This walkthrough covers everything you need to Borderlands 4 Boosting know to complete "Returned to the Mountain," including how to start it, where to find each bolt, enemy encounters, and the rewards waiting for you at the end.
How to Start "Returned to the Mountain"
You'll unlock this quest in the mid-to-late stages of Borderlands 4, shortly after completing the main story mission "Ash and Honor." Once you've finished that mission, head to the Highspire Peaks area. Near the cliffside outpost, you'll find Defiant Calder, standing solemnly by a makeshift memorial of scrap metal and glowing crystal shards.
Speak with Calder to trigger a short dialogue sequence. He'll explain that several of his fellow Defiant warriors fell during a desperate last stand against the Children of the Ruin. Their bodies remain scattered across the mountains, and their bolt-power cores infused with their essence must be recovered and returned to the mountain for a proper send-off.
Quest Giver: Defiant Calder
Location: Highspire Peaks (Upper Ridge Outpost)
Recommended Level: 25+
Objective Summary: Retrieve the bolts of Calder's fallen comrades and bring them back for the final ceremony.
Step 1: Locate the Fallen Defiant
After accepting the quest, your map will display three marked zones scattered across Highspire Peaks. Each zone contains one fallen Defiant warrior whose bolt you need to recover.
Zone 1 - The Western Cliff Path
Follow the winding mountain trail west of Calder's camp. You'll encounter a group of Ruin Raiders guarding the first body. These raiders are lightly armored but extremely aggressive-expect fast melee charges and stun grenades.
Clear the area and interact with the fallen Defiant's remains. Your character will automatically extract the First Bolt of the Mountain. Listen closely for Calder's comms; he'll recite a short passage of remembrance after each recovery, adding emotional depth to the journey.
Step 2: Survive the Frozen Ravine
The second location lies deep within the Frozen Ravine, a cave network filled with ice spires and glowing fungi. The path is narrow, and the moment you enter, a group of Cryo Elemental Beasts will ambush you.
Use cheap Borderlands 4 Weapons with Incendiary damage to counter their frozen attacks. Shotguns and SMGs are your best allies here-especially if you can freeze and shatter multiple beasts at once.
At the end of the ravine, you'll find another Defiant warrior embedded in the ice, surrounded by Cryo crystals. Break the crystals to release the body, then retrieve the Second Bolt.
Calder's tone grows heavier here-he mentions this warrior was his second-in-command, a reminder that even the strongest fall.
Step 3: The Summit Battle
The third and final bolt is located near the Highspire Summit, an area teeming with enemies. Expect a mix of Ruin Snipers and Heavy Raiders using explosive launchers. It's a good idea to bring long-range weapons or rely on cover to thin out the enemy ranks.
Once you clear the area, you'll approach a plateau where the last fallen Defiant lies beside a shattered banner. Interact to claim the Third Bolt of the Mountain-but before you can leave, a mini-boss encounter begins.
Mini-Boss: Rakar, the Blasphemer
Rakar is a heavily armored Ruin Champion who wields a shock-based axe and rocket launcher combo. His attacks can drain shields instantly, so keep moving and use cover to avoid his charge swings. When he switches to his launcher, sprint sideways or use your action skill to dodge.
Defeating Rakar drops high-tier loot and a unique weapon: the "Mountain's Will" Assault Rifle, which increases damage after every kill for a short duration.
Once Rakar falls, Calder will contact you, his voice filled with gratitude and sadness. He asks you to return to him with the bolts so they can be sent back to the mountain.
Step 4: Return to Calder
Fast travel back to the Upper Ridge Outpost. When you approach Calder, a short cutscene plays. He performs a ritual, placing each bolt into a carved chamber of stone. As they activate, glowing energy shoots into the sky-symbolizing the spirits returning home.
After the ceremony, Calder thanks you personally. His dialogue changes depending on your Vault Hunter's tone, showing subtle variations between solemnity and pride.
Rewards
Upon completing "Returned to the Mountain," you'll receive both tangible loot and a touching sense of closure.
Quest Rewards:
Mountain's Will (Epic Assault Rifle – guaranteed if not dropped by Rakar)
4,200 XP
Cash Reward: 10,000 Credits
Defiant's Emblem cosmetic (banner or player icon)
Additionally, Calder becomes available as a support vendor at cheap Borderlands 4 Power Leveling the Upper Ridge Outpost, offering gear with Cryo and Shock bonuses-perfect for tackling the next missions in the snowy regions.
How to Start "Returned to the Mountain"
You'll unlock this quest in the mid-to-late stages of Borderlands 4, shortly after completing the main story mission "Ash and Honor." Once you've finished that mission, head to the Highspire Peaks area. Near the cliffside outpost, you'll find Defiant Calder, standing solemnly by a makeshift memorial of scrap metal and glowing crystal shards.
Speak with Calder to trigger a short dialogue sequence. He'll explain that several of his fellow Defiant warriors fell during a desperate last stand against the Children of the Ruin. Their bodies remain scattered across the mountains, and their bolt-power cores infused with their essence must be recovered and returned to the mountain for a proper send-off.
Quest Giver: Defiant Calder
Location: Highspire Peaks (Upper Ridge Outpost)
Recommended Level: 25+
Objective Summary: Retrieve the bolts of Calder's fallen comrades and bring them back for the final ceremony.
Step 1: Locate the Fallen Defiant
After accepting the quest, your map will display three marked zones scattered across Highspire Peaks. Each zone contains one fallen Defiant warrior whose bolt you need to recover.
Zone 1 - The Western Cliff Path
Follow the winding mountain trail west of Calder's camp. You'll encounter a group of Ruin Raiders guarding the first body. These raiders are lightly armored but extremely aggressive-expect fast melee charges and stun grenades.
Clear the area and interact with the fallen Defiant's remains. Your character will automatically extract the First Bolt of the Mountain. Listen closely for Calder's comms; he'll recite a short passage of remembrance after each recovery, adding emotional depth to the journey.
Step 2: Survive the Frozen Ravine
The second location lies deep within the Frozen Ravine, a cave network filled with ice spires and glowing fungi. The path is narrow, and the moment you enter, a group of Cryo Elemental Beasts will ambush you.
Use cheap Borderlands 4 Weapons with Incendiary damage to counter their frozen attacks. Shotguns and SMGs are your best allies here-especially if you can freeze and shatter multiple beasts at once.
At the end of the ravine, you'll find another Defiant warrior embedded in the ice, surrounded by Cryo crystals. Break the crystals to release the body, then retrieve the Second Bolt.
Calder's tone grows heavier here-he mentions this warrior was his second-in-command, a reminder that even the strongest fall.
Step 3: The Summit Battle
The third and final bolt is located near the Highspire Summit, an area teeming with enemies. Expect a mix of Ruin Snipers and Heavy Raiders using explosive launchers. It's a good idea to bring long-range weapons or rely on cover to thin out the enemy ranks.
Once you clear the area, you'll approach a plateau where the last fallen Defiant lies beside a shattered banner. Interact to claim the Third Bolt of the Mountain-but before you can leave, a mini-boss encounter begins.
Mini-Boss: Rakar, the Blasphemer
Rakar is a heavily armored Ruin Champion who wields a shock-based axe and rocket launcher combo. His attacks can drain shields instantly, so keep moving and use cover to avoid his charge swings. When he switches to his launcher, sprint sideways or use your action skill to dodge.
Defeating Rakar drops high-tier loot and a unique weapon: the "Mountain's Will" Assault Rifle, which increases damage after every kill for a short duration.
Once Rakar falls, Calder will contact you, his voice filled with gratitude and sadness. He asks you to return to him with the bolts so they can be sent back to the mountain.
Step 4: Return to Calder
Fast travel back to the Upper Ridge Outpost. When you approach Calder, a short cutscene plays. He performs a ritual, placing each bolt into a carved chamber of stone. As they activate, glowing energy shoots into the sky-symbolizing the spirits returning home.
After the ceremony, Calder thanks you personally. His dialogue changes depending on your Vault Hunter's tone, showing subtle variations between solemnity and pride.
Rewards
Upon completing "Returned to the Mountain," you'll receive both tangible loot and a touching sense of closure.
Quest Rewards:
Mountain's Will (Epic Assault Rifle – guaranteed if not dropped by Rakar)
4,200 XP
Cash Reward: 10,000 Credits
Defiant's Emblem cosmetic (banner or player icon)
Additionally, Calder becomes available as a support vendor at cheap Borderlands 4 Power Leveling the Upper Ridge Outpost, offering gear with Cryo and Shock bonuses-perfect for tackling the next missions in the snowy regions.
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