JUST BACK

My girlfriend and I summitted Mt. Whitney the week before last. While descending, she passed behind a large boulder and disappeared. I thought she headed for camp, but she took a wrong turn. After two nights, our families feared the worst. A helicopter found her alive. She had used spare socks as mittens, plus an emergency blanket and rock piles for warmth. Even experienced hikers make seemingly insignificant mistakes that quickly escalate. Calm and clear thinking can bring about happy endings.

David Lindsay

Long Beach