Disclaimer: The original characters, stories, and concepts of High Mountain Rangers and Jesse Hawkes are the property of A. Shane Co with Sibling Rivalries and any other production company that has the rights to it. My only purpose is for entertainment and no profit is being made.
Author's Notes:
Like many people I determined how I was going to develop my story. I decided the time line would be modern day with the Hawkes family at the age they would be today. I never like how Jesse Hawkes began when Tim Hart and Jim Cutler were killed, but I decided to leave the story that way. I really liked those characters and hated to see them go. Eugene Williams, who played Tim Hart, sadly died in 2002. So, I decided to leave the characters death as is. They would be getting close to retirement ages now anyway.
I have no medical, search & rescue, or any of those out door skills. I have never been to the Lake Tahoe Area but would like too someday. The area where the show was filmed was just beautiful.
I am surprised how quickly this story came together for me. I generally don't write, and I am not a big reader. So, I hope you enjoy it. Started writing October 2022.
Thru the Darkness
Part 1: Can You Go Home Again?
Chapter 1
The view of the mountains near South Lake Tahoe, there is a mountain climber that is climbing down a mountain peak when suddenly the climber's rope snaps, and the climber begins to slide down the mountain. The climber is able to get ahold of an edge of the rock cliff, but his hands slipped, and he begins to fall again. The safety rope jerks the climber and the climber crashes into the side of the mountain. The climber is not moving, but just swaying in the wind. A friend of the climber is on top of the mountain and is shouting to their friend to see if they are okay. There is no response.
A chopper is flying over the mountain ranges near South Lake Tahoe, a man speaks over a radio. "Base to Snow Bird, come in Snow Bird."
"Snow Bird here, come in base," says the female chopper pilot, Jessica Avila.
"Snow Bird, we received a report that a climber is dangling off of Dead Drop Wall, possible unconscious and may need possible medevac, " said David Teo, the male voice over the radio. David is the newest member of the High Mountain Rangers, which is referred to as a "Newbie". He will spend a year staffing the radio while on probation.
"Base, we are on our way, eta 15 minutes Snow Bird out," Jessica said.
Jessica says to the man sitting next to her in the chopper, "Is it a full moon or something, that is the 5th call today."
"Must be," said Jasper Hawkes aka Wingman, who is sitting in the passenger seat. "I only know of a couple people who have ever climbed down Dead Drop Wall."
"Jasper, who is that?" Jessica asked.
"My Grandfather and my Uncle Cody," said Jasper. Jasper is the son of Matt Hawkes and Robin Kelly Hawkes. Both former rangers.
"Oh yeah, I remember my dad talking about that," Jessica said. Jessica is the daughter of the former Chopper Pilot Frank Avila aka White Eagle. She is named after Jasper's Grandfather, Jesse Hawkes. "Today, might be your lucky day."
The chopper approaches the mountain. The climber comes into view hanging from the mountain. Another person is on top of the mountain waving to the chopper.
"Snow Bird to Base, come in Base," Jessica said.
"Base here, come in Snow Bird," David responded back over the radio.
"We have two individuals; one hanging about halfway down Dead Drop Wall and appears unconscious. The second is standing on top of Dead Drop Wall and appears fine," Jessica responded.
"Lady Hawke and Lightning are in route to the bottom of the cliff and should be there in 30 minutes, Base out."
"Copy, I will be dropping Wingman off at the top of the mountain. Snow Bird out" Jessica messaged and then turned to Jasper. "Your sister is going to be so jealous."
"She will be, see you at the bottom," with that Jasper got out of the chopper went over to talk to the second climber. He signaled to the second climber to get into the chopper. Jasper got suited up in the climbing harness and Jessica helped him get the rope hooked up and get the safety and medical equipment that he will need to help the climber down. Jasper threw the rope down over the edge of the mountain and started to make his descent toward the climber. He secured the climber in support ropes and put a neck brace on him and wrapped a bandage around his head.
"Wingman to Base, come in Base," messaged Jasper.
"Base here, come in Wingman," David responded back.
"The climber is unconscious and hooked up to the safety strap. Looks like a concussion, broken arm, and whiplash. I will begin my descent down. Wingman out," radioed Jasper.
"Base, we copy you Wingman. Lady Hawk and Lightning will meet you at the bottom of the mountain, Base out," said David.
"Copy Base," said Jasper.
Jasper continued the descent to the bottom of the mountain with the climber. Two more rangers' approach on horseback. They helped Jasper with the climber and Officer Kelly Hawkes did an assessment of the man since she is a paramedic.
The chopper flew from the top of the mountain to the base, so they can pick up the injured climber and transport them to the hospital. The rangers are a well-trained team. Each member knows exactly what they need to do. They load the climber into the chopper. Jessica and Jasper went back into the chopper, and it took off for the hospital.
"Wingman to Base, Base come in," said Jasper.
"Wingman this is Base, come back," said David.
"We have a Twenty-nine-year-old man with possible, broken arm and concussion. We are enroute to Barton Hospital for medical support. Wingman out."
"Base, we copy you Wingman. Return to base when you are done. Base out, " said David.
"Base we copy, Wingman out."
The chopper flies towards South Lake Tahoe and the two remaining rangers and the second climber head back to the ranger station on horseback.