Alive in Alaska Read Online Free PDF

direction with branches in her hands.
    "Betsy looked at the package, and it lists a crutch as contents," Said Bill.
    “That is good news,” Said Danielle.
    “I’ll help get the fire going then we can rest.” Said Bill.   He arranged the brush he had and Danielle added what she had found.
    They built a fire in front of the outcrop to provide some protection and took the cushions from the airplane seats to use as pillows.   They laid down next to each other and pulled the emergency ponchos over them.   With the fire crackling, fatigue finally set in and they fell asleep.

    ~~~
    The sun was pretty high in the sky when it hit them in the eyes, waking them.   The only thing she had for the Bigelows to eat were the MRE's in her backpack, she gave one to each of them and took one for herself.   She took one of the branches they had gathered and made sure the fire was scattered and out.   Betsy had made her way over to the box and had cut it open with a sharp piece of aluminum aircraft skin she had worked off.   Soon she was unfolding a pair of quite serviceable crutches.   She pulled herself to her feet and put the crutches under her arms and swung stepped back over to outcrop.
    "I'm ready to go!" She said.
    "Be careful Betsy."
    "Bill is right; we will need to pick our way along not to get any more injuries."
    "Quit ganging up on me you two."
    Danielle smiled, this is a strong woman, she thought with no little admiration.
    "I believe we can make a couple of miles today if we are careful and pick as easy a way as we can."
    "Why again are we not staying right here to be rescued,” Asked Bill.
    "We need to get to the better shelter of trees and edible vegetation and flowing streams.   We are unprotected here.   Also, the rescue team will be able to find us wherever with the satellite phone, so we might as well move toward the pump station."
    "I'm game,” Said Betsy.
    "OK, OK who's ganging up on who now."
    "Let's roll."
    Bill gave Betsy a surprised look.
    The first part of the hike was rocky, and the trio had to be very careful how they picked their steps.   One good thing there was not much wind, only a slight breeze.   Nothing to make them feel cold.   Betsy, of course, needed to slow down when the surface was not level.   Bill stayed just in front of her so that if she did fall he could catch her.   Danielle was further ahead picking the best route.   It took a good hour to get down the first quarter mile or so.   The terrain was beginning to support brush and a few small trees, and Danielle could see for some distance to the west.   It was the direction they needed to go, so she decided to lead them through the opening in the trees at the same elevation. They would continue until the path turned away from the direction they wanted to go.
    “Phew, I’m glad we’re not going down so quickly now.   That was wearing me out,” Said Betsy.
    "We probably should rest a while; I need to remember…"
    “That you’re much younger than we are,” Said Bill.
    "No, No, I was just saying that I need to remember Betsy is using crutches," Danielle said flashing them a big smile.
    They found a fallen tree trunk and sat down.   They were looking out through the trees in front of them at the valley below.   The scene was beautiful as so much of Alaska is and it for a moment took over dwelling on the tragic circumstances they had just come through.   The breeze sounded gently in the trees.   The rustle of leaves on the ground.   The snap of a branch.   Another.  
    "Shh... somethings behind us," Said Danielle in a hushed voice.
    At that moment, Danielle knew the crying sound coming from the south of them was that of a bear, a bear cub to be exact.
    Suddenly from below them, they saw her charging up the mountain and rising on her hind legs.   Now the unmistakable roar of a momma grizzly.
    “Oh my God!”   Betsy grabbed her crutches.
    "Stop," Said Danielle.   "We just need to move from being between her and her