Today Pegman took us to Cape Crozier for a wee camping trip. This is my 150-word story about this rocky place.
My Dearest Angela,
The wind blew brusquely last night. Twice I found myself braving the cold to place rocks around the tent base while Charles slept soundly. Although his face is blackened by frostbite and most of his fingers are gone, he remains a pleasant companion.
I’m afraid we shall be trapped on this outcrop until spring. Snow has fallen for ten full days and buried our supplies. How I wish I had planned better. We were forced to abandon our scientific equipment two months ago for it became too heavy for the ponies to pull. Our clothes soak up moisture and do not dry out. We have eaten our leather boots. Ice crystals tear at the wool of ours socks. They are shredded.
The ponies ran away four days ago.
We have eaten all the dogs.
My one wish is to see you. Faithfully yours, Frances
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Up From the Ashes 
Oh that is vivid and wrenching!
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Thanks, K. I think I’ve read far too much about explorers. Or maybe not quite enough. I appreciate your reading my story. I will get over to yours soon. Lish
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Really fantastic, Lish. The tragedy that goes along with World exploration is a wonderful source for stories. This one is really well done. Nice work.
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Thank you very much. 😉
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Yikes, this is beyond bleak. Beautifully written, bringing the despair and the last sliver of hope. Cheers, Varad
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So many explorers lived or died this way and I don’t think they would have changed a thing. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Varad.
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Absolutely. I’m a sucker for survival in the wild stories. I’ve read books like ‘Into thin air’ and ‘dead mountain’ cover to cover umpteen times. And your story is perfectly along those lines.
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I like the almost upbeat tone of the letter (which, presumably, the author is expecting to be found after their death). Quite “stiff upper lip”.
Apparently the ponies were cleverer than the dogs, having run off before becoming dinner 🙂
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Thanks, Ali, a “stiff upper lip and all that” was exactly what I was going for. Ha! The ponies do seem to be the wisest creatures of them all in this story.
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Oh, I don’t know how anyone wants to mountain climb and risk such extreme weather! YIKES! I felt like I was there. How miserably cold, pain, and hungry.
By the way, it looks like you enjoy challenges. I have one that I just started on Mondays, called Manic Monday. I released the song title today, if you feel like participating…great! We’d love to see your post! https://flipflopseveryday.wordpress.com/2017/07/16/manic-monday-2-challenge-imagine/
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I know, right? But if it weren’t for men and women who do like to that we’d still be living in caves. 🙂 Thanks for the head’s up about Manic Monday. I’ll check it out.
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The ice is unforgiving. Well told.
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Thanks, James
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Lish, this is the best of have written and you have written some really good ones. I just loved this. The ponies ran away four days ago.
We have eaten all the dogs. I somehow anticipated these lines even before they appeared. Very well done.
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Thanks, Neel. I find explorer-types so interesting. Your kind words are much appreciated. Lish
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Dear Lish,
I love the letter form. So much story up close and personal. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle, letter-form really fits the bill sometimes, doesn’t it? Cheers! Lish
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