Once they left Basin Camp at 14,200 feet, Karon felt the difference in her bones. She was wearing out. And Lionel didn’t look like he was faring much better. Clint didn’t say much, just kept up his pace behind her. The wind and cold tore through them. And now, clouds shrouded them in the top heights of Denali.
They stopped for a few minutes and Karon eased the heavy pack off her shoulders. Lionel sat very still twenty feet above her. As she approached, he lifted his goggles. “Do my eyes look all right to you?”
She wasn’t sure what to look for, but the glassy appearance of his eyes scared her. “I don’t know, Lionel. I’m not a doctor.”
“Ten years I’ve been leading expeditions and guiding people on this mountain. I haven’t been sick in all that time.”
Wow. Ten years. She chuckled. “I work with five-year-olds. I’m lucky if I avoid their bugs every few weeks.”
“I’m not trying to scare you. I just believe in being totally forthright. And, Karon, I don’t feel well. The only symptom is a sore throat right now, but I don’t feel well. Not at all.” He replaced all his gear. “Let me get you to High Camp and I’ll radio in. There’s usually a doctor there as well.”
Karon nodded. She couldn’t imagine getting sick on the side of a mountain. Sick at home on a comfy couch or in bed was bad enough. Poor Lionel.
She walked over to Clint and told him what was going on. In a matter of minutes, they were back on the trail to High Camp. Hopefully someone there could help their guide feel better.
An hour of torturous climbing passed in the wind and now blowing snow. The weather had changed from bad to worse in an instant. Lionel, Karon, and Clint were all tethered together with rope, and Karon could barely see the next step in front of her, the visibility was so bad.
So this was the horror all the books talked about. A blizzard on the side of the mountain in the middle of a climb. No wonder so many people never saw the summit.
She redirected her thoughts. Maybe singing a song in her head would help. Clint loved to call her songbird because he always caught her singing something. But up here? Too cold. And she had a hard time keeping a tune going.
What about her memory verses? She’d challenged the ladies in her Bible study class at church to memorize scripture with her. The thought of everyone arguing over which translation made her laugh. It had been one of the first times after her cancer that she stood up and made an executive decision. No one argued with her choice of the NASB because they were so shocked that Karon was back.
The laughter faded in the cold of her mask, but it felt good to think of something other than the agony of each step.
She started reciting at the beginning of Psalm 23. A perfect passage for the task before her.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
There were days, not so long ago, that Karon thought for sure she was headed to the Lord’s house sooner than later. As she focused on heaven and her Savior, she realized some very important things. If the Lord granted her any extra time on this planet, she would live it. Not wonder about all the what-ifs. Not worry about what people thought.
And here she stood. On the face of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. Even if she didn’t summit—she’d be okay. Proud of what she had accomplished. Pleased that she’d tried.
In the next step, her toe kicked something large and the momentum caused her to tumble over the obstruction in the path. When she righted herself, she tugged on the rope toward Clint to warn him.
But as Clint approached, Karon knelt in the storm to see what she’d tripped over.
Lionel! Covered in snow and unconscious.
Clint unpacked one of the sleds while Karon tried to rouse Lionel. But it was no use. The man was out cold. She went to help Clint sort supplies, so they could hopefully make it to High Camp and help for Lionel. With this storm, she felt the urgency as surely as Clint did. The visibility had diminished as the day went on, and they’d now have to pull Lionel on a sled.
Clint yelled over the wind into her ear. “It can’t be much farther to High Camp. Maybe an hour at most. I say we keep going in hopes we can make it to the doctor.”
Karon nodded. “Have you tried the radio?” Her voice screeched.
“I just started warming up the batteries. But so far, nothing. That’s why I think we should keep going. I haven’t seen any other climbers in a while.”
For the first time since they’d started, Karon was nervous. And indecisive. “Are we doing the right thing? Didn’t you read the mountaineering guide? It said it took, what … twice as long to answer questions or make decisions at high altitudes. What if we go the wrong way?” Her breaths quickened as her voice raised in pitch. “What if the storm knocks us off the trail and no one can find us?”
Clint grabbed both her arms. “We don’t have a lot of time, Karon. Let’s move.”
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.