So it was nearly half my life ago when I last tightened the ankle straps on my boots and looked for a foothold but I do remember the thrill of standing there looking out over the tree canopy knowing I had achieved height. I was a fully acreditted tourist guide, loved it. Still enjoy going out and finding a spot to listen to the birds and feel alone in the cosmos. And take photos ... lots of those.
Ianto likes hiking, in my mind he was a first class hiker and climber with a desire to enjoy the world he protected. This is based on that, if I get anything wrong I am sorry but as I said …. It's been 20 odd years and a lot of kilos ago… and believe me some of those years were pretty odd LOL
Also Alt Verse so my version of this mountain might not be like the real one. As I have never been there I am merely making this shit up as I go along as per usual.
1
"JACK?" Toshiko's voice has that hint of urgency to it that makes him perk up as he races from the office to look down over the Hub floor.
"We had something come through the rift … debris of some kind" she calls out and watches him shift from foot to foot as he assesses then nods for her to continue.
"Carnedd Llewelyn" she says and Jack blanches then looks around.
"IANTO!"
"Carnedd Llewelyn lies in the middle of the main north-east to south-west ridge of the Carneddau, between Carnedd Dafydd to the south-west and Foel Grach to the north. A short subsidiary ridge links it to Yr Elen to the north-west. Its position means that any route to this summit involves a long walk." Ianto replies as he walks into view, coffee cups in his hand as he looks up and Jack sees his interest.
"Awwwwww shit" Owen huffs from his desk, "Sounds sweaty."
"How do we ascend?" Jack asks as he leans forward ignoring Owen, Ianto the one who is the expert here.
"It can be climbed from Gerlan, above Bethesda, taking the path following Afon Llafar then continuing to the summit of Yr Elen before following the short ridge to Carnedd Llewelyn. Another path starts from Helyg on the A5, taking the track to the reservoir then following the slopes above Craig yr Ysfa to the summit. An alternative is to reach it by following the main ridge, either from Pen yr Ole Wen or from Foel-fras." Ianto suggests.
"Listen to you" Gwen snorts as she swings in her chair "sounding like a bloody tourist guide."
Ianto blinks as he turns to face her, "Gwen have you forgotten our cover up there? A Tourist office? I have to talk the talk and walk the walk."
"Plus Ianto is into mountains" Jack says as he joins them and Ianto glances over in time to see Owen sneer.
"I will have you know Doctor Harper, I am a more than average climber thank you" Ianto decides it will be a non-event and moves toward the kitchen as Jack looks at Owen, then to Ianto.
"You still have your gear?"
Ianto turns "Went rappelling last weekend, still in me car."
"Right then" Jack claps his hands, "Owen, you liaise with Tosh for the tech we might need, Ianto will be our gopher and I will drive and be all Captainy and…stuff."
Owen is soon engrossed in the earpieces Tosh is syncing as Ianto changes into climbing gear, Jack waiting to see the reaction of the others when Ianto reappears and he is not disappointed as Gwen's mouth falls open followed by Owen's.
Tosh has seen him in 'normal' clothes and doesn't not even blink as he stalks past in Lyrcia climbing trousers, a black t-shirt covered by a Lycria hoodie. He looks like he is an extra from a Tom Cruise movie and Owen finds himself struck dumb. Tea Boy is fit.
"Right, let's go"
.
.
Ianto chose the back seat, something that annoys Jack more than he thought something like that should and he is forced to talk to Owen, argue with Owen and slap at Owen when he tries to change the music, Ianto in the back quiet and pensive.
Lisa.
Jack knows he is thinking of her, this mountain range one of their favourite haunts and Ianto has probably not ventured back since.
"I am sending the coordinates now" Tosh's voice says over the music, "It looks pretty high up, Ianto you will have quite a mission there."
Sniggering in the background tells him Tosh and Gwen are making fun of him for some reason and he shuffles down in his seat more. Jack glances in the back and notices, "Tosh, you and Gwen have something to say about our competitive climber? You know he is world class right?"
"Stop it" Ianto mutters.
"No, it's true. Ianto here s a national champ. Got medals and everything in his late teens, right? A fully qualified mountain guide too" Jack smiles and Owen snorts.
"More lies on his file eh?"
"No Owen, he left them off. I researched him and found him competing in the Himalayas for something when he was 21" Jack is really annoyed now.
"Really?" Owen turns to look back at Ianto, "I thought you were pulling my leg back in the Barrens. You really did?"
"Yes" Ianto nods.
.
.
"Wow" Owen says meekly "High."
"Shit" Ianto agrees.
"Well … here we are" Jack looks up as he tries to measure the distance, "Ianto… I take it there is more than one way up?"
"The easy way and the quick way" Ianto replies as he looks at Owen, I would suggest you two go the easy way up the path and I will take the quick way up the rock face. If it's something that has broken open on impact we don't have time to think about it."
"Time difference?"
"I will get there late afternoon, you and Owen at dusk" Ianto considers "Maybe the difference of Two and a half? Three hours with him in tow?"
"DUSK!" Owen repeats with horror, "what? Hours? How many hours?"
"Owen, this is not an easy climb especially this time of year. Maybe we should consider the percentages here. Do we have anything else to go on?" Ianto looks to Owen, "Tosh?"
"I'm Owen silly" Owen says on a childish voice then sniggers at his own joke.
"Owen. Where are the coms" Ianto expands the question and Owen looks dumbly at him. "Let me guess. On your desk?"
"Ah….. oops?"
Jack face palms as Ianto pulls out his mobile and calls the Hub, Toshiko's Japanese making him cringe before assuring her he does not blame her.
"Right. We can't wait" Ianto informed them, "Tosh says there is movement of some sort in the layers, the powder….the snow, Owen. Whatever it is, we must assume it is not going to stay there if an avalanche sweeps it down into the valley. The satellite only got one grainy shot off but she is sure it looks like a ship. Seems intact."
"So you are going up the quick way" Jack steps forward, "Be careful."
"Be fast and catch me" Ianto replies with a crooked grin, "Don't lose the little one."
"OI!"
Ianto is soon harnessed up and hoisting rope onto his shoulder, "I'll take off and get up there. If it's a ship there may be survivors."
"And be careful" Jack repeats, "There may be survivors."
Ianto nods, touched as Jack shows concern.
"Don't worry about me" Ianto smiles as he pulls out his climbing jacket and Owen starts to laugh.
"What the hell … orange enough for ya?"
Ianto looks at him then mutters, "So they can find my body... it's an Avalanche Jacket Owen."
Owen's smile fades as he watches Ianto stalk off and he looks over at Jack, "He's kidding right?"
"No he's not." Jack looks openly worried now, "its avalanche time of year. He's being serious Owen. He's wearing that so I can see him, so I can find him if he falls or is swept away. If it happens I will leave you behind OK? You understand that right? He will have minutes if he has landed wrong. If he is buried I will need that bright colour to dig out and the little tracker in the collar to guide my VM."
"Wow" Owen mutters as they follow Ianto to the beginning of the track, "Can we sing combayah later too?"
It was going to be a long day.