Hope In The Cold: Winter Pursuit
This is for the SNOW MICRO challenge
It was a frigidly cold morning as I picked up my emergency backpack and pulled out my cross-country skis. I called out to Jasper, my chocolate brown labradoodle, to get a move on. Time was not on our side. The previous night's arctic blasts and snowstorms would complicate this search.
Being on the rescue mountain team for the last twenty years, I had seen more than my share of frozen blue human beings. A snowboarder had gone missing yesterday when he decided to wave away danger when engaging in off-piste skiing.
The search and rescue team had scoured the icy area. The deep snow made their efforts laborious. Then, the glacial temperatures and snowstorm rolled in, with white, pregnant clouds ready to deliver a heavy load of fresh, clean snow.
We will traverse these icy hills, looking for clues. As the crisp pine scent mingles with my cold breath, the brisk winds howl with the skis' hypnotic crunch, flattening the shimmering snow covering.
For such a beautifully majestic snowy site that looks so serene, a winter fanatics paradise. It can also be just as a deadly white blanket. Sadly, these adventures pay dearly for that when they throw caution in the nippy wind.
What will Jasper and I find when we arrive at the area in question? Did this snowboarder have a chance to live, or was he buried in Mother Nature's wintery rage?
For his family's sake, please God, let us not have to wait for the spring thaw.
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Comments (7)
This was compelling. I also like the phrase "nippy wind."
Intriguing and loved the build up to the story!
This is well done and full of suspense. Nice take on the challenge.
You have a knack for building internal tension and ending the piece exactly as it should. I especially loved "the brisk winds howl with the skis' hypnotic crunch, flattening the shimmering snow covering," which captures the heaven that winter can be. The peace juxtaposes the chaos and angst that hangs in the background, since there is a man missing. Very well done. Very random question, but where is that picture taken? Looks like Hyalite Canyon outside of Bozeman, MT (where I used to live).
Oh goodness, such a difficult situation! There are always those that think they can beat Mother Nature. Great storytelling :)
Nature is a formidable opponent , great story
Adventure will call, but one has to weigh the danger to self and potential rescuers. So tragic when we put others in danger along with ourselves. Hoping for the best.