513th cycle, 25th day of spring

We arrived late yesterday to the base of the pass where we have made camp. We are spending today resting the pack animals, though the contingent of tormans we brought from home are the main beneficiaries. When I inquired with Olan Lunere they informed me that the beasts native to their country, known as lopecs, are far more comfortable in the warmth and humidity found in the lowlands here. When the Olan expressed their doubts about burdening ourselves with the tormans I explained that we could expect the tables to turn as we climbed into the cooler and more rarefied atmosphere of the mountains. Indeed the torman's widely recognized facility in navigating mountainous environments is the whole reason I insisted on the not insubstantial difficulty and expense of bringing them along. I'm sure in the next few days my preparations will be proven most perspicacious. Tomorrow we begin our climb into the mountain pass that is purported to give access to a large isolated valley that has yet to be penetrated by any expedition.

513th cycle, 26th day of spring

We made an early start this morning, and progress up the shallow slopes at the base of the mountains has been met with minimal delays. The furthest point up the pass that any expedition has reached is still days away just on the other side of the mountain crest, however this hasn't precluded fresh discoveries. Around mid-day I had the good fortune to capture and study a fascinating new specimen of butterfly that appears to have no unusual abilities, but is possessed of a most comely pattern and color. My research journals now contain a number of accurate sketches of the butterfly, its behaviors, and environment. Those illustrations should prove an adequate supplement to the preserved specimen I will be bringing back as well. Findings like this one, put the lie to the term 'explored regions'. Though I must confess that the thrill of pushing beyond the explored regions poses a temptation that neither myself nor most of my colleagues can bring ourselves to withstand, regardless of how many undiscovered wonders are, with near certainty, still hiding within the boundaries encompassed by our maps.

513th cycle, 27th day of spring

Nothing of particular note today. We again made good time, even as the rough mountain trail began to noticeably steepen. The tormans are already looking more comfortable as cool air occasionally washes down over us from the still distant heights.

513th cycle, 28th day of spring

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We nearly lost someone today. My youngest student on the expedition; Trophirte, overbalanced as they were scrambling up a rocky scree to examine a small shrub that caught their eye. Fortunately their tumble down the slope was arrested by a barrier in the form of a less than pleased lopecs. Had they fallen a bit earlier or later the impetuous rascal would have either been trampled or cast rapidly down the steep miles of slope stretching below us. In the end the shrub for which they nearly gave their lives turned out to be a common specimen that has long been documented. While I am glad they have such bravery and adopted my zeal for discovery, I find myself repeatedly chastising them for failing to properly exercise the caution and patience I have also been trying to impart. Ultimately no permanent harm was done, and perhaps even some good, Trophirte might have better sense scared into them.

513th cycle, 29th day of spring

The trail through the pass has narrowed to the point where we are relegated to passing single file for long stretches. On these narrow sections we find ourselves accompanied by vertiginous drops on one side and imposing cliffs looming over us on the other. One of the scouts from Olan Lunere's contingent was good enough to point out the signs of tool marks still visible on the rock of the mountain slope in places despite what is likely millennia of weathering. The sign of some ancient and mysterious civilization has fueled a great deal of excitement in the archaeologists on my team. For my own part I can't help but be grateful to our ancient benefactors. I shudder to imagine how much more harrowing our journey would be without the remnants of the roadway they left behind.

513th cycle, 30th day of spring

My insistence on bringing the tormans has been definitively vindicated. Our altitude has climbed precipitously with the temperature dropping and air thinning to match. The lopecs, while not at the point of total debilitation, are having their burdens lightened by redistributing more of the supplies to the hardier tormans. I’m gratified to know that that contrary parsimonious blowhard Sem-Ter from the university bursar’s office will be eating crow when we return, and yes I’m aware you’ll be reading this too Sem-Ter, I stand by my description.

513th cycle, 31st day of spring

We had our first glimpse of the valley today. The sight of so much fog shrouded greenery is a refreshingly lush contrast to the stark, if beautiful, vistas of the mountain peaks around us. Olan Lunere’s scouts are estimating another two days of travel before we can establish a base camp on the valley floor and begin our explorations. I swear I caught a glimpse of some dark angular structure peeking through a gap in the fog but it was only for a moment in the corner of my eye.