Korterange

Korterange is a mountain range in the northern highlands of the fictional continent of Varunia. It runs about 320 kilometers from west to east, with rugged, glaciated peaks, cirques, and high basins. The range acts as a climatic barrier, with glaciers on the northern slopes and subalpine forests on the southern.

The name korterange is believed to derive from the Koritha language, where kort means cold; range is a loanword from Old Common.

Geologically, the range consists mainly of granitic and metamorphic rocks formed during the Varunan orogeny in the late Paleozoic. Quaternary glaciation carved U-shaped valleys and moraines. The climate is alpine, with long snowy winters and cool summers; winter temperatures commonly fall below -15°C, and summer highs reach about 10-12°C on the higher slopes.

Treeline sits around 1,500–1,800 meters, giving way to subalpine meadows, dwarf shrubs, and scree. The area hosts species such as the varun ibex, mountain hare, alpine wren, and the glacier eagle.

Human activity is limited to foothill communities, seasonal herding, and small-scale tin and tungsten mining. Korterange National Park, established in 1989 and covering about 65,000 hectares, protects core alpine habitats and glaciers.

Mount Vestri, at 3,962 meters, is the highest peak and a common objective for climbers.