Denali Dreams by Ronie Kendig, Kimberley Woodhouse Page A
Authors: Ronie Kendig, Kimberley Woodhouse
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shoulder. “You
are
ridiculous.”
“Well …” He thought for a moment. “No, I have no idea what his name is. Can’t we just call him ‘rookie’?”
David’s laughter rumbled. “It’s okay. I don’t remember his name either.
Dude
,” his friend mimicked the new ranger. It cracked his nervous shell. “Normally takes me a while to get used to the new guys anyway.”
“Yeah, but most of the time, we know ‘em first. We’ve worked side by side or climbed together.” Zack took a long swig from his water bottle. “And it didn’t help that I was distracted the guy’s first few days.”
Another punch in the arm. “So the great adventurer finally admits it? He’s come down to the same level as us regular people and found out there’s more to life than the great adrenaline rush?” David swept his arm wide and pretended he had an audience. “Hear ye, hear ye—”
“Oh, shut up.” Zack couldn’t help but laugh and pitched a snowball at David.
“But you admit you were checkin’ up on your girl, huh?”
The words “your girl” had a nice ring to them. If only Karon hadn’t turned him down. Yeah, he was pathetic. All these years he’d avoided women and relationships. Amazing how one week could change it all. “Haven’t heard anything today. The wind’s been howling really bad up there the past few days, so I was a little concerned.”
“Aw. You’re worried. How sweet.”
Zack punched his friend in the arm. “Concerned. Not worried. I just wanted to know if they’d checked in.”
“Uh-huh. Pa-the-tic. Just sayin’.”
“Better watch it, David. Wait until you find someone. I’m gonna razz you even worse.”
“I’m shakin’ in my boots, pal.” His friend cowered.
The hulk of David shaking in front of him made Zack bust out laughing. So maybe he
was
being a little ridiculous. Karon could take care of herself. She knew what she was doing. And she had Clint and Lionel. She’d be fine.
Really.
Chapter 12
T he mountain glistened in the sunlight. The wind returned with a fury and severe cold dropped on them. Even with the sun shining almost around the clock every day, Karon felt the chill in her bones. The higher they climbed, the more water she drank. Food wasn’t interesting anymore, but her thirst never seemed to be quenched.
Every now and then, a glimpse of another peak gave her pause. This was more of an undertaking than she’d imagined. The broadness of Denali stretched before her. Ice and snow as far as the eye could see.
Each step took her closer to the goal. And each night as she rubbed sore muscles, she thanked God for the opportunity. The chance to do something so extreme, so different.
They’d spent another day resting after making 11,000 feet. Then a day carrying to Basin Camp. Today, they were
moving
to Basin Camp at 14,200 feet. Even though she’d already climbed this path yesterday, she found the hike exhilarating. Always something new to thank God for—even Clint’s complaining. Or his snoring. At least her brother loved her enough to do something like this with her.
Their pace had slowed. Karon caught up with Lionel and spoke through her mask. “Everything okay, Lionel?”
“Yes. I believe so. Had a dizzy spell. I’m all right now.” Their guide looked tired.
Karon wondered if he’d been resting enough. Lionel was such a go-getter, and the staff at AMS said he never took any time off. They called him the “Energizer Bunny.”
He pointed ahead. “Not too much longer and we’ll make Basin Camp. I don’t know about you chaps, but I’m looking forward to something warm for supper, and these climbs always make me miss teatime.”
“Like hot soup?” Karon felt hunger pangs for the first time in a couple of days. “That sounds heavenly.”
They trudged up the mountain, the steepest part of their climb done for the day. Karon tried to even her breathing. At this elevation, there was approximately 50 percent the amount of oxygen as sea level.
are
ridiculous.”
“Well …” He thought for a moment. “No, I have no idea what his name is. Can’t we just call him ‘rookie’?”
David’s laughter rumbled. “It’s okay. I don’t remember his name either.
Dude
,” his friend mimicked the new ranger. It cracked his nervous shell. “Normally takes me a while to get used to the new guys anyway.”
“Yeah, but most of the time, we know ‘em first. We’ve worked side by side or climbed together.” Zack took a long swig from his water bottle. “And it didn’t help that I was distracted the guy’s first few days.”
Another punch in the arm. “So the great adventurer finally admits it? He’s come down to the same level as us regular people and found out there’s more to life than the great adrenaline rush?” David swept his arm wide and pretended he had an audience. “Hear ye, hear ye—”
“Oh, shut up.” Zack couldn’t help but laugh and pitched a snowball at David.
“But you admit you were checkin’ up on your girl, huh?”
The words “your girl” had a nice ring to them. If only Karon hadn’t turned him down. Yeah, he was pathetic. All these years he’d avoided women and relationships. Amazing how one week could change it all. “Haven’t heard anything today. The wind’s been howling really bad up there the past few days, so I was a little concerned.”
“Aw. You’re worried. How sweet.”
Zack punched his friend in the arm. “Concerned. Not worried. I just wanted to know if they’d checked in.”
“Uh-huh. Pa-the-tic. Just sayin’.”
“Better watch it, David. Wait until you find someone. I’m gonna razz you even worse.”
“I’m shakin’ in my boots, pal.” His friend cowered.
The hulk of David shaking in front of him made Zack bust out laughing. So maybe he
was
being a little ridiculous. Karon could take care of herself. She knew what she was doing. And she had Clint and Lionel. She’d be fine.
Really.
Chapter 12
T he mountain glistened in the sunlight. The wind returned with a fury and severe cold dropped on them. Even with the sun shining almost around the clock every day, Karon felt the chill in her bones. The higher they climbed, the more water she drank. Food wasn’t interesting anymore, but her thirst never seemed to be quenched.
Every now and then, a glimpse of another peak gave her pause. This was more of an undertaking than she’d imagined. The broadness of Denali stretched before her. Ice and snow as far as the eye could see.
Each step took her closer to the goal. And each night as she rubbed sore muscles, she thanked God for the opportunity. The chance to do something so extreme, so different.
They’d spent another day resting after making 11,000 feet. Then a day carrying to Basin Camp. Today, they were
moving
to Basin Camp at 14,200 feet. Even though she’d already climbed this path yesterday, she found the hike exhilarating. Always something new to thank God for—even Clint’s complaining. Or his snoring. At least her brother loved her enough to do something like this with her.
Their pace had slowed. Karon caught up with Lionel and spoke through her mask. “Everything okay, Lionel?”
“Yes. I believe so. Had a dizzy spell. I’m all right now.” Their guide looked tired.
Karon wondered if he’d been resting enough. Lionel was such a go-getter, and the staff at AMS said he never took any time off. They called him the “Energizer Bunny.”
He pointed ahead. “Not too much longer and we’ll make Basin Camp. I don’t know about you chaps, but I’m looking forward to something warm for supper, and these climbs always make me miss teatime.”
“Like hot soup?” Karon felt hunger pangs for the first time in a couple of days. “That sounds heavenly.”
They trudged up the mountain, the steepest part of their climb done for the day. Karon tried to even her breathing. At this elevation, there was approximately 50 percent the amount of oxygen as sea level.
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