A Helping Hand

A Helping Hand

The wind screamed, protesting human presence at the Base Camp perched on the Khumbu Glacier. 17,000 feet down, 12,000 left, thought Chris, another gust drowning out the flapping tent sound.

The small party of climbers and guides had already spent a week acclimating to the altitude. The summer monsoon season was still months away so this storm was unexpected.

"Nothing to do but wait, I guess." Chris adjusted the heater and tried to sleep.

Chris's eyes snapped open. He blurrily tried to focus. It was then that he noticed the silence ... and his own gasping for breath.

Reaching the tent flap, he pulled, only to find a solid wall of snow. "Oh, crap," he muttered starting to dig frantically through the concrete-like snow.

His attention was diverted by a scrabbling sound. "I'm here," he shouted, as spots began to swim before his eyes. I don't have long, ran through his panicked mind.

He heard a ripping sound and looked up. A large, clawed hand seemed to emerge through the tent top ... as all went black.

Bright sunlight forced open Chris's eyes. He tried to sit up but hands pushed him back. He became aware of a mask over his face and the cold feel of oxygen feeding his starved lungs.

"What ..." he began.

"You are OK. The storm buried us. Luckily you were able to dig yourself free," the accented voice of Tenzig, the lead Sherpa, reassured him. "If you hadn't pulled yourself out, we might not have found you in time."

Chris stared – and then said nothing. No one would believe what he remembered. He wasn't sure he did.

"Sagarmatha has spoken," Tenzig said, using the Nepalese name for Mount Everest. "We go back down."

"OK," said Chris. "After this, I think I'm moving to Hawaii so I never have to see snow again" ... or its inhabitants!" he thought wryly.


Notes:
An entry for the 1/28/10 round of "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  [13+] as part of The Talent Pond's "Winter Writing Warm Up"  [E]
Prompt: Write a story that includes the line: "I'm moving to Hawaii so I never have to see snow again!"
Word Limit: 300
Word Count: 300

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please, if you're going to rate this, leave a comment. Come to think of it - as long as you're here, leave a comment . Criticisms, thoughts, reactions, yes – even a kind word of encouragement – are all equally welcome

Ken