The view back down the valley is magnificent. There is not much snow on the ice cap to hold down our tent. I hope it does not start to blow. The following day we cross the pass and as we start down the winds picks up. In an hour it goes from dead calm to so strong that we have to shout to communicate.
Visibility is nil, but the route is obvious - down.
There is no shelter, we cannot stop to eat or drink. At least the wind is on our backs. Julie drops a mitten, Richard dives for it and misses. The mitten streaks down the slope. As it passes me, I dive for it and catch it.