Our advice
How do you manage exploration stoppages?

Your explorers have found themselves at the heart of the territory to be conquered. They know better than you what has been difficult and what has been successful. Whether they propose to stop the adventure or it's a top-down decision, you need to be very clear about the reasons for stopping. You need to remain factual, and base your decision on objective, defensible criteria. Otherwise, acceptance will be more difficult to digest, especially if they feel the decision is unfair.