ReadersDigestAustraliaNewZealand-March2018

March• 2018 | 51

R’S DIGEST

Suddenly all alone in the moun-

tains at an altitude of nearly 2300

metres, Nicolas is miserable and

forlorn. His fingers numb with cold,

he fumbles his phone out of his

pocket to call his dad. His battery

is running low and there’s virtually

no signal. He gets cut off almost as

soon as he hits the call button.

Back at the resort, Junge-Hülsing’s

smartphone vibrates. It’s Dani Petek,

who tells him, “We’ve lost Nici.” Just

after 4.30pm Junge-Hülsing raises

the alarm.

SAFE, FOR NOW

Nicolas gazes across the featureless

expanse of white. He sees nothing

but snow, rocks and boulders – until

suddenly, the outline of something

dark and square catches his eye.

He makes his way to it and discov-

ers a tiny shelter, more wooden shack

than hunter’s cabin, a shepherd’s hut

withastable-styledoor.It’slocked,

butafterNicibashesitwithhis

snowboard, the lock gives way.

There’sabunkbedagainstthe

wall.Ontopofthemattressliea

blanket, a shirt and a fleece jacket.

There’salsoacandle,asaucepan,a

camping stove, three dirty plastic

bottles, a large packet of spaghetti,

a jar of tomato sauce, some stock

cubes,acigarettelighterandacan

of blue spray paint.

Nicolasbreathesasighofrelief.I’m

safe,fornow;Icanspendthenight

here. In the morning, I’ll climb up to

Below: Map showing the location of

the shepherd’s hut along the Guspis

freeride. Above: Nicolas Junge-

Hülsing with his snowboard

PHOTOGRAPHED (PORTRAIT) BY SIMON KOY

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Shepherd’s

hut