I don't know if he's going to make it to the coma.
In the mountains where life's always hard
Far away from the neon backyard
Where a man who was strong came to stay
Making peace with the earth
Finding love on the way
He survives
Cause he's a high mountain ranger
Just a man who ties his dreams to the land
And though there's times that are lonely
He won't ever go
No life worth living in the city below
Not for a high mountain ranger
With those that he loves by his side
And his world is rich, his beauty is free
Reach out as far as you see
And for a high mountain ranger
All this is home
One more splash of bubbly...
Whoops!
To the road.
Chas, you're bad.
That's why you lost it.
So that's Mount Mackenzie, huh?
Looks like a piece of cake.
Yeah, it does look like a piece of cake.
A huge wedding cake.
Don't get any ideas, Dana.
This is supposed to be a strictly dangerous and dirty weekend in that order.
I think you've had enough of that stuff, Mr. Collins.
Don't lecture me, Muncie.
Look, you're going to need all of your faculties to ski down this mountain.
You sound like my mother.
Look, I just hope you and your lady are as good on skis as you say you are.
Dana was an Olympic skier.
I finished eighth in the trials.
Well, Coach would have known how talented you really were.
He would have taken you to Sarajevo.
Hey, don't forget to notify me at the heliport when you get down to Tahoe.
Don't worry, we'll be there before you will.
Where'd you get Mom?
Clock radio, so she shows up to work on time in a good mood.
That's nice.
Where'd you get her?
You'll see.
Hey, guys, it's my anniversary, too.
What'd you get for me?
Not the way I figure.
Mom's still married.
In her head.
You're in a holding pattern since she took this guy up to the boonies.
Thanks, guys.
Don't mention it.
Home we had to go, Mom, since she's going to cook something special for you late.
Hi, Cody.
Hi.
Happy anniversary, Mr. Rocks.
Oh, thank you, Robin.
Hey, we'll go down to the port while you're gone, man, all right?
Yes, there might be a storm coming in tonight.
You should stay in Lake Tahoe.
Thanks.
I'll see you there.
This is fantastic!
Last one down this slope.
Mom, I have some wine tonight.
What do we do?
I'll go with you.
Thank you.
Jackie and I would like to thank you for all the blessings we've received over the past 25 years
for two fine sons who are hardworking and generous, for our health, and especially for love,
wherever we are for the rest of our lives.
Amen.
Come on, Dad.
How many times are you going to experience your 25th wedding anniversary?
If you were six instead of 16, would that entitle you to drink champagne?
Come on, I want to make a toast.
Good luck.
Okay, this is to the next 25, safe and together.
Cheers.
Mom, how about the food?
Okay.
My dad called today.
He sent his congratulations.
To me too?
Yeah, for some reason, Jeff, my dad still admires you.
Could you pass the bread over?
He had some very good news for you, Matt.
Oh yeah, what's that?
His construction company is looking for a foreman with your background in law.
No kidding.
It's a great job, good pay, good future.
They're going to hold the job for you.
But you've got to be ready to start in three weeks.
In Tampa, Arizona?
I thought you said you wanted us to stay together.
And safe.
The desert's a great place, clean, healthy air.
I plan on going back there some day.
And Cody, I thought maybe you'd like to experience a little more than bears and snowdrifts.
Mom, I'll think about it.
Don't think about it for too long.
This job could change your life for the better.
Let's see, it's getting cold.
I'll get it.
Can I have the tour guide?
Sorry to disturb you, Matt, but we might have a problem.
Oh?
Remember Ed Munson?
Yeah, hi Matt, how are you?
Hi Ed.
A couple of skiers paid Ed to drop him off at the top of Mount McKenzie.
They were planning on skiing down today.
Yeah, that was earlier this morning.
They should have been down hours ago.
Did you check their hotel room?
Everywhere, and no one's seen them.
I'm sure they're still up there.
All right.
I'll meet you in the car.
Well, what's happened?
I'm sorry while I'm dead.
I gotta go coordinate a search party.
That's okay.
We understand.
God knows I've been through enough times with your dad.
Save some turkey for me, huh?
Okay.
All right, happy anniversary, Mom.
Thanks, Ed.
All right, bye.
Happy anniversary to you.
Happy anniversary.
Izzy, we have a large area to search and only a few of us.
So to get maximum speed and coverage, I want us to start at the base of the mountain and move up to Mount McKenzie.
There could be a lot of them freezing to death right now.
That's why we're moving out tonight.
It's pitch black.
We'd never see them.
There's a storm moving in.
They want us to be in position to leave first thing in the morning.
Time is going to be very important.
That's why I think we should be at the base tonight.
They're both expert skiers, so they probably know something about cold weather survival.
How far apart do you want us when we start up?
400 yards.
And if there's good visibility and we're very lucky, you'll see a ranger on either side of you.
And if it snows, we'll be lucky if you can see your hand in front of your face.
Can we call in volunteer units to help us?
There won't be enough time.
Hey, it's us or nobody.
If we rescind the mountain, I want us to move in closer and closer so we meet at the top.
And if we see nothing, we start back down in reverse procedure?
Right.
Frank and I are going to take the helicopter and go to the base tonight.
That could be tricky.
We're fighting for time and people's lives.
This is going to be no walk in the park.
Come on, let's move.
That was delicious, Mom.
Hey.
It's ten plus.
It's like the old days.
It was really good, wasn't it?
I'm going to take this over to Matt at the ranger's station.
I think he's going to be a little hungry.
Okay.
You awake?
Yeah.
This is a very comfortable couch if you can learn to sleep in one position all night.
Yeah, well, you were never very good at that.
Nope.
Thanks for spending the night here.
Sure.
Well, you want some coffee?
Black, no sugar.
Such a man of habit.
You think Matt's okay up there?
Yeah, I think he's okay.
He's doing his job.
I don't know why I worry about him.
He's been doing this for two years.
That's right.
I guess it's that motherly instinct.
You know, I never worried about you, Jesse.
Like hell you didn't.
It took me a few years to quit my job.
Yeah, well, it's a miracle you made it through that job.
And now that you're retired, where does that leave me?
Out in the cold.
You don't like it on the outside?
I hate it.
You want to come on inside?
Yeah, I do.
You might wake Cody up.
One thing I learned living in the mountains...
Yeah?
...is how to move quietly.
I love that.
This is Flying Tiger calling Flash, Frostbite, Blackmagic, and Pocatello.
Come in.
Flash here.
Frostbite.
I read you.
Yeah, this is Blackmagic.
Roger.
Ditto.
Pocatello Kid.
All right, you guys.
I want you to move out.
Full throttle.
Keep your spacing.
It'll be like looking for two seeds in a cotton chute.
We still have a chance if this wind dies down.
You still think they're alive?
Yeah.
Why?
The wind showback could freeze the polar bears behind and all.
I know people like Collins and his girlfriend.
They're lucky.
They thrive on tempting fate and survive.
That's not right, jeopardizing our people's lives like that.
It's our job to do, not to ask why.
If this wind dies down, I want you to take this thing up.
You got it.
If we have to come down the hard way, this sucker will make a great two-man bobsledder.
Frostbite calling Flying Tiger, I've reached coordinate eight, but there's no sign of the
ski yet.
We'll keep moving over and out.
Flash, here, I'm at coordinate seven, nothing much to report, just miles and miles of snow.
Stay with it.
Roger and out.
Flying Tiger, this is Izzy.
I thought I just spotted something, but I guess my eyes are playing tricks on me.
What's your position?
Coordinate six.
Move to coordinate three, keep your sunglasses on, I don't want anyone going snow blind on
us.
This is Black Magic calling Flying Tiger.
I read you.
I'm at coordinate five.
There's nothing.
The wind has died down, but it was really gusty up here.
Yeah, it's really windy here, too.
Matt, we're spaced too far apart.
You got any better ideas?
I'm open to suggestions.
No, I just have this awful feeling that those two skiers are going to fall between the cracks.
Frank and I are going to crisscross over the surge pattern.
We'll cover any seams.
Hey, come on, Matt.
You guys can't take off in that wind.
Hey, the wind's going to die down hard.
We find them first.
You're buying dinner.
Everybody proceed to your next coordinate.
Roger.
You think this wind's going to die down?
I don't know.
I don't have that much of a connection with the big guy.
Maybe he'll spring us for a few minutes.
I'm just getting to desperation time.
If this wind breaks for a minute, I don't want to get in the air.
What do you say, Frank?
Well, my training says it's a definite no.
My heart says, what the hell are we doing sitting on our buns?
I knew there was something going on.
Let's get this bird in the air.
Let's go!
Matt Hawks, I'm on Rangers. Are you all right?
We've been stuck up here all night!
We were kinda out of our ass too easily.
We dug our way out, but we lost our skis.
We're okay, though. Just a little cold.
We could have froze.
we're glad you found us, all right come on let's get in the chopper
the winds are kicking in, get us home as fast as you can
I'm reading these winds at over 70 knots
is this crank gonna make it?
I'd better call the weather tower, let them know our position
this is White Eagle calling Tahoe Radio, Tahoe Radio please come in, over
I repeat, this is White Eagle calling Tahoe Radio, Tahoe Radio please come in, over
radio out?
I don't know if it could be electrical interference, pocket wind, I don't know
this is White Eagle calling Tahoe Radio, Tahoe Radio please come in, over
oh no, we've over talked
brace yourself
this is Flying Tiger, we're going in Rangers, this is Flying Tiger, we're going in
I can't hold her man, we're going down
High Mountain Rangers will continue
you okay?
yeah
I'm gonna check our skiers
you okay?
yeah, I'm okay
how's Colin?
looks like he could have a slight concussion
they're not too banged up though, I think they'll be okay
Matt, the radio's totaled
it's alright, it wasn't working anywhere
no sweat, they'll pick us up on the emergency beacon
bad news buddy
that's history too, there's no signal going out
look at your dad over there, he's getting antsy already
hard steering, it's an Ranger vehicle
hi Tim, come on in
I'd like to talk to Mrs. Hawks
upstairs
what's up Tim?
Matt's missing, the chopper went down with him, Avila and the other two skiers
oh no
where?
we're not sure, the radio must have gone out
it disappeared off the radar screen a few minutes after lifting off
it must be on Mount McKenzie
there's a lot of territory out there
what was the visibility?
well it's been in and out, right now it's a zero
the search plane made a pass by but it was impossible
no sign of a location signal
have you organized your search team yet?
no sir
I want to go with you
me too
no Cody
why not?
because I have already lost a marriage and maybe one son to that mountain
and I don't want to lose you
Matt's still alive
how do you know that?
I don't know, but I know he's still alive, let's go
no Cody
come on, he's my brother
Jesse, would you stop him, he's only a boy
not up on that mountain he isn't
he's as good a man as any of us
besides, he might help save his brother's life
he deserves a chance
we're glad to have you with Cody's help Jesse
we're going up the mountain one way or another
look I know I don't have to say this
but we met Missy, I just want to make sure there's no misunderstandings about providing a command
my dad was the original ranger, that's Matt out there
if anyone should be in command I think it should be him
don't worry about it Tim
Cody and I are both civilians, we know who runs the operation
I want you to know that we have confidence in all the rangers
thanks for making it easy
and believe me, any help we can get from you and Cody will be completely welcome
you got it, now let's get going
alright listen up
we've all faced many different kinds of emergency operations
both routinely and professionally
but this time there are two of us out there
and I feel that's all the more reason that we collect ourselves, calm down
and not let our emotions get in the way of standard procedures, okay?
alright, Matt designated you backup CO
it's all yours buddy
now the last position we received from Matt
they were setting down somewhere between corners 6 and 7
towel control said they appeared again on radar for a few minutes
and they disappeared completely
that's because the ELT apparently failed
that was about 42 minutes ago
my guess is that they're somewhere downhill that position
I agree, the weather must have socked in again
and they couldn't have gained too much altitude before they were forced down
so I'd say around here
due west of the last known position
figuring they were off radar after touchdown a full 5 minutes
then airborne again for another 3
replace them somewhere between coordinates 1 and 2
I think we should concentrate our search in this area
from the northern perimeter of 1 to the southern perimeter of 2
they'll be using 6 snowmobiles
I want all rangers to proceed alone
Jesse and Cody I want you to work together
initial spacing no more than 100 yards from either flank
constant radio contact with me coordinating from the center position
any comments or suggestions?
I agree with everything you said
except the coordinates
the wind was blowing 70 knots from the north
Avila would take off to the north to get airborne
once he got airborne he'd want speed
so he'd move downhill south as fast as he could
that would place him close to coordinate 2
I don't think so
I think maybe coordinate 1 or even further south
they were up in the air long enough to get that far
okay, we start at the northern perimeter of coordinate 1
and we space ourselves south every 100 yards
everyone agree? let's move out
how is he?
he's got frostbite
bad?
yeah
then you've got to warm his feet up immediately
can't you build a big fire or something?
with what, the chopper?
that's no good unless we can maintain it
they'll cause speed out now and they freeze
there'll be permanent damage
we're going to have to get him down off the mountain soon
there's no way he's going to be able to walk so we're going to have to carry him
I'm going to go down and see if I can get some help
here, take my scarf and my glasses
and don't lose them
I wouldn't do that, that would just make you look like a pilot
thank you
Matt
thanks
sorry I was such a pain
hey Matt, bring back a bowl of chili, hot, with lots of cheese and onions
did you think you could make it?
it's got to be 15 miles back to the valley
I'm counting on that good luck of yours, Chas
and him
music
you left that rise?
you're working too high
you mean I missed him in the snowbank?
Matt and the villa are functioning
keep that chopper visible somehow
what are we going to do now?
there's a valley just south of here
that's far from where they took off
not the way the winds have been gusting
besides there's a clearing
maybe the villa will try to put it down there
let's go
music
what's our boy scout up to now?
hey, Frank
want that freeze out there?
jet fuel won't freeze at this temperature
if there's an air search, I can torch it in a hurry
these kids know what they're doing
yeah, well, blowing up a gasoline tank isn't going to save your feet
that's not their fault
you reached the top of the mountain
our trailer must be running slow
it'll be here any second, then we can start downpouring on the sweep
ambulance
music
Robin, Izzy, come on
music
Robin, Robin, you okay?
go check Izzy, hurry up
Izzy
come on, you alright?
come on
music
you alright?
yeah
you still?
come on
music
ready?
one, two, three
music
you guys are a sight for sore eyes
so are you
how are the skiers?
they're in the hospitalization
where's Matt?
he went down the mountain for help
on foot
we didn't know you guys were going to show up
Black Magic, Jesse Hawks, do you read me?
yeah, this is Black Magic, Jesse, I read you
we found the chopper
he's going to need hospitalization immediately
we're 400 meters south of the last coordinate
you got that?
400 meters south of the last coordinate
we'll have Collins and the woman down as soon as we dig out
we'll be rolling in a few minutes
I'm going to leave the chopper
Matt went looking for help
I'm going to go looking for Matt
I'll leave Avila and Cody with the chopper
Roger, now
alright guys, let's get this show on the road
guide them in
contact our emergency
you're going to need a radio for yourself
I'll take Cody's
come on dad, you gotta let me go with you
that's what you and mom are talking about
you gotta give me a chance
Matt could be freezing to death
let's go
music
man, it's getting late
we're losing light
there's something definitely wrong with Matt
I can sense it
maybe we should split up
absolutely not
music
he must have been here
music
it's like no more than 10 minutes ago
music
he might have fallen in that water right over there
he's going to have hypothermia
music
let's go
music
we'll have him down at Tahoe emergency in a hurry
can I go with him?
of course, he said you need to take up too
music
the wind's covered in trash
music
he's here somewhere, I know it
music
my God
music
my God, dad, I don't know if he's alive
music
come on
music
oh God, dad
I don't know if he's going to make it
music
his heart's beating
he's got pulse
music
he's in a coma
his temperature's got to be down to 90 degrees
was he going to make it?
did he get brain damage?
I don't know, son, I don't know
come on, let's move on
we've got to get him warm
come on, dad
music
come on
music
hurry up, son
music
that's it
music
all right, get the blanket out of my back
music
okay
music
grab his arm
music
what are they doing to Matt, Jesse?
they're raising his body temperature
slowly
is that all?
that's all you can do
with profound hypothermia
with that
and praying
Dr. Mark Koglach
line 310
Dr. Mark Koglach
line 310
it took a few hours for him to have been revived
we had to re-warm him intravenously
he's okay
he's a little subdued and sluggish
but that's to be expected for a while
there's no damage at all
to his mind or his body
music
Come on, let's go.
How you feeling, son?
Hey, Dad.
Hey, Mom.
How are those two skiers doing?
Especially that man.
Looks like they're going to save his feet.
Lucky guy.
Is that all you can think about?
He's a ranger. First, last, and always.
Yeah.
I can see that.
Save me some of that turkey?
Yes.
I'm going to attempt to make you that turkey soup.
What a mountain mother.
Well, you know, it doesn't look like I have any choice.
You know that job that Dad was going to save for you?
I'm going to call him up and tell him that you found your life's work.
Thanks, Mom.
The trouble with you hawks, guys, is you just think you know everything, don't you?
We do.