You are a historian working for the local historical society. You've
collected primary information on a mountain climbing expedition in 1934. (Note
that none of this is really true.)
You want to prepare a display combining
a summary of the expedition with some artifacts like parkas, boots and supplies.
Basically,
you want to tell the story of these local men and women who risked their lives
to reach the peak of Mount Ruse, the highest mountain south of the equator.
The primary documents consist of a personal diary, some official records and
an interview with the son of one of the climbers.
Your goal is to read
through this information and piece together an accurate description of the
events that occurred during the expedition. You also want to include the personal
experiences of the people involved.
The story you tell will be printed
on a display panel. So, you want to start your summary off with a brief, informative
opening sentence. The body of the summary should be no longer than 250 words.
Try to make your account as interesting as you can.
Here are your documents:
the diary, the official records and the transcript of an interview with the
son of one of the climbers.
DIARY OF DAN LOGIE -- EXPEDITION
TEAM MEMBER
May 3, 1934
Grueling day. The sun was brighter
than I ever imagined it could be. Thankful for the snow glasses. We're behind
schedule -- should've been at the second base station by now. Santos is angry
-- thinks we didn't train enough. Beck and I think differently. We figure
she didn't plan properly.
May 5, 1934
Reached second base today.
Yesterday, we ran into a blizzard but couldn't stop where we were because
of avalanche danger. Couldn't see a thing and Smith fell through a huge crack.
I swear I'm never going near another mountain when this is over. It was horrible.
Smith was stuck for two hours while we tried to get him back up. He was jammed
70 feet down with one leg up by his head, and he was screaming in pain. We
tied a pick to the end of a rope and waggled it back and forth until it caught
him by the back of his jacket. His leg is broken, but he's glad to be alive.
He'll stay here while we continue.
May 6, 1934
Weak because
of the altitude. Santos is a slave-driver, but she gives us confidence. Definitely
couldn't do this without her motivation and inspiration. I have new respect
for her drive and spirit. Two more days to the top!
May 10, 1934
Desolation.
Something attacked the camp two nights ago. All was quiet when suddenly Piasecki
screams out, and I heard equipment being thrown around. It was 30 below, and
by the time we got our parkas on and found our torches, it was over. Santos
and I both saw something large making off with one of our packs. It might
have been some kind of bear, but it was on its hind legs. Looked almost human.
Piasecki's
tent was destroyed and he was shaking like a leaf underneath. He couldn't
speak. Hasn't spoken since. In the morning, we found strange tracks in the
snow, like giant footprints or paw prints. Had to stay put for another two
days until Piasecki regained composure. Santos and I made up a new plan to
account for the stolen supplies. Food will be tight and we have no compass.
I
feel like we may not make it back down. I'm sure the others feel the same
way, but no one is talking about it. Supposed to be to the top and back to
second base by now, but we're only just getting near the peak. Altitude is
giving me a steady throbbing in the head. Sharing a tent and working with
fewer supplies is causing aggravation. I snapped at Santos twice yesterday,
and she had to hit me on the side of the head. Beck has frostbite on four
toes now. I think I've already lost my little toe.
May 11, 1934
Reached
the top! Cracked a small bottle of wine that the mayor gave us from the winery
back home. The corkscrew was in the pack that the thing stole, so we had to
break the top off. I'd be happier, but my headache is only worse. Can't wait
till we get down a ways and it lets up. Piasecki mutters while we walk, but
doesn't want to talk about what happened. Worried he might go bonkers on us.
Beck and I talk about our kids a lot.
May 13, 1934
Back at second
base. I really miss home. Smith says he'd give his broken leg to be back in
town watching a ball game with his girlfriend. I know what he means. This
mountain scares me. Not like others I've been on. Feels like we're not invited
or something. We're all feeling up, though -- it's almost over. Santos apologized
for being so harsh with us. Will have to take Smith on a stretcher-sled.
May
15, 1934
In Luno today. Wonderful town -- not exactly like home, but
it is such a pleasure to sit down to a normal meal at a normal table. Darn
warm, too.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE, SUBMITTED TO LUNO AUTHORITIES BY
GABRIELLE SANTOS, MAY 1, 1934
Team List:
- Gabrielle Santos, team leader
- Daniel Logie
- Richard Beck
- Stanley Piasecki
- Patrick Smith
- May 1: Leave Luno for base camp one.
- May 2: Leave base camp one for base camp two. Traverse Cuzco Glacier
along south ridge. Camp near top south end.
- May 3: Arrive at base camp two by noon. Prepare for second leg.
- May 4: Leave base camp two and continue along Cuzco Glacier. Camp
near Enriquez Ridge.
- May 5: Begin ascent of southern ridge via Enriquez Ridge and Gomez
Cirque. Camp at top of ridge.
- May 6: Cross ridge onto Pinto Glacier. Traverse up north side towards
peak. Camp on glacier off Pasquale's Ridge.
- May 7: Continue on Pinto Glacier. Camp at glacier head.
- May 8: Summit and back to Enriquez Ridge.
- May 9: To base camp two.
- May 10: To Luno.
FROM INTERVIEW WITH JAMES SANTOS, SON OF TEAM LEADER GABRIELLE
SANTOS
Feb. 27, 1986
I suppose there weren't many women
climbing mountains back then. My mother told me that she was the only one
she knew of. There were always local news people coming around to talk to
us about it -- I was eight when she climbed Mount Ruse. Anyway, yeah, there
were people coming around asking about it, asking what my dad did when she
was away, how did he get the cooking done, who took care of us when he was
working, that kind of thing.
She told me it was a pretty bad time,
that one. Everything went wrong. They had lost some gear, they weren't talking
to each other. Old Richie lost a foot. The thing is, she said it was the one
climb she was most proud of. She said, "The harder it is, the better it feels
when you finish." And she finished it. This was a special climb for her, too,
because it was a local team -- they were all from Skookum.
The whole
town rallied behind them when they left. I remember there was a giant model
of a mountain that Farmer MacDonald had made. He drove it down Main Street
with his tractor during the send-off.
Oh, raising the money wasn't
hard. It was going to cost a lot, so my mother and Stan's wife (Piasecki)
put on a costume ball and invited everyone. Worked like clockwork. There was
even some left to spend on the send-off. The real problem was the opposition
to the trip. Some people, not many, said it was a waste of time and money
to send people away just to climb a mountain.
There was a teacher,
Richard Cranium, who thought it was absolutely unwomanly and certainly in
bad taste for a mother to neglect her duties and whatnot at home. My sister
and I didn't know any different -- Dad took care of us just fine.
It
was a big deal, though. There was a huge party when they got back. A radio
reporter came and talked to the climbers and the governor gave my mother some
kind of medal. Here it is. It says, "Amazing Feat Award. Granted by the authority
of Gov. Bill Gush, on May 20, 1934."