The Magenta Ridge

A steep snow ridge high in the Himalaya at first light in May, deep blue sky, wind lifting spindrift, below a layer of white cloud and rock peaks, a climber seen from directly behind walking away up the ridge, only her back, the back of her raised hood and her shoulders visible, in a waterproof jacket of bright magenta with petrol-turquoise shoulders and hood, matching magenta overtrousers, beads of meltwater and frost on the fabric, a coil of orange rope over her shoulder, an ice axe in her gloved hand, every surface of the suit plain and unmarked.