Hmmm. I don't really think Mizzenchip is clever enough to go into hiding for 3 weeks just to see if you'd let your guard down - that level of planning seems more likely in advanced species such as hamsters and white rats. Some tomcats do go on a sort of romantic pilgrimage or walkabout in the spring, checking to see if any interesting new female felines have moved into the neighborhood - depending on the size of the neighborhood and the number of potential dalliances, that could take him a number of days (or weeks). I'd advise caution for a while longer.

I have mixed feelings about the idea of your heading off on another adventure. It can be scary out there - but on the other hand, I really can't see you and Freddy as content to be sitting around the fireplace passing around a bottle of old Port Royal (or your drink of choice). "...Some new mountain to climb" - there do seem to be people who feel compelled to climb mountains for no other reason than the fact they're there. Freddy could probably convert the plane to some sort of cross between a float plane and a snowmobile - but all that effort just to get very cold seems a bit silly to me.

If, however, during your climbing or other exploration, you could prove (or disprove) the ancient hypothesis that Bigfoot is actually a large primordial hamster....

Whatever you do, please bring the laptop so those of us who lack your courage and spirit of adventure can at least follow along vicariously.

Best of luck with whatever you do!
JudyB