Danelle Ballengee, 35, was a world-class athlete who had run in over 500 long distance competitions through deserts and mountains around the world. Up ahead, Taz disappeared, but Danelle did not worry as she climbed a rocky path to the top of a ridge (山脊) near the top, her foot hit a piece of ice. She slipped over a stone and fell over a cliff (悬崖).
She was badly injured. She could swing her toes but when she tried to stand, the pain was terrible. The lower half of her body was useless.
Danelle looked at her watch. It was noon. She guessed she was three kilometers from her truck trapped in a hidden desert in winter. Then she heard Taz. He ran down from the top to meet her. Danelle remained still, her pain became less serious and she could think her way out of this trap. She would follow Taz down the path to the valley floor and crawl back to her truck.
She rolled onto her stomach. Taz went ahead of her, then back, wondering why Danelle didn't follow him. Bearing the pain, she focused on her task.
Five hours later, Danelle reached the valley bottom, 500 meters closer to her goal, too tired. Then she noticed an ice-covered hole. She needed water to go through. She dipped her bottle into the hole, but it came out full of soil. She used the lid to slowly pick water from the surface. It took over 50 picks to get enough. She finally stopped as it was full. Danelle reached out to her and she put her arms around Taz. She fell his warmth and held on.
As the hours went on, Danelle tried to pay no attention to the pain and cold. She stared at the night sky, talked to Taz and counted the stars with him. Pain annoyed her constantly. Throughout the night, she took sips of water, realizing that if she drank too much, she would urinate and the liquid would freeze on her legs.
