As the Pages Turn: Frozen Fire

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Dear Annie: The weather is cold, so I'll try to make this brief. My companion and I are on the move to an old gold rush claim here in the Yukon. We were doing well and making good time, until recently that is. Recently, things have been getting weird.

My companion and I started out on our trek to the old claim at about nine in the morning; we were supposed to meet my companion's friends. Against the advice of an older man at Sulfur Creek, my companion decided not to take a face strap (and precede with the trek), even though the temperature was about -75 degrees Fahrenheit. I think it was a mistake, but I always stay nice and warm because of my coat.

We started following a stream to reach the camp. Worrying like he does, my companion was always concerned about stepping on a thin sheet of ice where springs gush up from the bottom. To ensure he did not step on thin ice, he always sent me first. I did not like that very much. As we progressed, I could see the cheeks of my companion turn from a beautiful red to a crisp blue. He was getting frostbitten, and that is only what I could see. When he got too cold we did stop to make a fire; it was lovely to bask in its warmth.

Once my companion warmed himself, we continued on. It was not long though before he inevitably fell through the thin ice. He was soaked from head to toe, and on the verge of freezing. I watched him start another fire, attempt to warm himself, and then disaster happened; the fire went out.

This is the part why I am writing. My partner built his fire under a tree, and when he went to pull branches for tinder snow fell and put the fire out. Ever since then he has been trying to restart it, but he has been eyeing me suspiciously. I have moved farther away from him, fearing for my own safety. Do you think that he would kill me in order he may live? Do you think he was foolish to undertake this trek? Will he die in the Yukon? Any advice you can give will be very helpful to me. I am getting really nervous that if I don't act fast something bad may happen to me!

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-- Frozen and Fearful Friend

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Dear Frozen: Your letter is perhaps the most unique one I have ever received, and I am very glad you sent it to me. Like you, I will also try to be brief.

I believe your friend was foolish for not heeding the advice of those I am assume were more experienced than him. Also, I think it is just plain common sense that when temperatures are reaching the extreme colds that they do in the Yukon, it would be best to take as much protection as possible. As the old saying goes though, "hindsight is 20/20."

When individuals are in unfavorable situations, they can do desperate things. Since your friend seems to be losing options as well as extremities, it would not surprise me if he tried a desperate move in order to improve his situation. With this said, I would watch out. Because of the position you are in I doubt he would care if you sacrificed in order that he may be saved. I know that sounds terrible on your part, and being honest that would scare me. Now that you are aware he could target you to save his own life, you are better prepared for what may come.

Since I am being candid, I will say that I believe your companion will die in the Yukon. He was not prepared, he did not heed advice, he did not take another person along, and he virtually had no way of calling for help if something happened, such as it has. While I do not like to pessimistic, unless by and act of God, I do not think your companion will not survive his ordeal.

It is a shame that the situation is turning out like it is. However, I think that it serves as a good lesson that when we let our egos and desires get in the way of logic and experience we must suffer the consequences. Keep your head up, your eyes open, and your ears listening. When the eventual scent of death does bathe the air, you must do what is right for you to survive. For you though, I do not think that will be much of an issue.