When the birds fly south

"When the Birds Fly South" by Stanton A. Coblentz is a fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story follows Dan Prescott, a member of a geological expedition who becomes ensnared in mysteries surrounding an enigmatic mountain known as "The Mountain of Vanished Men" in Afghanistan. As he ascends the mountain in search of a puzzling stone statue, he encounters a mystical tribe known as the Ibandru, whose customs and prophecies deeply intertwine with his fate. At the start of the novel, the protagonist, Dan Prescott, is part of an American geological crew exploring the mountain ranges of Afghanistan. He becomes captivated by a colossal stone figure resembling a woman, perched atop a peak. Despite warnings from locals regarding the supernatural dangers associated with the mountain, Dan's curiosity drives him to investigate further, leading to a disastrous fog that separates him from his companion, Jasper Damon. Alone and injured, he is discovered by the Ibandru, a hidden tribe who rescue him and introduce him to their mystical way of life and rich folklore. As Dan begins to recover, he forms a bond with Yasma, one of the Ibandru members, setting the stage for deeper explorations into the tribe's mysteries and the ominous prophecies that surround his presence in their secluded valley.