Section Eight Summary and Analysis

The thirteen survivors in the Fairchild had watched the hikers' progress up the mountain for as long as possible. Eventually their position became so far away that they faded into the snowy background and could no longer be seen. It was with great surprise, then, that Vizintin came sliding back to camp on a seat cushion sled. While Canessa and Parrado were hiking, the others were trying to stay alive. Their meat sources were running low, so they went looking for more bodies. The summer sun was melting the snow and uncovering some that had been previously unattainable. Unfortunately for Fito, the body he found belonged to his deceased cousin, Daniel, and he was reluctant to use it. It was placed on reserve along with that of Liliana Methol, who had died in the avalanche. Their bodies were only...