Looking out across the virgin snow and the virgin forest, Michael had the feeling that he was the first human to ever see this part of the world. As a member of the ski patrol, he could see visible signs of the avalanche danger from the heavy snow last night. He had set his alarm because he wanted to wake up early this morning because he knew that it was vital to inspect the ski area to prevent any skiers from becoming the victims of an avalanche. He had vivid memories
of the last one, a particularly vicious avalanche that was so large that it took out virtually every tree in the area. He had missed being seriously hurt or killed in that one by virtue of being sick-his good friend had volunteered to take his place that morning because Michael had come down with a flu virus.
Michael let his mind wander back to that day when his friend had been caught in that avalanche, buried under such a large volume of snow that it took them several days to find him. It took a loud noise from the snow-packed mountain above to waken him from his daydream.
"Look out!" he heard someone yell, followed by a long list of vulgar words. He could see two men just barely visible far up on the mountainside, where they were very vulnerable to any possible avalanche. Apparently a large chunk of ice had fallen from a tree near them, and they did not know that they were about to violate one of the most important rules of being in heavy snow, which was to stay away from avalancheprone areas. Taking extra care in such areas was never void. With a renewed vigour, Michael tried to ward off a disaster by yelling to the men that they were in danger. Just then a huge volume of snow broke away from the mountainside-it was an avalanche, and the two men that Michael had just seen were gone from his vision. Michael bravely made his way to where the avalanche had fallen and began to wage a war with time to find the men. Luckily, the two men were able to dig out of the snow with only minor injuries.
"I vote we go back to the hotel and stay there," said one of the men. "Great idea!" said the other as Michael helped them find their way back to safety.
of the last one, a particularly vicious avalanche that was so large that it took out virtually every tree in the area. He had missed being seriously hurt or killed in that one by virtue of being sick-his good friend had volunteered to take his place that morning because Michael had come down with a flu virus.
Michael let his mind wander back to that day when his friend had been caught in that avalanche, buried under such a large volume of snow that it took them several days to find him. It took a loud noise from the snow-packed mountain above to waken him from his daydream.
"Look out!" he heard someone yell, followed by a long list of vulgar words. He could see two men just barely visible far up on the mountainside, where they were very vulnerable to any possible avalanche. Apparently a large chunk of ice had fallen from a tree near them, and they did not know that they were about to violate one of the most important rules of being in heavy snow, which was to stay away from avalancheprone areas. Taking extra care in such areas was never void. With a renewed vigour, Michael tried to ward off a disaster by yelling to the men that they were in danger. Just then a huge volume of snow broke away from the mountainside-it was an avalanche, and the two men that Michael had just seen were gone from his vision. Michael bravely made his way to where the avalanche had fallen and began to wage a war with time to find the men. Luckily, the two men were able to dig out of the snow with only minor injuries.
"I vote we go back to the hotel and stay there," said one of the men. "Great idea!" said the other as Michael helped them find their way back to safety.