. It was much nicer on this side of the hill.

A rare sight this winter—the Great Wall, covered in snow.

The Great Wall rises and falls as it follows the contours of the hillside.

Everyone was thrilled to hike in this winter wonderland that day!

The steep downhill sections, made slippery by the snow, forced each hiker to exercise caution during the descent.

Looking back at a tower we had passed through.

Super-guide Yanjing, flying through the tower.

Starting the steep descent into the valley below, where the hike ends.