Duluoz''s lack of emotion comes from being so completely immersed in his surroundings and believing that all that can be learned from Mount Hozomeen and Desolation Peak has been learned.
The hike down the mountain is five miles long. Fred's boat can be seen 7 miles offshore. Duluoz is convinced that the trek down to the bottom won't be difficult. Duluoz soon finds that his estimations are way off base. Along the way, Duluoz turns an ankle and watches as the soles of his shoes finally give way. Pain and sweat overcome Duluoz as he tries to make it down the mountain while watching Fred who is watching for him.
