Denali Dreams (9 page)

Zack pushed against David’s arms. “What?”

The other ranger let go. “We received a transmission that their guide collapsed. That’s all we know. We haven’t had any other communication.”

“Where were they? Did you get coordinates?”

John headed toward Zack. “Son, you need to calm down.” The lead ranger could keep a level head anywhere. “We’ll get ready for a rescue once the weather cooperates. But right now, you know as well as I do that there’s no way to fly into that.”

Zack didn’t want to admit anything. The other rangers in the room watched, the seriousness of the moment etched into each of their faces. These people were his family. They understood. Better than anyone.

“I’d like to be the one to fly in.” He straightened his shoulders.

John paused and looked down. “When I clear the flight, you and Kyle will go in. But I want Kyle flying this one.”

Zack clenched his fists.

“We all know, Zack. The Granger woman is special to you. I don’t want you pulling any of your crazy stunts to get in there, putting our people and equipment in jeopardy.”

The anger burned. He needed to risk it all to save Karon. He had to. She had to live.

John strode closer to Zack and waved everyone else out of the room. “Don’t get angry at me about this decision. I see it on your face—I know you’re feeling desperate. You should be thankful I’m even letting you go out, but with weather as bad as this, I need another pilot in case Kyle has trouble. Besides, you can’t fly the helo
and
go down to rescue her at the same time.” The older man laid a hand on Zack’s shoulder.

The heat fizzled out of his anger. John was right. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now get some rest. We don’t know how long this will take. There are several other groups that haven’t made it to their next camp. This storm could have stranded or injured a lot of climbers.”

Zack nodded and watched his boss walk out of the conference room. What would happen to Karon up there without a guide?

A hand on his shoulder made him jump. Kyle stood there with a stupid grin on his face.

“What?”

“You let go of the rope again?” His friend gave him a pat and left without waiting for him to answer.

As he walked to the window, Zack realized Kyle had been correct. Again. But how could he share all this with God? He’d always shouldered his own problems. He was the ranger. He was the rescuer. And even though she’d turned him down, he’d been hoping he could persuade her otherwise.

Then the words he’d spoken to Karon during their briefing came back to haunt him. He’d grilled her about being self-reliant and being able to self-rescue. Seriously? Was this how God was getting his attention?

In all his life, Zack realized how far self had gotten him. Nowhere.

Yep. He’d let go of the rope again. But he could rectify that problem.

Lord, You alone know what’s really going on up there. Please protect all the climbers. And guide those of us who need to help them.

With that simple prayer, Zack grabbed hold of the rope.

T
hirty grueling minutes had passed since Karon and Clint loaded Lionel onto a sled and began dragging him up to High Camp.

She was out of energy and out of memory verses. Whatever possessed her to climb this stupid mountain in the first place? Had she totally lost her mind?

Images of a roaring fire and hot chocolate with marsh-mallows floated through her mind. She felt like one of the little puppies trudging through the snow in
101 Dalmatians.
Her nose was frozen. Her toes were frozen. And yes, even her tail was frozen.

Next time she watched that movie with one of the neighbor kids, she’d have a new appreciation for the little puppy’s feelings.

She heard little B’s voice in her head.
“You can’t quit, Miss Karon. You gotta keep going.”

She’d never forget those words. He’d whispered them to her in the hospital. Then the children’s choir she’d directed for umpteen years came and sang a song from an old Christmas musical.

“Take a step of faith. Take a step of faith. When you can’t see your hand in front of your face, take a step of faith….”

A smile split her chapped lips with the memories. And even with ice and snow covering her from head to toe, she knew she had to keep going. A resurgence of energy came from a well deep within. God was with her. He knew what was going on. He knew exactly where her little speck was on the side of this great big mountain.

And He was in control. No matter what.

A hard jerk on the rope brought her attention back to the task at hand.

Another long, hard jerk. And then she was sliding—no, being dragged—
up
the mountain. What on earth?

She grabbed her ice axe and tried to slow her ascent. Karon sat down hard, dug her boots in, and slammed the axe into the ground. A momentary halt and then another long jerk on the rope. What had happened to Clint? How could he be dragging her up the slope? Or had he found the camp and the other climbers were pulling? But that made no sense—she was out of control and the sleds were tumbling.

Her oxygen-deprived mind searched for answers as she slowed to a stop. “Clint!” The wind overpowered her voice. “Clint! Where are you?”

Nothing. Just the wind.

Karon surveyed her situation. The two sleds were overturned. Which meant poor Lionel was face-first in the snow. She anchored her rope with the axe and raced down the slope toward him. After righting his sled, she found him to be unconscious still. No blood or cuts that she could see. And he was still breathing. Hopefully all the layers protected him from any injuries. The supply sled was a little worse for the wear, but nothing major was damaged.

One horrible question remained.

What had happened to her brother?

Zack checked his gear one final time as John approached. “I’m ready to go, sir.”

His boss nodded. “Keep your head, Zack.”

“Yes, sir.”

The blades of the helo were already whirring as Zack ran to it and jumped in. The weather wasn’t terrific, but at least it had calmed down some. Three other rangers were prepared to drop since a couple other expeditions had been caught in the blizzard. The goal was to get everyone who needed medical attention out, and get everyone else safely back on course.

Easier said than done, but Zack’s attention was focused. He wouldn’t be letting go of the rope again.

As they flew the forty-five-minute flight to Denali, Zack prayed for all the climbers. And he sent up an extra prayer for a tiny brunette.

The wind calmed, and a break in the snow gave Karon a better sense of her bearings. She decided to take advantage of the weather and look for Clint. She checked on Lionel one more time and tugged on the rope to ensure her anchor held. Taking tentative steps away from her supplies, she called out for her brother, each time taking a moment to listen for any reply. She followed the rope she hoped was still attached to him for several steps and almost followed it into a hole.

Every climber’s nightmare. To fall into a crevasse covered by a snow bridge.

Karon lay on her stomach and crawled to the edge, hoping not to follow in her brother’s footsteps. As she peeked over, she spotted him lying in a heap at the bottom. She was a terrible judge of distance, but it seemed a long way away. No wonder she’d felt dragged up the mountain. As his weight fell into the crevasse, the rope had pulled her along. His leg looked crumpled underneath him. She swallowed the bile threatening to rise in her throat. “Clint!” Her voice was hoarse and strained. “Clint! Wake up!”

He moaned.

“Clint!”

Nothing.

Karon tugged on the rope. It was still attached to his harness. She glanced up at the sky. It didn’t look as ominous as before. How long before they were hit with another storm?

Lord, I need help. And strength would be nice. Superhero strength.

Another moan came from below. “My leg. It’s broken, Karon.”

“Other than that, are you okay?”

“I think so, but the pain’s pretty bad. I’ll probably black out again. So don’t do anything stu—”

She looked down. He was passed out again. And without his leg, how would he ever be able to climb out? The crevasse was a sheer drop of ice.

A glance around gave her an idea. If she could just get enough leverage, maybe she could get Clint out of the crevasse herself. But then what? She was still alone, with two unconscious men.

Men! They were all worried about
her
climbing Denali, and look at who was unconscious. She laughed out loud at the thought. Bunch of wimps.

At least her sense of humor was intact. God was with her. Her adrenaline surged. She could do this. Karon Granger. Cancer survivor. Denali climber. And add guide and brother rescuer to the list.

Bracing her legs against a large rock ledge, Karon pulled with everything in her. “Clint!” she yelled into the crevasse. “You lazy bum. Wake. Up.”

She pushed with her feet, and pulled on the rope. Inch by inch. “Clint, so help me, you are going on a diet when this is over.” Each word oozed through gritted teeth. Didn’t some statistic say that grunting or yelling improved your strength by 30 percent? Well, she would yell at her brother the whole way if she had to.

“No more cookies.” She yanked.

“And no more homemade pies.” This time a grunt.

“Until you lose five hundred pounds …” she huffed, “and apologize three million times …”

“Ahhhhh!” she screamed in the frigid air. Every muscle burned, but if she let go now, her brother would crash back to the bottom of the crevasse.

“You owe me!” Another huge pull and she saw what she hoped to be part of Clint’s parka. She had no idea how to get him up over the edge. Her lungs burned. Not enough oxygen for her muscles. Or her brain. Spots danced in front of her eyes.

Lord, I need some help here. Please …

Karon closed her eyes and breathed deep. She tugged again. But lifting him over the edge would be a feat. She took stock of her situation. If she could wedge her feet in that crack in the ledge, maybe she could put all her body weight into pulling Clint up and out.

She jammed her size five boots into the crack and tested her leverage. She could lean back, which would be down-slope, and use her body as a counterweight. A giggle erupted at the thought. Her brother better appreciate the fact that she was strong, because her little frame probably weighed half of his. She’d just have to use every ounce she had left. Clint’s life was at stake.

Karon prayed again. Not even understanding all her requests, but God knew. She bent her knees a few times and tested her foot positioning. Her little boots wedged perfectly in the crack. She wouldn’t slip.

Leaning back, Karon tugged and yanked and pulled with everything in her. Her legs pushed against the ledge. Hand over hand, she inched the rope upward.

Z
ack scanned the mountain below. So far, two rangers had been dropped to help other climbers who’d been hurt seriously in the storm. But no sign of Karon. Yet.

His heart plummeted. The negative voice inside him tried to remind him that was where faith got him every time. Zack shook his head. He. Would. Not. Let. Go. Of. The. Rope.

The voice quieted.

Kyle spoke into his headset. “We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”

Zack nodded. He closed his eyes and sent up another silent prayer.

When he looked down, he laughed. There she was. Waving at him.

Kyle flew close enough for him to drop about a hundred yards away. Zack threw on his backpack and clipped his harness to the line.

Kyle shot him a look and two-finger salute. “See ya soon.”

“Thanks.” Zack dropped out of the helicopter.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, he unclipped his gear and his line and waved Kyle on. Zack used his radio to call High Camp. They weren’t far. And since visibility was better, he could use their help.

Karon’s laughter echoed down to him. Her arm was still raised, waving to him. But as he approached, he noticed she lay upside down, with a crumpled form about ten feet away, and what he assumed to be Lionel strapped to a sled about twenty feet away.