Chapter 10, Three to Make Ready - Summary

Back on the mountain, in the midst of the avalanche, Rudi attempts to "swim" on top of the churning snow. He soon finds himself careening end over end before the roar ends abruptly. He is trapped with a small pocket of air in front of his face. From the brightness of the snow around him, Rudi knows he is not very deep in the snow. He calms himself before starting to wriggle and turn. It is very slow going, and several times snow covers his face. As he carefully works his way upward, it is difficult not to sink deeper in the shifting snow. Then, he finally breaks out into bright sunlight and looks around, bewildered.

Rudi sees that both ends of the rope end under the snow and starts pulling one end...