SURVIVORS
Chapters 10. Expeditionary Team (revision)
They talked until a while later.
"Robert, can you try hunting or finding another food source? You can take Leon and Liam to help" Dean said.
Robert nodded and walked inside to pick up the woods he had rolled last night.
Robert distributed the logs to 2 other men to use as weapons. They walked towards the forest.
Now it's Dean, Indra and Dr. Chandra. They look forward to what tasks they have to do.
"I want to try to find a way out of the forest and see the situation. Are you willing to be on the expedition team with me?"
Dean's question was immediately answered with a nod of definitely both.
"Okay, let's walk, so we can get back as soon as possible. I'll explain the plan as I go" Dean said.
They stepped into the shelter. Dean picked up 2 dirty and charred trays that Robert had previously used to scoop up snow to bury the body. There is also a small folding shovel for gardening that Widuri has prepared according to Dean's request.
Indra took 3 pointed sticks that were there. Doctor Chandra carries the tray Dean gave him. They walked into the forest.
Dean recalled finding Widuri, which was lower than the wreckage. So it should be in that direction is likely the road to the foot of the mountain.
They continued walking through the dense pine forest. Dean occasionally broke a pine twig and stuck it in the snow in such a way as a marker of their way back later.
Indra and doctor Chandra watched in amazement. How could Dean be scrupulous and do such things? He looked proficient and there was no hesitation in acting.
"Where are you Dean from? Looks like you're used to going through the woods" asked Dr. Chandra as he continued walking followed by Indra.
"Haha..," Dean chuckled.
"I'm from Canada. I like nature. Mountain climbing, camping in the forest, in the middle of winter and so on."
Dean told me a little.
"Since childhood my father taught me all the skills we needed while we were in the wild. So, my brother Jeannete and I contracted the same hobby" Dean explained as he continued walking and watching.
"But going camping stranded is different, I also had a camper during school scout activities," Indra said from behind.
"really. This is very different, because we have no preparation of unknown tools, supplies, food and terrain. So right now we really have to fight to survive independently" Dean replied.
"So what's your plan now? Aren't they there looking for us?" ask Indra again enthusiastically.
"No. I talked to Robert about this. He agreed, because bringing at once everyone into a forest full of wild beasts without preparation was a very dangerous thing." Dean explained.
"We are an expedition team. Must open the road and prepare a temporary shelter on the way to the foot of the mountain. We'll see where the place is suitable for building the shelter."
They continued walking until the sun was overhead. Dean looked at his watch.
"It's already 11 noon., I think we should make the first shelter around here."
Dean rolled his gaze around the place. He walked towards the 3 tree trunks that stood not too far away from each other forming a triangle.
Dean started directing to dredge the snow in the middle of the three trees standing. With 2 trays and a small shovel, they moved quickly dredging the snow. Until a triangular snow hole is formed. They raised a little 2 sides while the other 1 side made a ladder from solidified snow and cut Dean with a shovel. Dean asked his two colleagues to lower the snow floor a little more for the campfire.
Dean came out looking for some fallen tree trunks. Collect pine leaves and dry twigs to make fire.
In the middle of the half-finished shelter, Dean makes a fire. They are tired so it is better to rest first. They sat on a snow bench, resting and warming their already cold fingers.
Dean pulled out a bar of chocolate, warmed it briefly near the fire then split it 3.
"This was given by Widuri this morning when I said my plan. So, here's our lunch" Dean said, sharing the chocolate cutout with Indra and Chandra's doctor.
The two of them nodded happily then quickly put it in their mouths. The chocolate can't be chewed because it's still hard enough. So just let it melt in the mouth, what's the difference.
"Do we need to find wood for Dean's shelter wall as well?" ask doctor Chandra.
"Yes, we better get this over with, we'll still have to get the roof ready, too" Dean got up and took the stairs out of the hole.
The three of them looked for more wood around. Dean tried to flex with the fire a young pine twig to use as a wood binder.
Dean plunged into the snow one end of a dead tree trunk about 1 meter away on one of the three trees. The other end was crossed on a tree trunk as tall as Dean's head and tied with a rope that had been bent on the fire. They do the same thing with other trees. Now they can put the wood for the roof buffer shelter.
"We'll just make a snow wall. Look at...."
Dean set an example. Take a tray and cut the snow-shaped beams and put them on the side of the shelter wall.
Indra is a fast learner. He immediately made another snow beam enthusiastically. Dr. Chandra alternates with Dean lifting up and composing the snow wall. When the roof frame of the shelter can be reached, they immediately install supporting wood and pine leaves.
"Waahhh this place is like a cave" Indra said in comments from the shelter.
"Add wood to keep the fire burning!" exclaim doctor Chandra.
He immediately followed Indra inside to warm himself up.
Dean continued to install snow beams to cover the walls. Indra helped lift the blocks of snow he had cut towards Dean. Soon their work was done. They looked on with satisfaction.The place was quite warm and sheltered.
After resting, turning off the fire and closing the shelter door with wooden sticks, the three of them continued their journey downwards from where they had been. The place is getting down and thick snow.
"Ohhh..!"
Doctor Chandra was surprised to be mired into a watery place. Both partners immediately helped. His shoes and feet were wet. The water here must be very cold. Such water temperatures can be dangerous.
Dean looked around. The place they stood was the lowest. There was a mountain that they had passed through behind and a small hill opposite it. It was likely that they were standing on a frozen river. Dean looked at his watch. It's past 3pm.
"It's late in the afternoon, we're looking for a place to make a shelter" Dean said, taking the two up to the higher side. Dean stopped where he felt fit. Then ask Indra to find firewood. Dr Chandra was asked to take off her shoes and socks. Indra immediately returned and lit a fire to warm Dr. Chandra's feet.
Meanwhile Dean had already set a point to create another shelter. He approached Indra and Chandra and warmed up.
"Indra, Chandra's doctor in the meantime can't help, so we both have to create a shelter for where we're staying tonight."
"Yes. Where do we wake up?" Indra answered excitedly.
"Come on." Dean stood up and walked.
"Here you go" pointed Dean at the thick piles of snow on the mountainside.
Dean showed him the way and some instructions, Indra quickly understood and immediately worked on it.
"I'm looking for firewood first doc" Dean told Chandra's doctor.
"Let me help" interrupted Chandra.
"No! Your job this time is to save your feet by warming them up. Let us do the rest" Dean said.
Dean gathered more firewood, tree trunks and pine leaves for their seating. While Indra continued digging with a tray in hand.
Then Dean went back to the river. He walked carefully so as not to break the surface of the river. Remove a fine pile of snow from the surface of the water that freezes like glass.
The broken surface of the ice brought oxygen into the cold river water. Several fish swam around the hole where Dr Chandra had fallen.
Dean reached out his hand into the water to catch the fish. It takes 2 new attempts to catch a fish. But Dean was so happy, because they had dinner.
An hour later Dean had already collected 10 fish that were quite large. He cleared it in the river, widened the ice hole in the river and immediately returned. Indra and Dr Chandra were waiting while warming themselves up. They were so excited to see the fish Dean was carrying.
"How did you get it?" ask Indra astonished.
They don't carry fishing gear, do they?
"Catch your hand" Dean grimaced.
Handed over the fish to Chandra's doctor. Dean immediately extended both of his hands towards the fire. His hands were almost numb from being too cold.
Dean breathed a sigh of relief as he could feel the warmth of the fire on both of his palms.
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One example of a shelter under a tree with a snow wall.