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“That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said, sweeping his binoculars across the far side. “Over there.” He pointed in the opposite direction than the one Durin had indicated. “I think if we approach from the east instead, we can rappel down that rock wall and cut the time in half getting to the bottom of the gorge.”
“Starting from where?” Remi asked.
“About a half mile from here. See those two trees below the crest near that outcropping of rock?”
She turned her binoculars in that direction. “Got it.”
“Let’s drive over for a closer look.”
—
THE AREA WAS even farther from the road. There was about a fifteen-foot descent to the trees, where they could anchor. An easy rappel from there to the bottom would cut significant time from their journey. “This’ll work.”
“What about when we get to the other side?” Remi asked.
Sam pointed. “We could scale up that rock face to the ledge where the jacket is. Or close to it. There’s a fairly even vertical crack running up from the bottom.”
“You think we can get to the ledge?” she asked, lowering her binoculars.
“Possibly, but that’s not what we’re aiming for.” He lifted his glasses, studying the crack line leading up the cliff.
She took another look, adjusting her focus. “What then?”
“If we climb past the height of the ledge and come in from above, we’ll have a better view.”
Zakaria stood near them. “What if they’re not there?” he asked. “Maybe they’ve already started back.”
They could only hope, but Sam doubted it. “If so, there should be some signs—assuming we can get there before the rain starts. We’ll see if we can track their direction. If they’re there, we should find them.”
A solid plan, he thought, glancing over toward Zakaria, who looked a bit pale as they slid into their harnesses and buckled on their helmets. “You’re sure you’re going to be okay here by yourself?”
Zakaria nodded as he eyed the gear hanging from their harnesses. “I’m more worried about you. That way seems dangerous. And the storm is coming in much faster than anticipated.”
“If they’re hurt,” Sam said, sliding his pack over his shoulders, “we need to get to them as soon as we can.”
Zakaria gave a dubious glance toward the sheer rock wall on the other side of the gorge. “How will I know if I need to go get medical help?”
A good question, since they had no idea if they’d have cell coverage at the bottom of the gorge or on the other side. This side was sketchy, the signal strength depending on where they stood. Remi had also packed a satellite phone, but they’d have to be out in the open. The last thing they wanted to do when time was of the essence was discover they had no way of calling for help.
“If,” Sam said, raising his arms above his head, then crossing them into an X, “you see either of us doing this, it means we need medical assistance or help getting to them.”
“And if you find them and they’re okay?”
“You watch American football?”
“Touchdown!” Zakaria’s eyes lit up as he raised both his arms over his head. A moment later, his expression turned serious. “Let’s hope you score.”
Sam tossed him the key fob, and Remi left him her extra pair of binoculars, before they started out. The dry red dirt crumbled beneath their feet as they made their way around the large boulders to the trees where they anchored their ropes.
Just before they started down, Sam glanced back at Zakaria, and then the horizon, eyeing the dark clouds gathering in the distance.
Zakaria was right. The storm was coming in fast.
9
The gusting wind sent their ropes spinning, slamming them against the cliff face, making their descent even longer than anticipated. They reached the bottom, leaving the ropes in place for their return. Sheltered from the wind now that they were at the base of the ravine, they picked their way over scattered broken boulders and rocks down to the creek bed.
Thunder cracked in the distance as they hefted their packs, walked along the creek, when Sam pointed toward the edge of the water where a trail of waffle boot prints moved in the same direction. “Someone’s been here recently.”
