I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 610 - 508: The Expedition Team Encounters an Avalanche

The sky remained dark and dull, with faint traces of light that were almost imperceptible.

The biting cold persisted. Although the Protective Suit insulated against the chill, the howl of the wind lashing against the helmet and the frost forming on the visor were enough to convey just how cold it truly was.

Walking through the thick snow, the expedition team members trudged on with great difficulty.

They were part of a national geological survey team, tasked with conducting geological investigations of the mountainous areas surrounding the city.

As a national expedition team, their equipment was naturally very comprehensive. When they set out, they had an all-terrain vehicle specifically allocated for transportation.

However, when they arrived in the mountainous area, the rugged terrain prevented the all-terrain vehicle from advancing. They had to leave two team members to watch the vehicle while the others proceeded on foot into the mountains.

Fortunately, as a geological survey team, the members had extensive field survey experience, and having previously entered the mountains on foot, they didn't find it problematic.

But compared to before the disaster, the current environment was vastly different. Had it been before the disaster, they would never have ventured into the mountains with such deep snow because it would have been far too dangerous.

But now, the entire world had transformed into such an icy, snowy landscape. If they were to fear danger, then they might as well do nothing and cower in the shelter waiting for death.

Moreover, they weren't blindly risking their lives. Besides each being equipped with Protective Suits to ensure their survival in the wild, they also had all sorts of gear to handle dangers. Although the current environment posed certain risks, they were still capable of protecting themselves.

"Captain, how much longer do we have to walk?" one team member asked the expedition team captain through the communicator in the Protective Suit.

They had been walking for most of the day and had already penetrated deeply into the mountains. Still, the captain showed no intention of stopping and continued leading the team onward.

According to their original plan, they needed to reach a depression in the mountains, establish a campsite there, and then begin their survey. However, there was still a considerable distance to the campsite.

The captain responded through the communicator, saying, "We need to reach the campsite before we can rest. At our current pace, it will take about another hour. Hang in there a little longer, everyone; once we reach the campsite, we can rest."

After explaining, the captain didn't forget to encourage everyone. In fact, he was already very tired himself, but as the captain, he needed to lead his team and couldn't afford to complain or show fatigue now.

After all, if even the captain started to complain and grumble, how could he expect the team members to persevere?

The captain's words indeed provided some encouragement to the team members. Although they were exhausted after walking all day and knew they would have to set up the campsite upon arrival, they at least had a glimmer of hope, preventing them from feeling blindly led along.

Perhaps encouraged by hearing that the campsite was just ahead, everyone quickened their pace. Although this might consume more energy, everyone couldn't help but want to reach the campsite sooner.

Seeing this, the captain didn't say much but silently quickened his own pace.

After all, everyone was tied together with a rope like a long chain, so if anyone walked faster or slower, it would affect the others. Thus, they had to move at the same speed.

This was also a safety measure when advancing over snow-covered mountains, glaciers, or swamps. With ropes connecting them, even if someone fell or slipped into a pit or glacier crevasse, the others could still pull them up, preventing them from falling completely or getting trapped beyond escape.

In addition to the safety ropes, the expedition team members were also equipped with locators, signal flares, ice axes, and other field equipment, along with the latest outdoor emergency supplies to ensure their safety in the wilderness.

While advancing, the captain pressed a button under his helmet, ejecting a straw inside the helmet.

This was for eating while traveling outdoors, connected to a detachable container with Nutrition Paste that was similar to jelly.

In the wild, if one were to open the visor to eat under these conditions, with external temperatures tens of degrees below zero, it would instantly stick their mouth to the food, and the food itself would cool rapidly or even freeze.

Thus, having it installed on the Protective Suit allows the suit's insulation to retain heat, ensuring the food doesn't cool. Moreover, it's convenient to eat while moving, avoiding the inconvenience of seeking a place to make a fire to cook.

Once the food in the container is consumed, it's easy to switch. Simply remove the empty container and replace it with a new one.

A single container of Nutrition Paste provides enough nutrition for a normal adult for a day, rich in water content. Although it might not provide a full feeling, for the field-hardened expedition team, it's practical enough.

Plus, the straw can switch to the canteen on the other side, offering warm, palatable water, providing more than enough comfort.

The group hastened their pace, assisted by their Exoskeleton equipment, finally reaching their predetermined campsite.

The site was a mountain depression surrounded by walls, shielding it from the surrounding winds. Simply pitching tents would make it a perfect camp.

"Compared to the days when we used tree branches to make lean-tos, conditions are much better now!" the captain remarked while directing the team to set up tents.

In the past, a survey team like theirs, after entering the mountains, would usually make do with whatever materials they could find for shelter. Hoping for comfort was nearly impossible.

Even if they had a tent, conditions in the wild remained harsh.

But now, their extensive equipment ensured that they could at least have hot meals and a warm, comfortable sleeping area even in today's harsh environment.

Just as everyone was busy setting up tents and preparing to cook, the captain heard some low rumbling sounds.

The noise was masked by the strong wind all around, blended with the howling making it hard to hear clearly. But when the captain focused his attention, he suddenly felt the ground trembling beneath him.

The surrounding snow seemed to be collapsing, and the rumbling sound came from the mountain walls.

This made the captain's face change dramatically, and he shouted suddenly, "Avalanche!"