Mercury level had dropped to -10°C. Thick layer of snow had
concealed everything and the whole landscape was painted white. It was just
another ordinary day for Nanga Perbat, a place devoid of any life except the
occasional visits by the climbing fanatics who dared to step on its surface.
Yusf, Ahmed and Ali were three professional climbers and
apart from this very close friends. Winter had reluctantly arrived but with the
start of January the weather had gone berserk. With its complex and challenging
topography, it was one of the most challenging peaks in the northern areas of Pakistan.
The trio had taken up the challenge and contrived to excel the seemingly
impossible peak in such an abominable weather conditions.
After the grueling journey of five hours from Islamabad they
finally reached the base camp if the Nanga Perbat. Stepping out of the car, the
cold dry wind slapped their faces and indicated the danger up ahead. After assessing the situation and defying all
the odds the three friends started setting up their camp. Ahmed being the
senior and the most experienced summoned the other two inside.
“Look! The weather is nothing what we had earlier thought
of. What do you say? Should we move ahead?” he inquired, expressing his grave
concerns.
“We should take up the challenge. There is no going back,”
retorted Ali, the youngest.
After a heated discussion about their plans, they finally
decided to move on.
Cladded in thick suits and covered from head to toe, they
came out of the camp carrying their bulky backpacks. The sun was now at its
peak and the snow shimmered like the glittering gold. The azure sky was clear
and they stood in awe admiring the beauty of the magnificent peak that they
dared to surpass.
“Let’s go,” exclaimed Ahmed, brimming with confidence and
determination. They finally set on the
arduous journey. Only one hour had passed by now that the things started to go
amiss. The loose ice on mountain slope got detached. The snow cam bursting
through the trees and all the tree climbers were taken by surprise. Stream of
snow took the three friends in different directions and their communication broke
down. Once again Nanga Perbat was in grave silence. The mighty peak stood vindictive
and apparently it had taught the lesson to those who try to stand in its
defiance.
Sudden moment of the ice broke the silence. Ali somehow
managed to gain his consciousness back. He gathered his courage and started the
hunt for other two. There was no sign of life anywhere. It was a difficult time
for him but he had taken up the responsibility to save his friends. By now
apprehension was gnawing him and the frigid weather was deflating his spirits
as he searched here and there in vain.
Feeling dejected at his failure, he decided to give up. When
was just about to sit down underneath the only pine tree, he got a glimpse of familiar
human hand protruding from the snow. A wild excitement rushed through him and
stared to dig the snow madly with his bare hands with a renewed vigor and determination.
He stood there petrified as he saw Ahmed and Yusf under the snow motion less.
He wasted no time and sent an emergency signal for help through his transmitter
and started to perform CPR. He had feared that he might dead but a feeble
moment of their hand gave him a glimmer
of how as tear pricked his eyes.
excellent
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