I would say using a comma to combine the two sentences.
The verb used would be ‘is’ because we’re talking about a group of people in the present tense. I feel we would use ‘are’ only if there were specific things were were talking about, like [we] are, [you] are, [jack and jill] are, etc. Though, this wouldn’t be the case with he and she, because they always need to be in present tense.
Answer: The man is standing in the middle of a dark snowy forest waiting for a beast to come so he can hun it down with his rifle.
Explanation: My last 2 brain cells solved that.
Answer:
The speaker is talking about their journey and how it isn't to accomplish anything. In their perspective, they are scaling a "metaphorical mountain" for no specific reason.
