Notes on C.C. (Code Name Sabathia)
Crew #3, Gran Paradiso, Italy
Third expedition – August/September
August 7
Arrived at Base Camp. Preparations in order. Hiking experts are friendly, local to the area. They’ve both hiked Gran Paradiso many times. Neither has ever encountered Sabathia.
August 10
In the mountains. Unremarkable hike to this point. These hikers exist on equal amounts of water, wine and cured meats. And a truly outrageous number of cigarettes. Oddly, they’re very careful to collect the filters. They leave nothing behind when we break each morning. They argue over the relative strengths and weaknesses of Juventus at all moments when they are not guiding us. They are, I must admit, abjectly hilarious. I find some of my apprehension about a potential Sabathia encounter quelled by their easy ability and endless good humor.
August 12
Genuine good luck with the weather. First clouds of the trip formed today. None suspicious.
Set the first camera trap. The gear was well-packed, and the tests all went swimmingly. Battery could last months, but we’ll circle around a few times during our trip and take it out with us. Our funds are not limitless, and we cannot abandon equipment.
August 13
Second camera trap set. Took most of the day. Rain rolled through shortly after breakfast, but it was light. The views up here are more than I could have hoped for. I know I must stay on guard. The possibility of Sabathia being a threat is very real. We know so little about her. And yet, the beauty of this place has bewitched me. I am ensorcelled.
Caught our first glimpse of an XL Blackbird flock. Not many – counted eight, could have been a few more still grounded nearby. It was a surreal vision, a small flock of songbirds that could go talon-to-talon with any hawk.
Amber believes the blackbirds would be a food source for Sabathia in this area. It’s a sound guess. She’s brought materials to study the blackbird behavior, nest areas, feed habits and so forth. None of that interests me, so I would refer anyone to her notes for more information on the avian denizens of the highlands.
August 15
Third and final camera trap set. There is a spot about a day down the mountain we’ll rest for a bit. In the old days when dragons were hunted in these mountains, it was a hunting outpost. Now it’s a resort for wealthy eco-tourists. They had an extra house they’ve donated, so we’ll have to cozy up as a group.
The party remains in good spirits. Camera traps are not the most excited work, especially for a young group. But Amber, Herb and the Italian hikers understand the traps’ value and are eager to play their roles in the expedition.
August 16
Resort was a strong word. Wealthy eco-tourists must come here to rough it in the truest sense. The houses are actually cabins, though very sturdily built. Dragon teeth hang over each entrance, remnant lucky charms from well over a century ago.
We’ll operate from the resort for a week. Herb & I will do day hikes in a few different directions, just in case Sabathia feels generous enough to leave us obvious clues. Amber will probably spend time making notes on any avian passers-by. On August 20, we’ll strike back out & hike straight through from camera 3 to camera 1, collecting them on the way, then make for the base camp.
August 22
Leaving the resort. It rained half the time we were here, including two full wash-out days. Day hikes were invigorating, and I can see how the eco-tourism thing works up here (for those that can afford it. Or have scientific connections that will occasionally bear sweet fruit). No signs of Sabathia, but that was a thin hope from the start.
August 23
Camera 3 – Shooting blanks. It activated 5 times. Four times by birds, once a family of mountain goats or rams & sheep. Nothing noteworthy for our purposes.
August 24
Heavy rainstorm. Stuck at camp. Italians strongly opposed to trying to push on. Our path to Camera 2 is the most pitched part of the journey. Despite their laissez-faire attitudes towards most everything, they’re deathly serious about mountain safety. I find my respect for them growing daily.
August 26
Camera 2 – SABATHIA
The camera went off a dozen times in our absence. The first five sets are blanks, though one captured a long wildcat tail that I do not recognize. Will bring to big cat experts.
The last seven sets are all from a three-hour period. A flock of XL blackbirds were the triggers. Five of the seven sets capture the cloud in the background, huddled between peaks. It appears in each set to be utterly innocuous.
But two of the sets are what we came for. They show the clouds swirl around the high-altitude valley. They don’t appear to dissipate as normal clouds might.
One set features our Nobel Prize shot. The camera was activated by an XL Blackbird taking off. He’s alone, perhaps a scout for the flock or straggling behind. He spreads his wings, angles away from the stone and grass. Just in front of his beak is the holy grail, the photographic proof we’ve spent the last four years failing to find.
An eye.
Sabathia has her eye open, and it’s zeroed in on the XL Blackbird. The photo set finishes as the bird flies out of frame. It didn’t go off again, so we have no idea what might have happened. But this photo… this is an enormous breakthrough.
Carnivorous Clouds are real. The circumstantial evidence was strong enough, but the lack of photographs was vexing. Now that we know Sabathia is in this range, we can concentrate our efforts here if the other expeditions come up empty. In a year, maybe two, we could very well have enough to present to the international biology community.
August 27
Fog/Clouds covered us on the walk. Dense as any I’ve ever hiked through.
We lost one of our Italians on the way. He’s an experienced hiker, but anyone could get separated in the soup we struggled through today. His partner is concerned, but hides it well. He says the procedures are in place, and the missing guide knows to meet us at base camp. His pack is oversupplied, so it should be no trouble to make it back.
Those clouds were very thick. If it was Sabathia…
Camera 1 was a dud. Only three sets over the stretch. All eagles, and even then no great shots.
August 28
I cannot get the missing guide from my mind. Those clouds were incredibly thick. If Sabathia was smart enough to know she was made, if she’s capable of understanding identification by other species, and if her response is to hunt and/or kill, she is far more dangerous than we ever thought.
I’ve made it clear that I’d grown very fond of our guides on this trip. They were indispensable on countless occasions, both in terms of hiking expertise and morale. I have a pain in my heart, a growing fear that he will not be at the base camp waiting for us when we arrive.
September 2
Arrived at base camp. All photos intact. We have secured our first substantial proof of the existence of Sabathia.
The missing guide is not yet here. We’ve decided as a group to wait a few extra days.
September 4
Still no guide. Search parties were sent out yesterday afternoon. I am not impressed. If Sabathia wants to make an enemy, she need only keep this man from me.
September 7
No guide. No signs of him from the returned search parties. They’ll go back out. No official decision will be made for a few more weeks, but the remaining guide understands what this means.
He is gone. Sabathia must be to blame. Now that we know she is real, and alive, and a thinking creature, we know she is dangerous. I am a biologist. I can learn just as much from a corpse as a living specimen.
I will return to Gran Paradiso. And next time, I will come armed with more than camera traps and good cheer.
The Tall Tale Year 