Breaking The Ice

[Tammi]

This is a closed thread for CG Raven and myself, hope you read and enjoy.

Amy Summerfield
24 years old
5’3” slender, shapely, petite frame, thick ash blonde hair, deep blue eyes

OOC: Amy came from a wealthy family who had not only spoiled her, buying and giving her anything she wanted. From the time when she was born to present day, she had been loved, pampered, taken care of, kept from many things most people dealt with every day. Amy, although intelligent, had started college, but after two years quit, growing bored with it. She had dated, but shortly after quitting college and still a virgin, she married a man that treated her like a princess, catering to her every need and smothering her with adoration and affection. That lasted only a year, and they had divorced, she had broken his heart but he knew she was unhappy and let her go.

Her parents had died in a fire several years ago and since that time her brother had taken care of inheritance as well as all her finances.

IC

“Ted, just tell him I want to get there today. It’s only a couple hours flight, I’ll be at your place long before any silly storm gets there.”

I was pacing the floor, with the phone held up to my ear listening to my brother trying to convince me to wait and come see him in a couple days. I knew it was a last minute decision to fly up and visit him, but I was really getting bored and anxious sitting around the house. Besides that, I wanted to talk to him about selling my house and relocating.

“No it can’t wait Ted. Please, you know how I get when I’m bored. Besides, he works for you, what’s his name…. Don, no Dan yes him. Just tell him to come get me, you’re the boss. I’ll be at the airport within the hour.”

I quickly hung up, knowing my brother would make sure I was picked up. I had to giggle, I could almost see Dan’s face when he got word. I knew he didn’t much care for me and I was probably making his day. Oh well, he did take the job, and I was part of the family.

Wow, an hour, I better finish getting dressed, couldn’t very well go out in just panties and a bra. I raced to my room and threw on pair of jeans and a black pullover sweater. I went to put on my heels, but quickly changed my mind and decided on my boots. The temperature had already started dropping and if I had to wait at the airport, these would be much warmer.

I slipped on my white fur coat, put my small suitcase that I had already packed with a few change of clothes, along with a few personal necessities by the door. I made a quick call and within a few minutes, my driver was there and I was on my way. The driver remarked something about it starting to snow, and I mumbled something, like yes I know. Hell, it snows here all the time, why was everyone making such a big deal about it.

 

[cgraven]

Dan McCarty was beside himself this was not the way he had intended to spend the next few days.


“Mr. Summerfield yes it is possible but the conditions are dangerous, the weather reports warn of possible icing conditions over the mountains, and If I can’t climb over the storm we could be in serious trouble………….. Yes Sir I know but I am telling you it is not wise in my option.………. Yes Sir I understand.”

Damn this was stupid, to put anyone’s life at risk for a spoiled brat. I ran my fingers threw my ginger hair, and wondered why I just didn’t quit right then and there, but I had promised old Mr. Summerfield I would stay on. Oh Ted was all right and I genuinely liked him he had a good head on his shoulders, for business but a blind spot when it came to his sister. I had know Amy Summerfield all of her life. Her dad and I had flown together during the war. He had given me a job as his company pilot when I was wounded and the Navy mustered me out. I owed him and the family. But Amy Summerfield was a spoiled brat, the darling Princess who always had to be catered to, and who always got her way.

“Mike get the Beach craft ready, top off the tanks, and double check those deicing circuits, I got a flight in 40 minutes……… Ya I know but as they say orders are orders”

I went down to flight operations and filed my flight plans and double checked the latest weather forecasts. It was doable but just barely and we would be pushing it.

An hour later and she still had not arrived, and I paced back and froth by the hanger as the storm snow started to fall. Damn what was keeping Her.

 

[Tammi]

Right before we reached the airport, we passed by a bakery and I told the driver to stop and let me run in a minute. He gave me a strange look, letting me know we were already running late and with the weather getting worse, he really didn’t think stopping now was such a good idea.

“Oh just stop, I’ll only be a minute.”

I laughed, smiling at him and after he pulled over I quickly ran in the bakery, buying an assortment of pastries and the special bread that Ted was fond of, this bakery being the only one that had it. 15 minutes or so, I got back in the car and we finally made it to the hanger where I saw Dan pacing back and forth.

Once my driver opened my door, I got out carrying my purse and bag of pastries. The driver went to get my small suitcase while I walked up to Dan smiling sweetly. I could tell he wasn’t too happy that he had to do this, and being late definitely hadn’t put him in a better mood. I almost had to giggle, but refrained and continued smiling.

“Hi, Mr. McCarty, looks like the snow has already started. Guess we better hurry.”

 

[cgraven]

Her car pulls up now a full hour late, and Amy Summerfield comes strolling over as if nothing was wrong.

“Hi, Mr. McCarty, looks like the snow has already started. Guess we better hurry.”

My hazel eyes star back at her innocent blue eyes, and I just shake my head how so like Amy.

“Yes Miss Summerfield”

My voice was curt but polite as I escorted her to the single engine two seater Beech Craft. Mike stowed her bag, and I called out.

“All clear?”

Mike echoed

”All clear”

The engine sputtered to life.

“This is N 16872 requesting permission to taxi for take off?”

N 16872 you are clear to taxi to runway 27w”

So the routine of clearances, and acknowledgement took there natural sequence.

We had climbed to our cursing altitude, and where bucking a stiff head wind as the storm steadily grew worst and the ceiling lowered.

“Miss Summerfield I really recommend that we return this storm is getting worst.”

 

[Tammi]

Watching Dan maneuver the plane getting us in the air always fascinates me. Knowing that he is obviously put out with me, and not happy at all about this trip, he seems in complete control, not letting any of that affect his skills as a pilot.

Miss Summerfield I really recommend that we return this storm is getting worst.

“I have confidence in you, Mr. McCarty. We don’t have that far to go. I’m sure you’ll get us there safely. Besides it’s not the first time you’ve flown in the snow. Just a few weeks ago when we flew it was snowing too.”

Smiling, I turn away and look out the window, excited that we are on our way. And I really didn’t want to see the expression on his face if he wasn’t happy that I wanted to continue. I do see that the snow is getting a little thicker, but it is only snow and it will make skiing that much better. We have needed more.

Reaching into the pastry bag, I take out a chocolate donut holding it to him.

“Hungry Mr. McCarty? I have some donuts or other pastries in here? Nothing like a sweet snack while flying.”

I giggle, hoping this peace offering will lighten his mood a little.

 

[cgraven]

I just can’t believe as she chatters on about flying in the snow, and it’s;

“Hungry Mr. McCarty? I have some donuts or other pastries in here? Nothing like a sweet snack while flying.”

She is giggling for her like everything is just a lark, or she sit and pouts because she is bored.

“No thank you Miss Summerfield.”

Clicking on the radio.

“Midland traffic this is N 16872 request permission to climb to angel 14?”

” N 16872 this is Midway you are cleared to angels 14.”

We climbed to 14,000 and we still had not broken thought the overcast. On our present heading we would be in danger of flying in to a mountain top.

“ Midland this is N 16872 we are altering course to return to Love field. Over.”

There was nothing but static.

“ Miss Summerfield fasten your seat belt we are returning to Love field, it is to dangerous to continue.”

I did not wait for her to answer.

“Midland traffic this is N 16872 we are experiencing heavy icing descending to angels 11. over”

I knew I had to get the her down to warmer air or we would be in big trouble. As we broke through the clouds at angels 11 we where so heavy with ice I knew we where going down.

“Hang on and brace yourself Amy we are going down.”

The next few minuets where a flurry of activity as I put out our distress call and position the ground was coming up fast I flared the nose of the Beach Craft, we hit and ll went black.

 

[Tammi]

Miss Summerfield fasten your seat belt we are returning to Love field, it is to dangerous to continue.

“Turning back, but what… you can’t do…”

Watching him, my words are wasted on him, he isn’t listening or paying attention to me. Before I can voice my frustrations louder, I hear the words heavy icing, and now notice the warning and concern in his voice.

I quickly fasten my seat belt still looking at him while he remains calm, trying to control and steady the plane.

Hang on and brace yourself Amy we are going down.

“WHAT!!!! Going down!!!”

Now fear grips me as I see the serious expression on his face, hear the frustration in his voice, telling me we are going to crash, not warning me we might. I keep looking from him to the window then back again, panicking, my heart pounding, watching him continually trying to hold the plane and give a stress call letting them know we are in serious danger. I saw it before I felt it, then nothing…..

**********************
I stir trying to move and raise my head; having forgotten where I was or that I was belted in. As my eyes focus and my head becomes a little clearer, I see Dan bent over, his head down. There’s broken glass all around, the wind is howling through the plane and it is frightfully cold.

“Mr. McCarty are you alright? Answer me.”

He doesn’t even move. I unlatch my seatbelt and move a little. My body feels so stiff and sore and I feel a wetness running down my forehead. I brush my hand across it and feel a slight pain, then see a tiny bit of blood on my fingers.

“Dan, wake up! Dan you have to be ok!”

I reach my hand over, grabbing his shoulder and lean over to shake him.

My voice is filled with fear, hoping he isn’t… I don’t even want to think that.

 

[cgraven]

There was a soft buzzing in my ears, and my head hurt like hell. A soft muffled voice seemed to break through the fog and the throbbing in my head.

“Mr. McCarty are you alright? Answer me.”………………. “Dan, wake up! Dan you have to be ok!”

I feel a hand on my shoulder and then searing pain , I bat the hand away and slowly left my head. Slowly it came back to me the ice the ground coming up.

“Amy, Amy are you all right?”

God it was cold and I struggled to open my eyes. But they seemed crusted over with something.

 

[Tammi]

“I think I’m alright. But I’m not sure about you. Let me see if I can find something to wipe your head.”

His face was covered in blood, and I wasn’t sure how bad. I didn’t want to sound scared either but I’m sure he could hear the concern in my voice. I went through my purse and found several embroidered kerchiefs, then being able to reach through the open window, I got one kerchief a little wet. I notice how the snow was piling up quickly outside and also that it was still coming down. I got out of my seat, moving closer to Dan and tried not to lean to heavily on him.

“This is going to be really cold, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ll try not to make it hurt.”

I wiped softly across one eye, and he jumped at first, the kerchief was so cold even my hand was freezing. I wiped his other eye, clearing both and noticed a small piece of glass cut into his forehead. I thought about warning him that I was going to pull it out, but remembered how my mother having had to get glass from my knee once and she didn’t tell me. I reached up and pulled the piece from his head, quickly putting the kerchief there as he let out a groan.

“Sorry, but I had to take the glass out.”

My eyes were wide from his reaction, my hands were trembling, not just from the cold but from having to do that to someone. Both of us were obviously becoming very cold.

 

[cgraven]

My head slowly clears and Amy’s voice is clearer now.

“I think I’m alright. But I’m not sure about you. Let me see if I can find something to wipe your head.”

Her voice is quivering and I can here the fear in it, then here moving about. There is a slight pressure on my right side, and I wince as a dull pain shoots through me.

“This is going to be really cold, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ll try not to make it hurt.”

God that first touch of wet clothes was enough to clear my head with the shock alone, causing me to sit bolt upright. I feel her wiping my eyes and my vision starts to clear. Then a sharp pain laces through me damn I groan then the is pressure over my right eye.

“Sorry, but I had to take the glass out.”

“Thanks, I think, Miss Summerfield, there is a first aid kit in the back could you get it?”

I slowly begin the take stock of our situation. Amy is wide eyed and her hands are shaking. I start to check myself, wiggling my fingers and toes, then slowly moving my arms and legs, everything seems to be in working order. My ribs hurt like hell but as best I could tell nothing was broken.

The good thing was that there was no fire and the fuel tanks seemed to be intact the windshield was shattered here I had hit it but otherwise in tact so we at least had some shelter, but it was cold and the night was coming on and we needed warmth or we would never live to see morning. I unbuckled my seat belt and crawled in the back with Amy and rummaged around till I found the emergency pack I kept aboard.
I pulled out the down sleeping bag and opened it out.

“Miss Summerfield we need to get in the bag and conserve as much body heat as we can.”

 

[Tammi]

I crawled in the back searching for the first aid kit, my body was shaking from the cold, even my teeth were chattering. I found the kit and set it down just as Dan crawled in the back searching for something. I sat, putting my hands in my pockets and curled up in my coat as best I could. I was overjoyed that inside my pockets were my leather gloves I had left and I quickly put them on. They weren’t much help, but at least a little.

The wind seemed to be picking up outside, but being in the back of the plane helped, if only a little from the cold bitterness sweeping through the broken windows. I kept watching him, wondering when he was going to do something about how cold it was. I was rather disturbed when I saw him pull out a sleeping bag, who could sleep now, it was so cold.

Miss Summerfield we need to get in the bag and conserve as much body heat as we can.

“That’s how we’re supposed to stay warm? What about back up heat or something, doesn’t everything now a days have a back up? Besides, you made that call and we’re not very far, those people you called should be here any time, right?”

My teeth were chattering as I spoke and the look on his face while he waited for me to get in the bag seemed to be telling me we had a little wait ahead of us.

“Well fine. I guess that’s okay, it’ll probably be only a few hours till they get here and I am freezing. And don’t be getting any funny ideas either.”

I crawled over, and quickly got in the bag.

 

[cgraven]

Amy just looked at me like I was crazy, her eyes were wide in disbelief.

“That’s how we’re supposed to stay warm? What about back up heat or something, doesn’t everything now a days have a back up? Besides, you made that call and we’re not very far, those people you called should be here any time, right?”

How like Amy Summerfield that was, the spoiled little princess, she wanted heat, just because we had crashed that was now excuse. I was dumb struck how could any one in their right mind even conceive that a plan that just made a forced landing in the middle of a blizzard, and smashed up as we where would have a working heating system. Amy’s teeth where chattering and the cold was beginning to have a marked effect on her. I merely held open the side of the bag towards her.

“Well fine. I guess that’s okay, it’ll probably be only a few hours till they get here and I am freezing. And don’t be getting any funny ideas either.”

Amy’s tone was so condescending that I snapped.

“ Miss Summerfield for your information we are in a rather serious situation here. The last transmissions where never acknowledged, They may or may not have been picked up by Midland Traffic.”

I paused taking a deep breath to steady myself.

“Even if they did we where off are flight plan, and there is a blizzard raging outside and until it is over there will be no search.”

I started to unlace my boots, then I stripped down to nothing but my boxers, keeping my clothing at the foot of the sleeping bag.

“ Better strip down to bare minimums it will heat up the sleeping bag and keeps us warmer.”

If looks could kill I would have been dead right then and there.

“Keep your clothes in the bottom of the bag that way they will be warm in the morning. Now try and get some rest we will need it if we are to get out of this alive.”

 

[Tammi]

I was shocked, not because of what he said, but how dare he speak to me like that? Okay so we had to wait a little longer, but damn, I wasn’t the one that crashed his plane.

Well Mr. Grumpy!! I actually thought about calling him that along with telling him a few other things when he shocked me even more. I couldn’t believe he was stripping right before my very eyes. What on earth did he think he was doing? I immediately looked away from him, that hit on the head must have done something to his mind. It’s freezing cold out here and he’s taking off his clothes.

Better strip down to bare minimums it will heat up the sleeping bag and keeps us warmer.

“What?”

I quickly turned around, glaring at him. No, he wasn’t crazy, he was a pervert. I couldn’t believe this. We’re stuck up here in the freezing cold, with a blizzard outside, was what he said, and he wants me to strip and get inside that bag with him. NO WAY! I continued glaring at him, I couldn’t even speak.

Keep your clothes in the bottom of the bag that way they will be warm in the morning. Now try and get some rest we will need it if we are to get out of this alive.

And he was serious too, telling me where to put my clothes, not even asking. He actually expected me to do this. I was shaking so bad now, my body was tense from it, it even was even hurting. I finally took off my boots and started taking off my clothes.

“You damn well better be right about it being warmer once I get these clothes off. And by the way Mr. Grumpy, even if your people don’t start searching, my brother will do something as soon as we don’t show up. He always takes care of me.”

My teeth rattled, my body shook, and I was really mad now. The more clothes I took off, the colder I got, and the madder at him I got. As soon as I stripped down to my panties and bra, I quickly put my clothes where he had told me and then got in the bag with my back facing him.

 

[cgraven]

“What?”

The shock and outrage in that one simple word said it all. Amy just glared at me her mouth hanging open.

“You damn well better be right about it being warmer once I get these clothes off. And by the way Mr. Grumpy, even if your people don’t start searching, my brother will do something as soon as we don’t show up. He always takes care of me.”

Finally she bent removing her boots by the time she slid into the bag wearing only panties and bra her body was shaking with the cold her teeth chattering. She was curled up in a tight little ball with her back to me.

“Miss Summerfield your brother can do no more to help you survive till help arrives than the Man in The Moon”

My voice was sharp, I was cold, hungry, tiered, and every muscle in my body ached. I put my hand on Amy’s shoulder.

“ Now turn around and put your arms around me it will keep you warmer.”

 

[Tammi]

No one had ever talked to me like that before, so mean, so demanding and ordering me around like that. But because of that sharp tone in his voice, his hand on my shoulder, I found myself quickly turning around to face him. I looked up at him with my eyes blazing, my lips puckered and pouting, gritting my teeth from the cold and his cranky attitude.

All I kept thinking was that I didn’t want my body so close up to his, to have his body against mine, to have him even aware that my nipples were so stiff from the cold I could barely feel them or any other part of my body for that matter. And I certainly didn’t want him thinking just because of that I was entertaining other ideas.

But I was so cold, I finally reached my arms around him and pressed my body to his. The minute I did so, I welcomed the warmth of his body against mine. It may not have been the heat of a fire we needed, but it most definitely was warmer than I had been when facing the other way. I could feel his body shaking from the cold just like mine was, and I hugged him closer, all previous thoughts forgotten other than the need to get warm.

I didn’t think there was anyway I was going to quit shaking, or sleep, but it wasn’t long before my head rested against his chest. There was silence between us, the only sound was that of the wind, howling, the storm still having not let up. I fell asleep, hoping that soon searchers would come, Ted surely wouldn’t let me stay out here like this for too long. No matter what Dan thought, I knew my brother would do send someone after us, he always took care of things.

 

[cgraven]

Amy looked up at me her eyes blazing, her lips puckered, pouting, that look all too familiar when on the rare occasion that she didn’t get her way. Gritting my teeth, her eyes showing her distain for the situation slowly put her arms around me and as she felt the feeble warmth from my body moved a little closer. It wasn’t long before her head was snuggled against my chest, and her breathing slow to the slow steady rhythm of sleep.

Amy was a good looking woman, hell she was a beauty, the feel of her body next to mine, her nipples diamond hard from the cold biting into my bare chest, under any other circumstances, would have me taking a chance, but this was far from a normal situation, and she was a selfish spoiled brat to boot. My own arms went around her shoulders as we pressed cloth to each other for life giving warmth.

Tomorrow I would have to take an inventory of what we had to help us survive shelter and fire where the two things we needed immediately. My eyes grew ever heavier as I tried to stave off sleep but it was a losing battle and soon my cheek was resting on Amy’s hair, her fragrance filling my nostrils as I drifted into sleep.

 

[Tammi]

When I woke up, I couldn’t figure out at first where I was. Then feeling Dan’s body against mine and recalling what had happened as soon as I felt the cold air hitting my nose. I snuggled closer to Dan, not wanting to get very far from the warmth of his body, and since he was still sound asleep, I doubted he would mind. I was instantly aware of how quiet it was and noticed that the wind had died down.

Funny, now with him asleep, my arms around him, embraced in his, my thoughts strayed. Here I was almost naked and in a rather intimidate position with a man that I only knew as an employee of my brother’s, yet actually his arms felt very nice around me. Even though he was older, he was in very fit condition and he was a very attractive man, although a mean one.

I reached my hand up to brush a strand of hair from his forehead then noticed the cut above his eye. I whinced just looking at it, although it didn’t look too bad, I never did like seeing cuts like that. I figured when he woke up, maybe I would mention to him about using that first aid kit and doing something about it, cleaning it or covering it.

Then he started to stir and I quickly put my hand back down. I moved down to reach my clothes and pulled them out from the bottom of the sleeping bag. I had no intentions of being undressed when he woke up and I certainly didn’t’ want him thinking…..

I quickly got dressed and then looked for that first aid kit I had set somewhere. By the time his eyes opened, I was leaning over him and had already wiped his cut with the sterile pad I had opened and had put one of the larger bandages on the cut.

 

[cgraven]

The cool touch of a hand brushing the hair from my face, the soft fragrance of Amy, and then the cold. I feel her moving getting dressed so I lay there my eyes closed till I feel the touch of her hand dressing the cut that must be on my fore head.

“Morning Florence Nightingale…………….Thanks.”

The light is very dim, but it’s not quite as cold as last night but we still needed heat if we where going to survive, and that meant fire and there was no safe way to have a fire here not with the aircraft’s tanks at least half full of avgas.

‘”Care for some breakfast Miss Summerfield?”

My voice was soft as there was no need for speaking loud in such a small space, beside my head still hurt. I opened a pack of emergency rations, and gave Amy a candy bar, and I took one for myself. I dressed as I ate and took a survey of what we had. It wasn’t much but it was enough to see us through for the time being.

“Amy we have food and shelter, but we do not have water or a fire. And that is not good.”

I paused and ate a little more.

“And with out those we have two maybe three days if the weather hold good. The conventional logic is to stay with the aircraft. But it could be days or weeks before they find us. Or we can try and walk out of here and find shelter. And there are no grantees that we will.”

The tone of my voice and my eyes let her know how serious our situation really was.

 

[Tammi]

I ate the candy bar he gave me, although I wasn’t to happy that was all there was for breakfast but I didn’t say anything to him. I was very glad that it wasn’t as cold, but wasn’t too happy about the situation he seemed to be saying we were in. I could tell from the look in his eyes, he was very serious.

“Days, weeks up here in this cold? I don’t know about you, but I’d rather leave then. And with all that snow, seems that‘s the same thing as having water, isn‘t it?”

I put my boots and gloves on, then crawled to the front of the plane to get my purse. I emptied some of the stuff out on my lap until I found my small compact and comb. There was a book of matches from a night club I had gone too, along with a pack of gum, a roll of mints, several hair clips and a nail file that laid in my lap. After taking one of the kerchiefs I had left on the seat, I got it wet in the snow and wiped my face. Then I looked in the mirror, powdered my face and combed my hair.

“Damn, that could mean days without a shower too? We better get going then, the sooner the better.”

I put the stuff back in my purse, then looked at him and smiled.

“I guess I’m ready.”

 

[cgraven]

I just stare in disbelief as Amy put on her boots and gloves. Preparing to walk out of these mountains as if we where going to take a walk in the park. This spoiled little princess empties out her purse, she wipes her face and powders her face

“Damn, that could mean days without a shower too? We better get going then, the sooner the better.”

Amy then repacks her purse.

“I guess I’m ready.”

I am fit to be tied as apparently I can not get through to her the seriousness of our situation.. Hell maybe the e mountain can make my point for me.

“After you Miss Summerfield.”

I watch as Amy climbs out of the wreck and starts to struggle through the waist deep snow, she has gone about twenty five yards and is bogged down and totally spent.

“Still think that you are ready to go Miss Summerfield

I go back in and take stock of our supplies, one sleeping bag, and one small Mountain tent, a Coleman lantern and fuel, four days rations, first aid kit and distress flares and smoke, two quarts of frozen water. My backpack but most important are the compass, maps, and two pairs of snow shoes.

When all is ready I lay out distress panels to indicate our direction of travel for our best hope is to reach an old abandoned mining camp about 10 miles from where I think we are. I stand ther looking down at Amy floundering in the snow.

‘These might help Miss Summerfield”

I toss her the snow shoes and hold out my hand to help her get up.

 

[Tammi]

Try as I might, there was no way I was going anywhere in this snow. Everywhere I looked, more snow, deeper, every time I moved, was a struggle, and the snow was deeper. This was impossible and how were we supposed to get anywhere when every where just looked the same. There was a frustration and panic building up inside me realizing now for the first time the serious situation we were in and what he had been trying to tell me.

These might help Miss Summerfield

Just about sitting in the snow, panting and barely able to move, I look up at him just as he tosses me the shoes, I see that he was well aware of what was going to happen letting me walk off in the snow. Panting, my lips puckered and trembling, I take his hand and let him help me up.

“This is impossible, there’s no way we’re going anywhere. No one is ever going to find is this and it’s so cold and I’m hungry and I’m tired and….”

I’m mumbling my thoughts as I make my back in the plane and with shaking hands take off my boots and replace them with the shoes he gave me. I can’t help but noticed that he has been getting things ready for us to attempt getting out of here. He’s either crazy or I have to believe he knows what he’s doing and if we stand any chance of surviving at all, I realize I better start paying closer attention to what he’s telling me. I take several deep breaths and finally look at him seriously.

“Okay, Dan, it’s bad out there and I have no idea what to do. But I don’t want to die up here any more than you do, so I’ll do whatever it takes to help us get out of here. And by the way, call me Amy, it’ll save time and energy.”

 

[cgraven]

She takes my hand and her fear and frustration comes out .

“This is impossible, there’s no way we’re going anywhere. No one is ever going to find is this and it’s so cold and I’m hungry and I’m tired and….”

Back in the plane Amy takes her boots off to my amazement and starts to strap the snow shoes on her stocking covered feet, it is obvious she hasn’t the slightest idea of what she is doing or how to use them. I shake my head as I go to the side pocket in my pack and pull out a pair of old wool socks.

“Okay, Dan, it’s bad out there and I have no idea what to do. But I don’t want to die up here any more than you do, so I’ll do whatever it takes to help us get out of here. And by the way, call me Amy, it’ll save time and energy.”

“Ok Amy”

I pause and hand her the socks.

“The first thing is to put these on to keep your feet dry and warm, then pull your boots back on.”

I show Amy that the oval snowshoes are strapped to your boots then I take her outside and show her by moving slowly that your weight spread out kept you from sinking to deep in the snow. While Amy was practicing I got my pack. I explained my plan and set out the marker panels indicating the direction we where headed. Checking the chart and compass I smiled at her.

“Well shall we go for a walk Amy?”

 

[Tammi]

I was feeling completely stupid and like some helpless child when he gave me the socks, telling me what to do. And I’m sure he looked at me that way too and I was surprised as well as relieved that he was being so patient with me, actually nice. I listened trying to comprehend his plan, I was thankful that he showed me how not only to put on the snow shoes, but also how to walk in them.

I practiced with the shoes, falling several times, but eventually I got the hang of it and saw how much better they worked than just my boots. My feet were also much warmer than before I actually could feel my toes a little bit. I listened to his plan, trying to comprehend it, and I was totally amazed that he knew so much about all this. Watching him check the maps and compass, then his smile, there was no doubt in my mind that he knew what he was doing, just like he did when he was flying the plane. And he was so calm about it all, I really had to admire that.

Well shall we go for a walk Amy?

“A walk? Well, okay, at least that seems possible now.”

I smiled, rather still embarrassed by my lack of knowledge with the shoes. I let him lead the way, staying close behind him. I knew if I lost sight of him, or didn’t keep up, I wouldn’t make it more than a day by myself if even that. Following him, I had to wonder how he had come to know all this, and a curiosity about him started forming in my mind. What he was all about, why had he even bothered indulging in the whims of my family, such as picking me up to go on this trip.

As we walked, the journey was not easy in all the snow, the cold, making it hard to move very fast. It was also tiring, at least for me, having only spent time in snow or the mountains as an entertainment, being able to get out of it whenever I wanted. Having a place to keep warm, get dry, find heat, not even thinking about being able to eat or drink whenever, these things I had taken for granted. Now, those things were the very things that were now a necessity if we were going to survive. My confidence grew for the man I had to believe was going to get us through this alive.

“So Dan, how long do you think it will take us to reach this mining town?”

I finally asked, breaking the silence between us. It was hard to imagine anything being out here when all I could see was white, snow covered ground, a snow covered tree now and then, just snow everywhere.

 

[cgraven]

I kept the pace slow, for we had no drinking water at the moment, and dehydration would be a big problem till we did get some. Slowly we worked our way down from the exposed slops to the shelter of the tree line. We had been walking for half the day, and gone only about 2 ½ miles maybe three. I stopped to take my bearings and to double check the chart.

“So Dan, how long do you think it will take us to reach this mining town?”

It was the first time she had said anything since leaving the crash site.

“ Well as best I can figure we may make it tomorrow maybe the day after”

I paused a minute then smiled at her.

“Amy you are doing well in keeping up………….Would you like some lunch?.........I need a little rest.”

I tried to keep my voice as positive as possible, encourage Amy as moral was vital to survival. I un-slung my packed and produced some hard candy. I did not like the gathering clouds or the shift of the wind, I could smell the coming snow storm, and that is one thing we did not need for it would soon wipe out any trace of the crash site and our directional arrow but we had to get off that exposed mountain top.

I just chatted with Amy about nothing just to keep her mind active and off the predicament we where in. After 15 minuets we pushed off again deeper in to the woods shelter. The wind less strong here, less biting. About two in the afternoon we found a deer yard where elk had spent the night the snow was packed down, and this was a good place to stop for the day as I could see Amy was done in. As quickly as possible I pitched our small tent. And made all ready for the night.

“Your chamber awaits me Lady.”

 

[Tammi]

The hard candy he gave me wasn’t much, but helped ease the growing hunger pains in my belly. As we traveled his voice and mood held encouragement and it was easier to travel knowing he was positive in about our journey.

I was so relieved when we stopped and Dan pitched the tent. I was sore, tired and when Dan said my chamber was ready, I climbed in the tent like it was a castle. I never would have thought some little tent would make me feel so good, but now after traveling, it was heaven on earth.

After getting in the tent, I take off the snow shoes, and sit curling up in my coat, wondering what the night will hold. I am very thankful that we are out of the wind that has come upon us. I smile at Dan, wondering if he has the same worries I do, but hides them better than I do. I also wonder how in such close quarters, we will spend the evening, considering this could get quite boring just sitting here. Like I should be thinking boring right now considering our circumstances.

“Do you think there’s another storm coming? It sure sounds strange out there?”

I smile at him, trying to start up a conversation, knowing we have a long night ahead of us not counting the time we are going to be together until we are off this mountain. I feel nervous listening to the wind, thinking about what the day has held, recalling what we have gone through so far and not knowing what lies ahead. Part of me feels like the child I know he sees me as, the other part trying to be strong and act like the adult I am supposed to be and just get through this.