Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

Nigel's face was swollen so badly with frost bite that his eyes began to close. With bad vision and cooling body temperature, the other two decided they must get down the mountain fast.

When it became clear that Nigel was too weak to go at speed, Steve decided he must go on alone to get help. He was already beginning to feel the effects of cold himself. Antony stayed behind with Nigel. The pair cuddled together in an attempt to keep up body temperature.

Steve took the quickest and most risky route down in a bid to save the lives of his two mates. He climbed down into soft ice. It cracked and he fell 1100ft. His legs were in a terrible state, but he was amazed that he was alive. He tried to drag himself towards one of the busier mountain routes. His left leg was shattered, he tried to stem the flow of blood, where the bone has burst through the skin. He couldn't drag himself far enough. In the end he dug a shallow trench that might give him some wind cover for the night.

Up the Mountain | Team Splits | Found Alive

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