Most of the trenches in the Salinas River Valley are former riverbeds, meandering into the Pacific Ocean after years of erosion. Later, tectonic movements and river course changes left this hilly valley behind.
The surface vegetation became largely extinct, leading to soil erosion. Decades of weathering eventually caused severe sandification of the hillside surface, appearing desolate and barren from afar.
The gaping riverbed entrance, squeezed by the hillsides on both sides, resembled a massive beast's open jaws, patiently waiting for the convoy ahead to walk into the trap.
The convoy of over a thousand people still seemed insignificant compared to these naturally crafted landscapes.
Light stood on the car roof, holding binoculars as he gazed across several kilometers towards the valley hills ahead. Dust clouds and traces of human alteration were clearly visible at the hilltop and midway sections.
Looking at the nerve-wracking spider-web trenches, he cursed under his breath,
