In the Path of an Avalanche.
Early one January morning, five exceptional young climbers set out to conquer the previously unclimbed north face of Mount Cleveland in the Northern Rockies. In view of the severe New Year weather and warnings from local experts, they took with them enough supplies to last for a week. They also carried a revolver, which they planned to bury at the mountain's peak. Seven days later, no word had been received. Their tracks led up the mountain but did not lead down. The revolver was never seen again.
Despite a dangerous and desperate search-and-rescue mission, no trace of the boys was found. They had effectively disappeared. Only 188 days later did the mountain finally yield the terrible secret of the expedition's tragic flaw.
The mystery of high mountains, the source of their dreadful attraction, lies in their legendary danger. In the fifteenth century, mountain travellers were led through the Alps blindfolded because the high places were thought to contain visions that would drive them mad. Atop the Matterhorn, it was believed, was a ruined city inhabited by the souls of the dead. Dragons were thought to live in the high altitudes. The dragon's roar expressed itself all too clearly: as an avalanche.
'White Death' is the story of avalanches, told through the Mount Cleveland expedition. A reverie on the appeal of high mountains, an awful warning of their catastrophic destructive power, it is a brilliant narrative of avalanches and a homage to the snow dragon.
