Cloud Mountain

by Matthew Salinas, Daniel Nobles (Editor)

In 1863, Linguistic Anthropologist Dr. Henry Lasko embarked on an expedition to a mountain range in Northern Europe, known to the locals as “Cloud Mountain”. His body was never recovered, but his journal has been recently uncovered. It has begun a heated debate of widespread controversy in the anthropological world. Despite its many peculiar claims, there is only one thing everyone can agree on. Cloud Mountain is untraceable on any manmade map. Two questions have been on everyone’s lips since the journal was found. What caused Dr. Lasko’s descent into madness as he came across this mysterious place, and what did he find at the summit of Cloud Mountain?

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2025

Reviews

[Sportyrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anthropologist undertakes an ascent of Cloud Mountain, against the warnings of others. Only his diary was ever found where he documented the eerie happenings.

A few questions burned. He climbed a mountain that did not appear on any maps. So where was the diary found? What was the closest village to where he set off? I know this would be like a magician revealing their tricks and ruining the magic, but still.

Salinas was going for atmospheric and creepy rather than scary. I enjoyed the anticipation, but the ending was where it was just getting interesting and I was invested in what would happen next. The writing and story were good though.

Set in Northern Europe.

[Shannon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Matthew! You had to make a book this short and makes me want more! Like I need to know if anyone else climbed this mountain, and who the heck found this diary!! Overall great book you can read in one sitting and like I said makes me want more lol.

[Daniel Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a quick folklore based, sci-fi horror read. Pulls you in from start to finish and leaves you wanting more.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloud Mountain packs a lot in to only 35 pages. Through a series of journal entries from 1863, the story follows the arrogant Henry Lasko in his search for Cloud Mountain. No one has ever reached the summit of this mysterious place, as it is untraceable on any known map. Lasko describes increasingly bizarre incidents but remains determined to make a name for himself by being the sole discoverer of what lies at the top of the summit. But while his journal was recovered, Lasko’s body was never found, igniting a firestorm of questions and further controversy.

I’m a huge fan of anything that Salinas writes, and especially enjoy how well he crafts short stories. I really felt like I got to know Lasko, and learned more about him as his journey progressed. I was able to understand his motivations and sheer stubbornness as he continued his climb, at a cost that remains unanswered. As with his other works, expect a lot of strangeness from Salinas with this one!