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Using his shovel, he broke the glass, knocking away any shards left in the frame. Snow fell down to the floor as the two men started digging through the hole in the window. Remi propped the flashlight so that it shined into the cockpit, then started scooping the snow to the cabin below.
It was slow going, and in some places they had to hack away at the concrete-like snow, careful not to dislodge the braces they’d placed. Finally, Sam’s shovel broke through. Frigid air blew through the hole, snow swirling in from the storm raging outside.
Remi and Dietrich cheered, breathing in deep, and the three celebrated by splitting a protein bar and a chocolate for dinner, then toasting with water bottles.
After their meal, the three settled against their packs, leaning into one another to conserve warmth.
“What if they can’t find us?” Dietrich asked.
“It’ll be a long walk back,” Sam replied, “but at least we have snowshoes.”
Remi elbowed him. “He’s kidding, Dietrich. Of course they’ll find us. Right Sam?”
“Exactly,” he said, putting his arm around her, knowing he wouldn’t be able to sleep after seeing the force of the wind and snow blowing in, straight toward that same mountain shoulder and the source of that first avalanche. There was no doubt in his mind. If the storm kept up, a second avalanche was imminent. He only hoped it didn’t strike until after they were rescued.
83
Morning took its sweet time arriving. Remi shifted in the crook of Sam’s arm, taking a deep sigh.
“You’re awake,” Sam said.
“I’m not sure I ever slept.” She sat up, turning on her flashlight. “It’s still dark in here. I was hoping for daylight.” She looked over at Dietrich, who was seated to her left. “How about you? Any rest?”
“Not much,” Dietrich said. “It sounds like the wind is dying down somewhat.”
Not enough for Sam’s liking. The constant whistling through the tunnel they’d dug up in the cockpit had lessened a bit in the early morning hours, giving him hope that there wasn’t too much weight added to the snowpack on that right shoulder. But it had started up again at daybreak and didn’t show any sign of lessening.
“Maybe we should try to call,” Dietrich said, standing, clearly anxious. “I’ll go. I don’t mind a little cold. Maybe I co
uld climb out far enough to get a signal.”
“It’s not the cold,” Sam said, realizing he had no choice but to be up front. “That wind was blowing snow straight into that peak all night. As long as there’s a risk of avalanche, we’re better off staying right where we are.”
“So we just wait?” Dietrich asked.
“Not much choice. No sense getting out before our rescuers can start searching. Looks like we’ll be here for a while. I don’t suppose anyone brought cards?”
“Poor planning on our part,” Remi said.
A long stretch of silence followed, broken only by the wind whistling through the tunnel up in the cockpit. Even though the storm showed no sign of letting up, the tunnel they’d dug remained clear, and they took turns checking on it, making sure their braces were holding under the weight of the new snow.
Sam went up to check one last time before they settled in for that night’s ration of protein bars. So far, so good, he thought, able to see a few stars in the black sky. The wind was still fierce, but he hoped it would soon die down.
“How is it?” Remi asked as he joined them back in the hold.
“Snow’s stopped.”
“That’s good, then, right?” Dietrich said as the wind gusted through the barrier.
“Let’s hope so.”
Remi glanced at Sam, saying nothing. Her expression told him that she knew the bigger danger with all that new snowfall was the wind blowing it against the mountainside. He still held out hope, but as they sat there eating, they heard a low rumble and felt a vibration that seemed to penetrate them, followed by a swoosh of air coming from the cockpit as the avalanche covered them.
Sam grabbed his flashlight and shovel, rushed up the ladder, removing the barricade they’d erected to keep out the cold and snow.
“How bad is it?” Dietrich asked as he looked around.
“The tunnel collapsed.” He started digging.
