As I place boot after boot on the muddy forest path on my way up the mountain, a fine mist shrouds me deeper and deeper. I reach the top and all but the closest branches are veiled in hazy white.

I halt my descend and prick up my ears. Off in the distance, a group of hikers babble along, their voices echoing over the leafless valley. Small birds chirp faintly here and there between the bushes, causing the leaves to rustle as they hop from branch to branch. I look around and notice droplets of water falling onto long-faded leaves, causing the faintest crackling sound whenever they land.