In "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman, the concept of ghosts in the mountains serves as a haunting reminder of the past and the unseen forces that influence the present. The idea that these spirits inhabit the peaks signifies the presence of lost lives and unresolved issues that linger in the world, creating an atmosphere of mystery and foreboding. It reflects the themes of exploration and the search for truth that permeate the narrative.

This acknowledgment of ghosts shapes the characters’ journeys as they confront not just physical challenges in the mountains, but also deeper emotional and existential dilemmas. The phrase emphasizes a collective understanding among the characters about the weight of history and memory that defines their world and propels their quest for knowledge and self-discovery.