Climbing Trail
The Andes tragedy Part 13
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On the morning of November 17, the blizzard finally subsided. Without saying much to me, Roberto and Tintin packed up the things we were going to bring. This time we will try to head towards the valley in the east instead of climbing that mountain. Numa, who Roberto refused to join because of the rotting state of his feet, only looked at us in silence. I understand his disappointment, I hope this does not break his spirit.
The sun is shining and the breeze is. We didn't talk much during the trip. I just focused on my steps. And for the few miles we've been through, the only sound that's heard is the crackling of my rugby boots in the snow. After walking for about an hour and a half, I heard Roberto screaming. He found the tail of the Fairchild plane.
We immediately searched for valuables in the scattered suitcases. We found socks, sweaters and pants. We also found several bottles of rum, a box of chocolates, cigarettes, stale sandwiches and a camera containing the film.
We were all so happy that we almost forgot to look for a radio battery, Carlos Roque once said that it was stored in the tail of the plane. After searching, we found him in the dugout behind the tail entrance of the plane.
It turned out to be bigger than I thought. We also found an empty Coca-Cola box in the back trunk of the plane's kitchen, which we lifted out and used to make fire. Roberto grilled some meat
which we carry, and we eat it with gourmand. We also opened the sandwich we found, then ate it. When night came, we spread out the clothes we found as a base and slept on them.
With the wires coming from the tail wall of the plane, Roberto connected the plane's accu with the lights and installed them on the ceiling of the plane, and for the first time we had lighting at night. We read some magazines and comic books found in the trunk, I also photographed Roberto and Tintin with the cameras we found. If we can't survive, hope someone will find our camera and wash the film so they know we've lived, even for a little while. For some reason, all of this is very important to me.
It is very enjoyable to be in a warm room that is quite spacious, can straighten the legs and change sleeping position. In the morning we were tempted to linger in this cozy place, but we remembered their friends and hopes for us. Then we continued our journey.
The morning was snowy, but by noon the sky was clear, the sun warmed the body, and on the way we became very sweaty because of the warm clothes we were wearing.
After weeks of being in the cold, the heat of the body made us tired quickly, and in the afternoon we were forced to rest on a stone bulge. We ate a few pieces of meat and melted snow to drink, even though we had eaten and rested, none of us were able to continue the journey until we decided to spend the night at the place.
The sun was shining hotter that afternoon, but at dusk the air temperature began to fall. We dug snow for shelter, and covered our bodies with blankets. It was a very cold night, this place had given us absolutely no protection.
Tonight was my first night out of the plane, I immediately understood that Gustavo, Numa, and Maspons must have suffered a lot while skipping the night on the open slopes. The night is no better than the night before. The coldness attacked us mercilessly, I felt my blood freeze. We hugged each other to get a little warmer. We found a way to keep warm, our bodies stacked together like sandwiches. We slept in this way for a few hours, the middle position was filled alternately, and although we were unable to sleep, we tried to rest until the early hours of the morning. When morning finally came, we came out of the shelter and warmed up in the morning sun. Thinking of the horrors of last night, I was grateful to still survive.
"Maybe. But the others depend on us, we have to keep going." I said.
Roberto looked at me furiously.
"It's futile! We could be the dead! "
"Then what should we do? "
"Let's get the accu from the tail of the plane, we'll take it to Fairchild. If we can use Fairchild radio, we can survive without risking our lives." Answer Roberto.
"I'm afraid we're wasting our time."
"Do we always have to argue? This radio can save our lives." Answer Roberto again.
"good. I concur. But if this doesn't work, then we're climbing like my original plan." My reply.
Roberto nodded. We're moving back to Fairchild. Easier when walking down the valley when leaving. In a short time we arrived at a heavy hiking trail. Our energy ran out as we struggled through it. The track is very steep, about 45 degrees and snow is as high as my hips. My muscles feel burning.
We arrived at Fairchild's body in the afternoon, the friends greeted us coldly. It's been six days that we've left them, and they're hoping we're close to civilization.
Our appearance has shattered all their hopes. But it wasn't the only thing that weakened their spirits, as long as we left, Rafael Echavarren passed away.
"Before he died, he was always delirious" Carlitos said to me, "He kept calling his father to be picked up. On her last night, I asked her to pray and it made her calmer. A few hours later, he began to see
out of breath, and he died soon."
(Connected)
