And anyway, they never would find his cave.

It was perfect, just like a moonshiner story or something.
Speaking of smoke reminded Jack that he would have to lay in a supply of wood, which was some distance below the rock crest.

Manzanita was the closest, and that was brushy stuff.

He also told Marion gravely that he must do it before any snow came, or his tracks would be a dead give-away to the place.

He must get all his grubstake in too, and after snowfall he would have to be mighty careful about making tracks around any place.
Marion thought that snow on the mountain would be "keen," and suggested that Jack try a pair of her shoes, and see if he couldn't manage to wear them whenever there was snow.