Co-Heroes

Alaskan wilderness, a beautiful sight, holds grave danger when you go it alone. It was freezing cold one night when Frank’s unwanted adventure began. He had left early that Sunday morn, before an unexpected blizzard moved in. In daylight he had traveled miles across pristine splendor; thick snow made vision blur. The flurry came so quickly; it took him by surprise. Wolves howl imposed death’s cries. He had traveled 150 miles past Wendell Winthrop’s summer cottage. The next closest shelter was 200 miles away where the year round trapper lived. Frank was all alone; to survive the night, he needed to bury himself in snow. The next morning he woke up alive! Hurray! It was a great start for the new day. He brushed the snow off and got on his snowmobile, all prepared for a brisk ride home. To his disbelief, the snowmobile would not start. No repair brought even one spark. What would he do? An unwanted adventure was about to begin…unprepared. He collected a few supplies and warm clothes, which he carried and started walking. In the distance he heard hungry howls followed by a fallen caribou screaming. After two days of surviving eating snow, he knew that he had to find some meat. But he was in for a God sent treat. Behind a snow mound he heard a wolverine. There it was. Food! Wild kill; a part eaten moose with no bear or wolf to be seen. The wolverine shared, without a choice; a gunshot wound in her side made her weak. It all made sense. Noisy guns scared the bears and wolves off during the blizzard. Poachers must have shot the wolverine while trying to get out of the storm safely. Having a concerned heart, Frank wrapped a shirt around the bleeding wound; Blood stopped. The injured mammal seemed happy and so did Frank. That morning they ate together. He built a makeshift stretcher; then, lifted the wolverine onto it, like two friends. Mile after mile he trudged before he and “Wolvie” were hungry again; he made camp. Three ptarmigan flew close to the fire. Pow! Pow! Pow! Frank and Wolvie ate that night. He had gone a long way before camping again. His friend seemed to be much better. It was a miracle! She lived; after five days she walked, but stayed right by Frank’s side. Almost there, a black bear cornered Frank. Wolvie lunged at its throat; the bear ran. They made it! The trapper came out, raised his gun. Frank shouted, “Don’t, shoot!” The trapper could not believe his ears. Frank and the wolverine were co-heros. 1/2/2017