Avalanche!

by Terry Lynn Johnson

  We knotted the rope tightly around the broken post at the back of the sign. Ryan rolled onto the metal sheet. He wore the backpack and clutched the top of the sign with his gloves.

  “Here goes,” I said. I turned to look at my brother behind me. Our eyes met.

  “Are you avy savvy?” Ryan asked.

  Despite everything I laughed out loud, and it felt so good. He was finally sounding more like himself. He was going to be okay.

  If I could get us out of here.

  I faced the mountain and leaned into the rope so I felt the weight. And then I forced myself to climb.

  The pain in my knee made me gasp. Each step was torture. But the sled moved. Once the metal started sliding, I had to keep it sliding. It’d be too hard to get it going again. In order to keep up the momentum, I couldn’t pause for a break. Not for one second.

  My muscles screamed for me to stop. I kept plodding with my shaggy wolverine snowshoes. One step, flick. One step, flick.

  Sweat ran down my face, pooled in my shirt where the rope cut into my waist. Keep going. Must not stop. Can’t stop. Hot stabbing pulses ripped down my leg. Had to keep going. Our lives depended on it.

  I thought back to our night in the snow cave. We had no more candles. We’d surely freeze to death if we had to stay out here again. Someone had to find us on the trail.

  One step.

  Ryan needed to get help badly. Was he going to lose his feet? Would they turn black like I’d seen in photos of mountain climbers who had to have their feet amputated from frostbite? We had used those pictures at the club to gross each other out. Now I couldn’t stop thinking about the way Ryan’s feet looked.

  Ryan with no feet was not how I wanted him and me to be different. Now all I wanted was for us to be the same, whole and alive.

  One step.

  Knives sliced through my knee. The burning reached my ankle. Must keep going. Ryan was a thousand pounds. He was a grizzly bear. I was a wolverine. I could not give up. The mountain swayed around me. I was dragging a large carcass across the snow. My feet turned into wolverine feet. Fearless feet.

  One step.

  I stumbled over a ridge and fell onto a hard-packed trail. My feet didn’t sink. I glanced around with sudden awareness as I collapsed.

  “Trail?” I croaked. “Did we make it?”

  “Ash,” Ryan said.

  I picked up my head and tried to focus on where we were. My heart pounded in my ears. My arms quivered, barely holding up my chest.

  “It’s the trail!” I rasped. “Help!” I tried to scream, but only a pathetic, strangled squeak came out. I had lost my voice.

  And that’s when I saw the pack of wolves running on the trail toward us. We were going to be torn to shreds after all.

  Ryan raised his hand. “Help!” he yelled.

  I tried getting up to run, but my legs would not work. I couldn’t make them obey. Could not take one more step. I had used every ounce of will to get up the mountain and onto this trail. I covered my head with my arms.

  And then they were on us. Hands reached down to grab me. Hands?

  “Where did you guys come from?” someone said. “Hey, it must be the missing kids!”

  “Are you okay?” another voice said, closer. “They’ve been looking for you over on Chiseler Ditch.”

  I looked around in confusion. I felt almost delirious with exhaustion and could hardly see straight. Was I dreaming? The wolves stood next to me in a line. Some rolled in the snow. They all had their mouths wide open, tongues hanging out.

  “Sled dogs,” Ryan said. He started to cry. Which made me start to cry.

  We had made it. We had found the trail; it wasn’t a dream. We were going to see our parents.

  More people crowded around us now. They stood on the trail looking concerned and a bit startled. The dogs panted, with big smiles. Someone wrapped me in a blanket.

  “You have to help my brother,” I said.

  Chapter Twelve

  Back home, two months later

  “I’ve never heard of such tenacity,” the reporter said, staring at me. He shook his head in amazement. “Most people would not have been able to persevere and keep going up that mountain.”

  I glanced at Dad to see him staring at me with the same expression.

  “How is your knee?” the reporter asked.

  I rubbed it and shrugged. “I’m still doing physical therapy for the torn meniscus. But it should be good enough to ski on next season.” I knew what he was going to ask next.

  “What about Ryan’s feet?” he said. “Is he okay? How’s his head?”

  “We’re still waiting for the doctors to make a decision about his baby right toe,” I explained. “Whether the tissues will regenerate and heal themselves.”

  “Resilience” is what the doctors called it, when the body bounces back from injury. Just like his concussion. Ryan still had some memory gaps, but as long as he didn’t hit his head again, his brain would be okay. He had no lasting brain injury.

  “It’ll be another few weeks before we know if he’ll lose his toe.” My throat closed up when I said it.

  My brother had endured weeks of pain. His feet had swelled up. There were huge blisters, leaking pus. I’d snuck in while he was sleeping to look. But I’d kept myself busy during the day while he lay in bed. I wasn’t ready to talk to him. I was afraid he was mad at me for not looking after him better. But telling the story again reminded me that I had saved Ryan’s life. I had made it up the mountain and pulled him to safety with me.

  Dad moved toward me and put his hand on my shoulder. “We’ve told you before, Ash. If he loses the toe, it’s not your fault. It’s because of you that he’s even here. What a fighter you are.” He said it like he did when Ryan won something. His eyes were shiny.

  The reporter cleared his throat and turned off his recorder. “Grit is the single most important character trait for success in life.” He began to pack his things.

  “And my daughter’s got it in spades,” said Dad.

  “You must be very proud of her,” the reporter said.

  Dad wrapped his long arms around me and pulled me in. “So proud,” he said.

  I let those words sink in. Grit and proud. I may not have won any science fairs, or been the best skier on the team, but I had grit and my father was proud of me.

  Ryan hobbled with his crutch through the kitchen door then. I could tell from his face that he’d been listening. Usually I sensed him near, but this time I hadn’t been paying attention.

  “My sister has the heart of a wolverine,” he said proudly.

  I raised my chin and felt something relax inside me. We looked at each other and grinned.

  “And she sort of smells like one too.”

  I got up and jabbed him in the gut.

  Author’s Note

  As wilderness safety and technology advance, more people are venturing farther into backcountry areas. Personal devices such as SPOT satellite trackers provide a feeling of greater security. Still, with more people exploring the wilderness, there is no shortage of stories of avalanche tragedies.

  According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, over the past ten years an average of twenty-seven people died each winter in avalanches in the United States.

  During my research for this book, I came across many avalanche survival stories as well. One such incident provided some inspiration, about two friends being swept up in an avalanche and one of them losing his memory as a result of head trauma. Perhaps this caught my attention because many years ago, my own brother was in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

  While this story was inspired by true events, some details are fictional, including the names of the characters and a few settings.

  As always, my true interest lay in exploring the human spirit. In this story, Ashley has grit. This character trait, which gives the tenacity to persevere, is the single most important factor in survival situations. Wilderness survival begins with
the right attitude. And the best example of that for me is the wolverine, the most tenacious animal and one that we have only begun to understand.

  As a pivotal moment in the story demonstrates, wolverines have been known to fight off grizzlies and dig up carcasses buried under the concrete snow of avalanches. Near the Grand Teton, a study area to learn more about wolverines is part of an effort to map their behavior, range, and habitat south of the Canadian border. For more information about these extraordinary animals with large snowshoe-like paws, check out the Wolverine Foundation at www.wolverinefoundation.org.

  SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SURVIVE AN AVALANCHE?

  Avalanche and Wilderness Safety Tips

  COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL AVALANCHE CENTER, UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE, AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

  BE RESPONSIBLE: Your safety and the safety of others around you are your primary responsibilities. What you wear, where you go, the equipment you carry, and how you conduct yourself are vitally important. Find an informative introduction to the North American Avalanche Danger Scale here: youtu.be/r_-KpOu7tbA.

  BE AVALANCHE SAVVY: Take a certified avalanche course. Know the three conditions below that must be present for an avalanche to occur.

  Slope: Avalanches generally occur on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

  Snowpack: Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and “whumpfing” are signs of unstable snow.

  Trigger: Sometimes it doesn’t take much to tip the balance: people, new snow, and wind are common triggers.

  THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF AVALANCHES:

  Slab (left) and sluff (right)

  Slab avalanches occur when a cohesive slab of snow releases over a wide area.

  Sluff avalanches occur when loose superficial snow releases at a point and fans out as it descends.

  BE AWARE: Know the avalanche danger and conditions where you will be recreating. Heed all warnings.

  BE PREPARED: Have at least the following three safety items with you at all times and know how to use them. Everyone in your party should carry each of these items:

  Avalanche transceiver: Know the terrain and avoid dangerous conditions. If you are caught in an avalanche, use your avalanche transceiver to help others in your party find you.

  Avalanche probes: These collapsible poles are longer than ski poles and are the perfect tool to use if you need to begin searching for someone buried under the snow.

  Shovel: Each person in your party should carry a shovel. Shovels can help you dig others out who may be caught in an avalanche, help determine snowpack conditions, assist in leveling out an area for a tent, or be used to break down and melt snow for drinking water. Watch a video about how to use rescue tools here: youtu.be/SncL8kd8-DI.

  Backpack: Your pack should hold all your rescue gear, food, water, dry clothing, first-aid kit, and more. See a detailed list of items and tools to take with you when you enter backcountry here: www.fsavalanche.org/get-the-gear.

  Partner: None of this equipment will help you if you venture into backcountry alone. Always bring a buddy.

  BE BEAR AWARE: Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Many people never encounter a bear, but if you do, you can follow some tips to keep yourself and others safe.

  Bear attacks are rare; most bears are interested only in protecting their food, cubs, or space. However, being mentally prepared can help you respond effectively. The guidelines that follow provide general advice as well as different ways to respond to attacks by brown bears and black bears. Help protect yourself and others by reporting all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Above all, do your best to avoid an encounter. Follow viewing etiquette! Keep your distance from bears and avoid surprising them! Respect their habitat, as with all wildlife. Most bears are not interested in interfering with humans and will stay away if they hear them coming. Ask in advance about bear activity in the area where you will be hiking, and learn to recognize areas where bears are likely to be on account of a food source like berry bushes.

  Remember, the most important deterrent is to keep your distance from bears! But here are some things you can do if you encounter a bear:

  Do not run.

  Remain calm.

  Identify yourself. If you talk calmly to the bear, the bear will recognize you as human and not a prey animal.

  Hike and travel in a group. Make yourselves look as large as possible.

  Do not allow the bear access to your food. Do not drop your pack.

  If the bear is stationary, move slowly and sideways, this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears.

  Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.

  Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs. Never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.

  Carry and know how to use bear spray. It can be used to deter a charging bear.

  Remember: You are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of those around you.

  FIND MORE INFORMATION AT THESE WEBSITES:

  www.avalanche.org

  www.fsavalanche.org

  www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go

  www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm

  Acknowledgments

  In my research for this book, I collected information from many sources, including books, reports, and transcripts. In addition, I received specialized advice from the following individuals, to whom I am grateful: Jon Stephens, game warden with the Wyoming Fish and Game Department, and Bruce Tomlinson, retired Ontario conservation officer, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

  The wording on the avalanche sign that Ashley finds was inspired by the Glacier Country Avalanche Center at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.

  Thank you to my critique partners, Marcia Wells and Amy Fellner Dominy, who provided feedback and encouragement.

  Thanks also go to Jackie White, and to Chris and Steven White, for once again reading the manuscript and commenting like pros.

  Any errors in the story are my own.

  Chapter One

  “Tell me, Carter. How did you survive being lost in the rainforest?” the reporter asked. He pressed Record on his phone.

  I spun around on my barstool and spread my arms like the wings of a California condor. Or maybe like a trumpeter swan, with the greatest body mass of any living bird native to North America.

  “Did you talk with Anna?” I asked.

  “I’ll be meeting with her tomorrow.”

  The reporter rolled up his sleeves, then produced a notepad and pen from his shirt pocket. “I want your version of what happened in Costa Rica,” he continued. “This interview is for the survivor diaries I’m writing. About kids like you making it out of life-threatening situations. You’re younger than Anna, only eleven years old, right?”

  “Yeah—” I jumped up and turned to find the source of the squeal behind me, but it was just one of the little kids Mom babysits. I guess I still had a residue of jittery nerves.

  Mom scooped up the kid. “Time for a nap, I think. I’ll be right back.” She headed for the stairs. I hoped she noticed I had jumped only a tiny bit.

  I sat down again to face the reporter, and thought back to my time in the jungle. My hands felt clammy, and I dragged my palms across my red sweatpants. Red like the breast feathers of the resplendent quetzal. The bird that had started it all. Adding the endangered bird to my Life List—all the different bird species I’ve seen—nearly ended my life.

  “All right.” The reporter rubbed his hairless head and looked at me expectantly. “Tell me what happened.”

  “The monkeys,” I said. “Their calls were so terrifying. You can hear them three miles away. Did you know howler monkeys are the loudest of all the New World monkeys? That’s what freaked out Anna. They were leaping overhead. The branches
of the trees shook all around us. We could hear the roaring, coming closer . . .”

  “What monkeys?” The reporter’s long forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Carter, start at the beginning.”

  I took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Okay. It all began with licking an ancient statue.”

  Available July 2018!

  Visit www.hmhco.com or your favorite retailer to preorder the book in its entirety.

  Visit www.hmhco.com to find all of the books in the Survivor Diaries series.

  www.survivordiaries.com

  MiddleGradeMania.com

  About the Author

  TERRY LYNN JOHNSON has lived in northern Ontario, Canada, for more than forty years. She grew up at the edge of a lake, where her parents owned a lodge. For many years, she was the owner and operator of a dog-sledding business with eighteen huskies. She guided overnight trips, teaching winter survival and quinzee construction, and slept in the quinzees she helped build. During the school year, she taught dog sledding at an outdoor school near Thunder Bay, Ontario.