An uncertain summit

We continue with the publication of the micro-stories of the first edition of the competition: High Altitude StoriesWe let you enjoy with "An uncertain summit", by Txema Castiella Viu.

After the great reception of the first edition of the mountain micro-story contest "Relatos de Altura", in which all expectations were exceeded, we are pleased to announce the second edition of the competition.

An uncertain summit

-by Txema Castiella Viu-

Five days of expedition had brought us close to a mythical place, although all myths seem to be built to disappoint. We crossed jungles, high plateaus and lunar landscapes, but we saw no lions or giraffes, not even the leopard's skeleton. Just mosquitoes and a small rodent sipping from a canteen. Beyond five thousand metres we ran out of air. The experts said there was a lack of oxygen. Walls of perfectly carved ice seemed to surround us. The world was a transparent crystal ball, about to drop artificial snow. We reached the summit, drunk, our steps faltering and our minds confused. A sea of clouds prevented us from finding a horizon. Someone asked, where is the crater? We thought we saw some plumes of smoke, while a faint smell of sulphur permeated the little air we could inhale. The volcano was under our feet.

And he was breathing perfectly, more and more intensely.