Robbie Herbst is a writer and violinist based in Chicago. His work has been published at X-R-A-Y, Gulf Coast, RHINO Poetry, and other publications. He is a member of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and he enjoys the company of his dog, Reba, who is a very good girl. You can read more fiction at robbieherbst.com.
Under your puffer, you sweat from the exertion of the approach, but each step brings cooler air. It won’t be long before the rock becomes numbingly cold.