If this were all, the Brenva climb was a fraud, he exclaimed to himself in the vanity of his heart.

Ahead of them a tall black tower stood up, hiding what lay beyond, and up toward this tower Garratt Skinner led quickly.

He no longer spoke to his companions, he went forward, assured and inspiring assurance; he reached the tower, passed it and began to cut steps.

His ax rang as it fell.

It was ice into which he was cutting.
This was the first warning which Walter Hine received.