Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read l Summary & Study Guide Read Online Free PDF Page A

intermittent sounds of a plane, but it never came close enough to see. It
was now one week before Christmas, and Canessa and Parrado were one week into their hike.

 
    Section Nine
Summary and Analysis

 
    On December 12, the C-47 plane
promised by the Uruguayan Air Force finally arrived. It had experienced
additional engine problems along the way, which were apparently caused by the
combination of severe cold and high altitude. Paez Vilaro and the other parents were anxious to depart. The
following morning, some began searching with the C-47. Others, such as Paez , had strategic plans on the ground. Ponce de Leon's
radio network was utilized to make necessary arrangements for the parents and
the planes. Still others set off to attempt to locate the miner who reported
seeing the plane crash. They could not find the miner, but they did speak with
his close friends, who passed on the story he had told them. The miner's story
confirmed that the plane was near the Tinguiririca volcano. This information was relayed via radio to Nicolich and the others who were searching by plane. They talked about the discovery of
a cross in the snow on Santa Elena mountain . Its
symmetry was perfect and well planned. All the newspapers were covering the
story, and there was some postulation that it could be related to the Fairchild
survivors. To be thorough the officials and parents moved their search to the
area of the cross. While this raised the hopes of the families, it turned out
to be a misuse of resources and time. They learned later that the cross was
made by scientists from Mendoza. This excitement was akin to an emotional
roller coaster ride for the families. They oscillated between holding onto hope
and giving up. They then turned the focus of the search onto the area around
the volcano and lake. While flying over the lake, they viewed human footprints.
The idea of finding the boys alive seemed to good to
be true. It crossed their minds that the footprints might also belong to
robbers stealing from the crash site. The army commander, Colonel Morel, agreed
to send a patrol to the area where they reported the footprints. When they
searched again the footprints were not visible, and the disappointed fathers
planned their return to Montevideo.

 
    Section Ten
Summary and Analysis

 
    After Vizintin left them, Parrado and Canessa took a break to replenish their energy and then continued their ascent. Parrado ( Nando ) took the lead
position on the expedition. The extreme altitude wore on their bodies and
rendered them exhausted. During their hike, Canessa prayed continuously to God. They made it up the mountain and down the other
side. The top of the mountain was wind blown and
lacking in humidity, so there was little snow. Once on the other side the snow
drifts were deep, and when the sun came out they began to melt. The ground
beneath their feet was mushy and it required much effort to advance. In some
areas they tumbled or sled down on their bottoms. Canessa was thankful for those times of sledding. He was struggling with the physical
demands of the journey and often lagged substantially behind Parrado .

 
    While Canessa prayed to God, Parrado focused on his father. Parrado knew that his father not only loved, but truly
needed, him, and he willed himself to return as
quickly as possible. In this way, they surged forward. Eventually they could
see a small stream flowing down the mountain. It was the first clean and
flowing water they had seen in months, and it was surrounded by grasses. It was
a welcome sight, but they still had a distance to travel. They had come over
the largest mountain and entered the area that resembled the Y. After resting
for the night, Parrado woke eager to explore the
corridor of the Y. Canessa's energy had not fully
returned despite his curiosity. Parrado instructed Canessa to find something to distract himself from the
effort. Once he did this, Canessa was able to keep up
and Parrado was amused. After