A vicious gust of wind assails the climbers and one young man almost loses his grip on his rifle. ‘Drop that,’ growls the sergeant over the howl of the wind, ‘and you’ll be going back down there to get it. We’ve no use for a man without a weapon.’
The corporal behind the young private climbs up beside him, snaking his arm around the piton-secured rope. The corporal takes the rifle off the private’s shoulder and reties the strap under his pack. ‘Much harder to lose this way.’
The pale-faced private hugs the rock face. ‘But I can’t get to it if I need it.’
‘Trust me,’ assures the corporal, ‘If you’re rushing for your rifle while we’re climbing, then you’ll only end up falling. Come on now, press up. The summit is a long way off yet.’
Paddy Dobson
29th July 2024