A mountain range as beautiful as it is treacherous. It forms a wall between the coast and an inland steppe. The only clear path through is a narrow valley between the peaks near their southeastern margin.

Mixed woodlands grow abundantly on the southwestern side of the slopes, transitioning to alpine taiga as the elevation increases. Clear, mineral-rich water flows through various streams and rivers, fed by the retreating glaciers of the mountains. The largest of these is the Sharptooth River that cuts directly through the center of the valley, which at its widest point is gentle enough to support marshy wetlands on its banks. Much of the inner valley is drier, composed of mixed steppe and taiga. The Sharptooth River flows into the sea that borders the western edges. The northern slopes are comparatively cold and dry, primarily composed of regions of tundra interspersed with sparse coniferous forests.

Image source: https://flic.kr/p/KzxfJ6