Many of Baraga’s winter journeys were taken on snowshoes, and on this trip he struggled through fierce, howling winds, deep snow, and bitter cold to reach his destination. After traveling a great distance in the blinding storm, he became increasingly weakened and at one point was obliged to hang his backpack on a tree and struggle on further. He later wrote that “the wind was so intensely cold it threatened to freeze the very blood in my veins.” After many hours of laborious effort, he reached a lodge, where the Indians marveled at their “Blackrobe’s” determination to serve them in the name of Jesus. They welcomed him and cared for him lovingly. In the morning light, patches of skin from Baraga’s face were plainly visible as having peeled off because of his long exposure to the wintry blasts. After that fearful walk, Baraga remarked, “these mission journeys are indeed very hard but also very fruitful for the honor of God, and the salvation of souls. Thanks be to God for all.”