The Avalanche – Turning Point
The turning point in the climber’s journey came in the form of an avalanche that hit, changing the course of their expedition forever. Having been navigating a narrow pass, in a moment the climber was swept by the cascading snow. The avalanche pressed the climber into a crevice where they received injuries. When the falling snow steadied and the storm gained intensity, the climber became conscious of the fact that he was trapped and could neither move nor reach communication with the outside world. With their immediate surroundings now hazardous, they had to rely on their knowledge of survival to stay alive.
In this moment of isolation, the climber was forced to confront the reality of their situation. The hope of reaching the summit had now turned into a fight for survival. The next steps were critical. The climber found shelter within the narrow crevice, which offered very little in terms of protection against the elements. The adrenaline for the moment started to wane and the long days ahead would require not only physical endurance but an unbreakable mental resolve.
