November 12, 2026
When the descent becomes the route
A Peakbud development note comparing two descents from a sheltered notch, with changes in visibility, protection and the view of earlier landmarks.
Expedition Notes
Read the climb from the last secure stance. These notes record the choices that shaped a pitch, including when the way down mattered more than the next hold.
Reading the development notes
The Expedition Notes pair route cards with discussions of the conditions behind them. Some entries start at a stance, others with the appearance of a slab or a change in the sky. The practical question is what a player can still decide at that point, and what evidence the game should present before the choice is final.
A route card can be read before the longer account. The account then explains why an apparently short line changes character when cloud or wind affects the view. A separate descent study compares the same landmarks from above and below so a reader can see why the return needs its own drawing.
Recent study: When the descent becomes the route.