The EARTH story - August 17, 1372


The temperature does no move much the next day. An hour after setting out a squall blows down out of the mountains, with howling winds and blinding snow. You hunker down and endure the white out and -65F wind chill, and an hour later it passes, leaving 5" of fresh snow. You struggle on.

By midmorning you have climbed down off of the glacier and are descending the north face of the Northern Flank Range. As afternoon passes the gloom deepens. Winter does indeed come early to these latitudes. That evening you camp at the edge of another glacier. Ahead, the valley of the McKenzie River is beginning to become visible. While Aron keeps watch at the 'window', a large, snowy white owl lands atop the tent and perches there, preening himself.


Next day

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