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Snowblind in the Andes: A Harrowing Tale of Survival

Chadwick Powell

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Published in SnowBlind In The Andes: From Sacred Leaf To Cocaine Tourism

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In the unforgiving wilderness of the Andes Mountains, a group of young skiers found themselves stranded after a tragic plane crash in 1972. The survivors faced unimaginable challenges and made harrowing choices in order to stay alive.

SnowBlind in the Andes: From Sacred Leaf to Cocaine Tourism

by Mick Huerta

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	13257 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	89 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

The story of Snowblind in the Andes is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. It is a story of courage, determination, and the power of hope.

The Crash

On October 13, 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane carrying a rugby team, their friends, and family members crashed in the Andes Mountains. The plane was en route from Montevideo, Uruguay to Santiago, Chile when it encountered severe weather conditions and went down.

Of the 45 people on board, only 16 survived the initial impact. The survivors found themselves stranded in a remote and inhospitable environment. They were injured, cold, and hungry. And they had no way of contacting the outside world.

The Struggle for Survival

In the aftermath of the crash, the survivors faced a number of challenges. They were stranded at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, where the air was thin and the temperatures were freezing. They had no food, water, or shelter. And they were surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

The survivors quickly realized that they would have to work together if they wanted to survive. They rationed their food and water, and they built a shelter to protect themselves from the elements.

As the days turned into weeks, the survivors began to lose hope. They were weak and hungry, and they were starting to succumb to the cold. But they refused to give up.

The Decision

After 10 weeks, the survivors made a difficult decision. They knew that they could not survive much longer in the mountains. They decided to send a group of three men to seek help.

The three men, Nando Parrado, Roberto Canessa, and Antonio Vizintin, set out on foot. They traveled for 10 days, crossing treacherous mountain passes and enduring extreme weather conditions.

Finally, on December 20, 1972, Parrado and Canessa reached civilization. They had hiked over 70 miles through the Andes Mountains.

The Rescue

Parrado and Canessa's arrival in Chile sparked a massive search and rescue operation. Within days, helicopters were dispatched to the crash site. The remaining survivors were rescued and taken to a hospital.

The survivors of the Andes plane crash had endured unimaginable hardships. They had faced starvation, exposure, and even cannibalism. But they had survived.

Aftermath

The survivors of the Andes plane crash went on to live full and productive lives. They became authors, speakers, and activists. They shared their story with the world, inspiring others to never give up hope.

The story of Snowblind in the Andes is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. It is a story of courage, determination, and the power of hope.