The mangroves give way to thicker trees, their black trunks freakishly long and thin and stark like dripping towers, with scrub pine and ferns peppering their knotting roots.  The soil here is thick with black sand, the harsh sun can't reach the ground-- the sultry air of the swamp, like a fetid steam room, seems to ease its oppresive grip as they near the crest.  They will have to pick their way through ground cover, crawling among vines as big as a blacksmith's arm, to climb further, or else cut their way in.<br/><br/>((Athletics, sneaks, aid another, etc aside, please just describe how your characters will approach and I'll work out the rest.  It is not an easy climb, you will get dirty and sappy, or you can cut your way up with loud and crunchy machetes and swords.))