The Climbers

THE CLIMBER’S STORY
Breathing heavily James Michaels pulled himself upright onto the ledge.
The wind ripped at his face as he helped his climbing partner Trish Border up as well.
He looked down towards the bottom of the huge cliff that he had just climbed. He could see the body of the climber who had fallen. A faint red tinge stained the snow around him.
James had known the man all of his adult life and it had been very hard letting go of the rope that secured him to the friend. But he knew he had to because he was being pulled off the cliff himself.

Mount Layton’s Peak was still miles away, James knew, and a vicious snowstorm was rapidly blowing toward the two climbers so they set up camp for the night.
Trish gave him a sad smile as she heated the kettle on the fire.
“You can’t keep blaming yourself,” Trish said as she walked into her tent.
This mountain had already caused him more danger and loss than any other event his life had brought him.
Sadly he walked towards his tent and started walk in. Suddenly a loud rumble erupted from the top of the mountain.
“RISH,” he yelled, “AVALANCHE.”
James turned to run but to his dismay he remembered that the sheer drop of the cliff was the only escape.

The avalanche was upon them! The two tried to fight the wall of snow but it wasn’t long before James could see being thrown off the edge of the huge cliff.
“No,” he whispered before falling himself, down and down into the waiting arms of the snow.

THE FAMILIES STORY
“I’m so sorry,” Samuel, James’ manager, said.
Mrs Brenda Border gasped quietly and Mrs Lauren Michael burst into tears at the horrible news of their children’s deaths.

Lauren stepped out of the building and rang her husband to tell him what had happened. Then she silently drove home to the awaiting family and friends. She said nothing as she walked into the house. All she could give was a slight shake of her head before going into her room.
That mountain had caused more loss and danger in her family than any other event in her life.

THE PUBLIC’S STORY
“Did you hear ‘bout those climbers,” Jack said to his friend Brian as they walked home from school.
“Yeah a shame isn’t it,” Brian replied.
“It’ll put off any climbers for a while.”
“Yeah.”
They looked up at the huge Mount Layton and Jack commented, “Must have been a huge avalanche.”
“Yeah,’ replied Brian, “It must be the most dangerous Mountain in the world.
“And it’s probably killed the most climbers.”