When the group finally reached the east crest of Schauinsland, they lost the lee of the mountain and were completely exposed to the snowstorm at sub-zero temperatures. If they would have gone westwards from here, they could have reached the top station of the Schauinsland cable car without any other difficulties, and thus reached safety. Because nothing could be seen in the fog and storm, Keast preferred to maintain the rough direction to Hofsgrund, probably unaware that this meant another of descent over sloping and deeply snow-covered terrain. Soon after, the group lost their orientation on the southeastern mountain flank, especially since the daylight was fading. They ran, yielding to the storm, in an eastern direction, even though Hofsgrund, their destination, was south.