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

Ponce
de Leon's radio network. They heard a snippet of conversation about a plane
being found, but the transmission was poor and they couldn't be sure about the
identity of the aircraft in question. Canessa left by
bus to return to Montevideo. Nicolich and Harley
waited for the repairs to the C-47 ,. On that same day Paez Vilaro and Rodriguez had
also made their way to the airport to return to Montevideo. Paez Vilaro lagged behind. He risked missing his flight by
doing so but was waiting for a man to deliver to him a poddle puppy he had promised to bring home for Christmas. Boarding the plane was then
risky because animals were prohibited on board. He was detained by the
international police and thought for sure that it was because of the puppy.
Instead he was given a telephone. Colonel Morel was on the line with great
news--they had found the plane, or rather the boys who had hiked out. Paez ran to the plane to tell his friend, Rodriguez, who
had already boarded. They rushed to meet the Colonel in San Fernando. Harley
and Nicolich received the news as well and reversed
direction. Dr. Canessa had not yet returned to
Montevideo because he had stopped at a friend's house. He, too, headed back to
San Fernando. Dr. Canessa had the fortune of knowing
that his son was named as one of the survivors.

 
    Section Twelve
Summary and Analysis

 
    Canessa and Parrado awoke after a rest of many hours. Their malnourished bodies had digested their
previous meal and required more. Armando and Enrique were happy to supply them
with more food and pleasant conversation. Canessa and Parrado learned that they were a two day ride (on horseback)
from the nearest town called San Fernando. They were nervous and wanted the
news to travel faster for the sake of their friends still stranded in the
Fairchild. They didn't have to wait long. Ten carabineers arrived and asked for
directions to the plane. They were prepared only to retrieve survivors by foot.
Hearing that this was not possible, the captain ordered two men to return to
the post and request a helicopter from Santiago. The men shared dinner with the
carabineers and went to bed excited at the prospect of a helicopter's arrival
in the morning.

 
    The next morning brought a fog
bank. Parrado and Canessa ate breakfast while waiting for the fog to lift. They were startled when their
next visit came not in the form of a helicopter but instead brought a throng of
journalists. They politely answered the reporters' questions and omitted a few
details. When the fog started to lift, three Chilean Air Force helicopters
could be seen approaching. The helicopters carried the action group's
commander, Colonel Morel, mechanics, a nurse, a medical orderly, a doctor, and
members of the Andean Rescue Corps. Parrado offered
to accompany the team and direct the pilots to the Fairchild. By then, it was
midday and flying in the Andes at that time was dangerous because of wind
patterns. The helicopters climbed an impressive 13,500 feet before reaching the
summit and moving down the opposite side. At last, the Fairchild had been
found.

 
    Section Thirteen
Summary and Analysis

 
    Wednesday, December 20th was a
turning point for the survivors in the Fairchild. It was the ninth day since
the expedition had set out and the expeditionaries had brought just ten days worth of food. Therefore, their rescue was imminent
or would not occur at all. They went about their daily chores with an overall
sense of pessimism. Christmas was quickly approaching and they had all hoped to
be home for the holiday. Carlitos and Daniel
Fernandez both had strong feelings that Canessa and Parrado had been successful, but there was no evidence
aside from their gut feelings.

 
    The next morning, on day
seventy-one, they used the transistor radio to listen to the news. There they
discovered a beautiful sound- it was reported that two of the Fairchild's
passengers had walked out of the Andes. Their friends had survived to tell
their