Way back in August we gave you the chance to win a alpkit.com t-shirt. All you had to do was submit a short story based on the theme 'driving to the mountains'. Darren Craig called our bluff and will shortly be wearing a fresh Alpkit.com t-shirt. Published here his piece recalls making the most of one of those unforseen hold-ups that make up part of modern travel.

What time should I call him? Would it be too early now? If I left it until later, would I have missed him?.. and if I went to call him now would I loose my place in the line up, or my potential seat in the sky?

I hadn't eaten for hours, and had no idea when I would see the snow, and I had no local currency.. all I knew is my plans were affected already. Here I was at an expected changeover airport, but at the wrong time, and via an unexpected route. That was never part of the road trip plan! Very soon I should have been at the car pick up counter at Vancouver airport, picking up our transport for the next two weeks.

Five hours earlier I could have looked down and seen Amsterdam Schiphol airport (if it wasn't for the fog) and by now I should have been sitting Vancouver bound, getting ready to land. Instead I was in Amsterdam, after being coached up from Brussels, standing in a line up desperately waiting to know which connecting flight I would get on to. There was one consolation. Tony, my British Columbia road trip partner, didn't have to get up early today. I pissed him off by calling him at 6.30 am to tell him not to collect me at the airport today. A few hours later I called him again to get some sense out of him.. instead all I heard was "Thanks for the phone call buddy. Call me back later though eh? Gotta go and grab the first lift, it's dumping in Whistler today - it's a powder day!" Bastard. Here I was looking at the departures board watching US and Canada bound flights leave without me on them, and he was stumbling to the lifts to get first tracks.

After spending our "drive to Big White" day in the airport instead, I eventually got the first flight to Van the following day. There was no point in complaining any more, I just had to make the most of the unplanned adventure.

Soon after I ditched the board at left luggage and got a hotel I was on the train bound for the city centre. A brief walk took me back to memories of previous Amsterdam trips, skirting along the red light district, the seedy side streets, and negotiating the canals. I checked in, showered and off I went to explore. After having some pre munchy munchies at a restaurant I went to find a cafe. I ventured through the seats and found a comfy sofa, and sat back to enjoy one of Amsterdam's finest.

I knew that whatever powder day Tony was having he'd still be a bit jealous of my mini-adventure. As I lounged back, took another puff of the Amsterdam experience, my brain slipped slowly into the chill zone.. I almost forgot that as I sat in the capital of sleaze, surrounded by sex, in the flattest country in the world I should have been negotiating the snow on Trans Canada 1 driving to the mountains..

Written by Darren Craig