The Narrow Ledge

I was free-climbing the K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. I knew it was dangerous, but I was determined to do it. To ascend such a peak without either ropes or pitons had never been done before, and I was going to do it.

I had a good start. I was already 2/3s of the way up the peak. It was mid-summer, and there was neither wind nor snow. The sun was bright, and the air was calm, and I knew I was going to make it.

I rounded a corner, wiped the sweat from my brow, and looked up the trail I had picked. There was a narrow ledge, perhaps 20 feet long and only three inches wide, and past that, an even narrower chute I would have to climb up. But after that, it was a clear walk to the top. I would be the first ever to have done it!

I waved to the helicoper which flew by, full of reporters, who would pick me up after I'd made it. They would feed me hot chocolate and take endless pictures, which would be in newspapers and magazines all over the world!

I walked determinedly to the ledge, grabbed hold of the cliff face, and began to inch my way across the ledge. I could hear distant clicks, probably the sound of cameras, but I kept my mind on my work. Sweat was on my forehead, but I kept moving, not looking down at what I knew was certain death! Suddenly, it was over, and I was climbing up the icy chute, my boots gripping the sides of the mountain which I was going to beat.

Then, something jarred my foot! I lost my balance, and slid helplessly down the chute. Desperately, I tried to grab the ledge, but to no avail.

Falling, now, I saw the tops of clouds 1,000 feet below! They would not cushion my fall! I would be dashed to pieces on the rocks! I was going to die!

I jumped, and I was in my own bed. My wife was walking towards the bathroom. "Sorry I bumped your foot, dear. I didn't see it!"

The dog looked at me, yawn, and her dogtag clinked as it touched the bed's frame. Not a camera's click after all!

I lay back on the bed. "If I go back to sleep, maybe I can get back on that mountain, I thought, as I drifted back to sleep."

Arion1

It didn't.

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