The crunch of packed snow beneath heavy insulated boots was the only sound echoing around them as their group began their ascent.
Every group had been assigned to explore a different area, but all were kept within the same general distance range.
If they hurried and maintained a steady pace while taking breaks in between, they might make it back to the town before the sun dipped below the horizon.
Severine, Andrei, and Alina followed the instructions, trekking up the winding path.
The trail twisted around a series of sheer, frozen crags. Trying to find a better and more stable path, they took a few small detours.
Before they knew it, they couldn't even see anyone else within miles. The chatter of the other students had completely evaporated, swallowed by the sheer vastness of the mountain.
Anywhere their eyes went, it was pure white. The cold wind howled all around them.
"Are you guys sure we are on the right path?" Severine asked, stopping briefly to look at the view.
