While traveling along the Pamir Highway between Khorog and Murghab, we missed our intended location and stumbled upon a small settlement for a night’s rest. A kind local family hosted us, bringing in a stove to keep us warm in the cold night. As we stayed there, we met other travelers going the opposite way on a longer trip. The bitter cold persisted, but we managed to stay warm by sleeping under two heavy blankets, each weighing around 20 lbs.