Are you trying enough?

Mount Hood, Oregon (29th May 2021)

My wife and I were visiting Portland, Oregon for the memorial day weekend. During this time of the year, Oregon is packed with gushing waterfalls. Many waterfalls are born as the snow starts melting during this time. One of Portland's nearby snowcap mountains is Mount Hood. It is a famous ski destination. Though the ski season was officially over, there was enough snow left at the top of the mountain. 

When we reached the base of Mount Hood, we found that the ski area was closed for summer maintenance. We planned to walk in the snow a bit and take some photographs. In the distance, we saw a beautiful newborn waterfall from melting snow. It was quite a climb to reach there and my wife was exhausted. I asked my wife to rest under a tree as I wanted to capture the waterfall closely. She agreed unwillingly, 'be careful and do not fall' she said. I almost ignored her words and started walking in the snow. After half a mile of snow stroll and climb, I was at the base of the waterfall. However, I could not still see the water hitting the ground. Curiously, I took the next step on snow...and down I went in a snow hole.

The first 5 seconds went in realizing what just happened. The snow layer beneath my boots was thin. It could not bear my weight. The hole was neck deep. The snowmelt ice cold water rushed below my shoulder. I was freezing and realized that I had very little time to react. Panic-stricken, I tried to take my hands out of the snow and climb up. The thin layer of snow broke and made the situation worse. I fell and hurt my leg, I screamed. There was not a soul nearby who would hear me scream. I was frozen and in pain. Memories of loved ones flashed by and I thought maybe this is how it ends...

When life puts you in such a situation, your common senses stop working. I remembered I had my cell phone with me. The phone was wet, luckily it was still working and had a signal. I called my wife and explained the situation. Told her that maybe we need to call 911 as the snow park officials were out. She was very calm and did not panic at all. She said - 'Do not worry, nothing happened. You can get out by yourself from there...try. If I do not hear back from you in the next 5 mins, I will call 911.'

Her words infused in me the energy I needed. I closed my eyes and told to myself that I am not dying here, I have to get out of here. I started to look around and found a huge tree trunk, around five feet away. With all my strength I broke the snow and staggered towards the tree trunk. I managed to hold the trunk and tried climbing it. Off came the branch from the trunk and I fell in the hole again. I was back to square one. However this time I knew my wife's words were right. I could get out if I tried. I aimed for a more firm branch, which at first seemed out of reach. After a couple of failed attempts, I was able to reach the branch with my right hand. My whole body was hanging on my right hand. I was exhausted and did not have the strength to pull my body up. I thought of resting for a bit but found that I am losing my grip and will fall again at any moment. The choice was binary...rest and fall OR try and thrive. I chose the second. After a few minutes of struggle and a few scratches on my hand, I was on solid ground. I called my wife and said that I was safe.

The difference with the last call was 4 mins 55 secs...

I am not going to list here all the lessons I have learned from this experience. It is open to the reader's interpretation. However, I promise to ask myself one question in every situation - 'ARE YOU TRYING ENOUGH'?

Based on real experience and lessons learned...

Ayan Putatunda