The way became increasingly difficult and the footing insecure. Once Jack dislodged a small rock and it clattered down the mountainside hundreds of feet. Canyons bore the scars of sizable slides. Warner told the Scouts that in winter avalanches were a great hazard in this area—that even a small rock slide could be very dangerous.
Lunch was frugal. Mr. Livingston boiled water for tea, but in the high altitude it took a long while. The Scouts satisfied themselves with crackers and cheese.
“It’s always wise to eat lightly when you’re climbing,” Jack said with a grin.
For another hour, they fought their way upward through the tumbled rocks. It was Warner’s hope that they could find the pass and before nightfall descend to a good camp site in the valley.
Chapter 17
AVALANCHE
The party worked itself on up toward the summit, climbing doggedly, single file—when suddenly a strange noise was heard.
Warner, in the lead, looked up quickly. A giant boulder was hurtling down the steep mountainside, taking all before it.
“Stand where you are!” he shouted hoarsely. “Don’t move!”
As the great boulder bounded down the mountainside toward the Scouts, they stood frozen. It was impossible to guess the exact course the big stone would take, for it was careening wildly.
To run when the footing was so treacherous would have been far more dangerous than to remain where they were. Craig Warner, an experienced mountaineer, had made his split-second decision and his shout of warning had been instantly obeyed by the Explorers. However, to remain motionless as the massive rock raced toward them required almost more willpower than they could command.