Chapter Nine
The Lahar
After a full day’s climb, frozen snow blasted against Andel’s waterproof jacket and congealed in the fur lining that edged her hood. Tired from the long ascent, she paused and gazed up at the looming conical summit held fast in its carapace of ice and snow. The thin plume of vapor they had noted when the climb began was invisible now from the mountain’s flank. Sunset glints dulled and faded into deep blue shadows. A tremor juddered her legs. In the distance the ongoing crash and crumple of an avalanche generated a storm of low frequency rumbles. Snow crunched underfoot as she resumed her climb.
Step by step, Cobar led them up a snaking ridgeline to the lee of a curving outcrop, where they pitched camp. Gradually the tent warmed, but the rock beneath them groaned a
