After breakfast, Humphrey goes to see if he can buy a white polar bear cloak and asks Jo-owrn if the are any creams or pastes that one can buy to take the edge out of the cold.
"Never heard of any," the ranger replies.
Sharone takes the opportunity to refill her pack with spices, tea, glass vials etc.
Britan gets some weapon oil, some feed and oats for the horses, and some heavy cloth to put over the horses nose and mouth so they don't breath in the cold air.
"This is really going to be hard on the horses and pack animals so better makes sure that they're kept warm or someone will be walking," he says.
It is midmorning when you set out. Yip Yowee lies in a narrow valley on the south bank of a small river, and all around tower mountains rising as high as 18,000'. You cross a bridge to the north bank, and follow a road heading up into the mountains. Before you know it, Jo-owrn tells you that you have left Happy Valley. He pauses, and points at the closest mountain, several miles away. There, on its lower slopes, you see a large, burnt out clearing.
"That was the lair of the hill giants that were terrorising the area 25 years ago. It burned a few years past."
You are barely out of sight of Yip Yowee.
You continue to follow the road north.
The road climbs steadily throughout the day, up a narrowing pass. This is not Yeti Pass, you are informed. That still lies ahead. Nevertheless, when you stop and camp for the night, you find yourself at the top of a respectable altitude. Both ahead and behind you the lands drop away, while to either side are snow-capped peaks. To the north is a narrow valley...gradually winding off to the northeast. Under the light of a waxing gibbous moon, you can see a frozen river snaking its way along. Behind you, Happy Valley is spread out for you to see, extending far out of your sight to the south.
However, you do not spend long regarding the scenery, for the wind makes it bitter cold. You quickly retire to Kelar's tent.
Illyana pokes her head out of her parka.
"You, know," she says, her voice coming back to her, "a place like this makes me change my mind about wanting to travel."