Hope In The Cold: Winter Pursuit
This is for the SNOW MICRO challenge
It was a frigidly cold morning as I picked up my emergency backpack and pulled out my cross-country skis. I called out to Jasper, my chocolate brown labradoodle, to get a move on. Time was not on our side. The previous night's arctic blasts and snowstorms would complicate this search.
Being on the rescue mountain team for the last twenty years, I had seen more than my share of frozen blue human beings. A snowboarder had gone missing yesterday when he decided to wave away danger when engaging in off-piste skiing.
The search and rescue team had scoured the icy area. The deep snow made their efforts laborious. Then, the glacial temperatures and snowstorm rolled in, with white, pregnant clouds ready to deliver a heavy load of fresh, clean snow.
We will traverse these icy hills, looking for clues. As the crisp pine scent mingles with my cold breath, the brisk winds howl with the skis' hypnotic crunch, flattening the shimmering snow covering.
For such a beautifully majestic snowy site that looks so serene, a winter fanatics paradise. It can also be just as a deadly white blanket. Sadly, these adventures pay dearly for that when they throw caution in the nippy wind.
What will Jasper and I find when we arrive at the area in question? Did this snowboarder have a chance to live, or was he buried in Mother Nature's wintery rage?
For his family's sake, please God, let us not have to wait for the spring thaw.
About the Creator
Daphsam
Loving Wife, Mom, Dog Mom- A Dyslexic dreamer who never thought I could read or write. But life changed, and I conquered my fears. I am an artist, photographer, wordsmith and illustrator. Looking to weave stories and poems with my artwork.
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
The Spring
The sun was high when Lance pulled off the road and into the dusty lot of the service station. The sign back at the hairpin--the first sign in a long time--said they just rolled into Hatter’s Creek, Population 63. It was small enough it didn’t appear on the handmap in Shelby’s lap, yet here it stood, the first backwater township on the fringes of the National Park. The plan was to gas up, restock the snack bag, and press on into the wilderness.
By Zack Graham4 days ago in Fiction
Ayaka
Shin li Sato was known throughout the martial arts world for his shadow ghost twin technique. This technique allowed Shin's inner soul to release from his body as a shadow, the two would fight in unison helping to defeat his opponents. Shin created his technique when he was only ten and became known as a fighting prodigy because of his very hi qi vibration. By the age of eighteen he participated in the renown Golden Dragon martial arts contest and won against all his peers and became the Golden Dragon Lord, founding the Shin li Sect. Shin took in Sho Haruka when he was twelve and showed him the shadow ghost technique. He wanted to pass it down to Sho since he regarded him as his little brother. But Sho’s low qi vibrations prevented him from learning the technique properly, but Shin still kept him by his side.
By Vara Raine7 days ago in Fiction
Letter to our Queer & Trans Youth
Hey, you. I thought I’d start this letter by telling you a little about myself, just so you know who you’re dealing with. I’m an emotional dad, father to three amazing kids who we met through the foster care system, and whose presence in our lives has really transformed my sense of responsibility to the communities that surround us. The connections we’ve made with one another, with our extended families, and with the communities where we live and look for belonging have catapulted us into this whirlwind of emotional tumult which, while not easy by any stretch of the measure, has also been remarkably healing. I realize ours is really only a one-sided chosen family, since our kids didn’t get to choose to live here, but I’d like to think that they did choose to let us love them, which allowed them to grow to love us. And I think that’s where I want to go with this letter- to a place where you can find belonging and healing- even if the pathway there may be peppered with some emotional tumult.
By F Cade Swansona day ago in Pride
Comments (7)
This was compelling. I also like the phrase "nippy wind."
Intriguing and loved the build up to the story!
This is well done and full of suspense. Nice take on the challenge.
You have a knack for building internal tension and ending the piece exactly as it should. I especially loved "the brisk winds howl with the skis' hypnotic crunch, flattening the shimmering snow covering," which captures the heaven that winter can be. The peace juxtaposes the chaos and angst that hangs in the background, since there is a man missing. Very well done. Very random question, but where is that picture taken? Looks like Hyalite Canyon outside of Bozeman, MT (where I used to live).
Oh goodness, such a difficult situation! There are always those that think they can beat Mother Nature. Great storytelling :)
Nature is a formidable opponent , great story
Adventure will call, but one has to weigh the danger to self and potential rescuers. So tragic when we put others in danger along with ourselves. Hoping for the best.