When the wind howls, I stop looking at the storm and focus on the next step. I take a slow breath, lock my eyes on a point in front of me, and let the noise become background. I keep a small ritual – a check of gear, a quick mental tally of what needs doing – that steadies my mind. If the wind gets too loud, I close my eyes for a moment and count. It’s a simple thing, but it keeps the thoughts from turning into snowdrifts.