Love on the Snow-capped Mountains and Glaciers chapter 1

### Rivals in Love on the Mountain

In the entire Eagle Mountaineering Team, Tom was the one with the best mountaineering skills. Heights that others considered difficult, he could climb effortlessly. While others were out of breath, Tom seemed as if he had just climbed a small hill. When he was happy, he would whistle cheerfully, which would make Lily poke her head out of the tent, raise her beautiful face, and listen attentively with her cute ears perked up.

Lily was the only female in the mountaineering team. Sometimes, the team members couldn’t understand why such a pretty girl would choose mountaineering, a sport usually for men. But Lily was no slacker. She not only didn’t hold the team back but also brought youthful energy to the members.

Lily had publicly declared more than once: “Whoever can be the first to reach the summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America, I’ll marry him.” This statement was more like it was aimed at Tom alone.

However, things changed when a young man named Jake joined the team.

Jake was a local native. He was dark – skinned and thin, not very noticeable. He originally worked as a porter for the team. He could get $10 for carrying 60 – kilogram supplies to the camp at an altitude of about 2346 meters. One day, Jake joked with the team leader, “This mountain is nothing special. It’s easy to climb.” The team leader laughed and said, “Jake, it’s easy for you to say that.”

Jake got offended and stiffened his neck, saying, “Eagles prove themselves with their wings, and locals prove themselves with their legs. We never lie.” So, the next day, when the team was trying to reach an altitude of about 2423 meters, the team leader made an exception and let Jake join. To everyone’s surprise, Jake reached the destination in just one hour.

To increase the chances of reaching the summit of Denali, the team leader, after getting approval from the higher – ups, specially recruited Jake as a team member. This posed a great threat to Tom. After setting up the final camp at an altitude of about 2484 meters, Tom clearly felt Lily’s coldness towards him. No wonder, Jake was like an eagle. The high mountain was no problem for him. He didn’t need much oxygen and had no altitude sickness. His hands and feet were like a gecko’s, firmly grasping the slippery glacier. With the help of an ice axe, he walked as easily as on a plain.

After dinner, when Tom whistled, Lily no longer came out of the tent to listen. But when Jake hummed an incomprehensible tune, Lily would laugh merrily and say to Jake, “Little eagle, your song is so charming.” Just listen to that, she said “charming”. At this time, Jake asked, “Would you like to be my sister?” Lily nodded, pulled Jake into her arms, and affectionately called, “Little brother Jake!” This scene was a great blow to Tom. He opened a bottle of strong liquor, took a few big gulps, then got into his sleeping bag. After thinking for half the night, he came up with an idea. He decided to use a special tactic to defeat Jake and win back the love that he thought was his.

The next day, Tom found Jake and asked with concern, “Brother, do you want to be the first to reach the summit of Denali?”

Jake blinked his big eyes and said, “Of course. The team leader said that whoever reaches the summit first will get a big bonus, $200,000! Oh my god! That will make everyone in our village live a better life.”

Then, Tom took out a pill, waved it in front of Jake, and said, “Do you know what this is?”

Jake shook his head.

“This is a magic pill that can ensure you reach the summit. Take one every day, and you’ll have enough energy when you try to reach the summit.”

Jake smiled and said, “I know. It’s a stimulant. It’s not allowed.”

Tom was shocked. He stared straight at Jake, thinking, “This guy seems honest, but he actually knows everything.” But then he smiled and casually said, “In the sports world, it’s an open secret. As long as you’re not caught, you’re a hero.”

Jake took the pill and looked at it, saying, “This little thing is really that useful? Great.”

“So—will you?”

Jake gave a mischievous smile and said, “Brother Tom, I’ll take it! I’ll try to be the first to reach the summit!”

Tom didn’t expect his plan to go so smoothly. He knew that if Jake took the stimulant for a few days, his nervous system would be damaged, and he wouldn’t be able to hold on at the critical moment of reaching the summit…

On May 16th, the whole team started the final assault on Denali. They set off from the camp at an altitude of about 2484 meters and began to cross the most difficult section of the road.

The team leader arranged for Jake, Tom, and Mike to be in the first echelon, with Jake in the front. Lily was in the second echelon. When they set off, Tom saw Lily give Jake a V – sign. He sneered to himself, thinking, “Soon, you’ll know my strength.”

The snow – covered glaciers formed over thousands of years made it difficult to find a foothold anywhere. The mountaineers advanced inch by inch, and each inch of progress cost them a great deal of effort. Ahead, there was a huge cliff ice wall, more than 5 meters high, blocking their way. The 90 – degree vertical ice wall made them feel the power of nature. Jake, who was in the front, took a look and without saying a word, started to use his ice axe to make footholds for the teammates behind. The ice wall was very hard. It took dozens of strikes to make a small pit. Half an hour passed, then an hour. The other mountaineers gradually gathered here, and Jake was still working non – stop. Lily shouted from behind, “Jake, if you’re tired, take a rest. Tom, can’t you help him?”