(Subdue) Out of the Silence: After the Crash by Eduardo Strauch

[Ellen]

On October 13, 1972, a small plane carrying members of the rugby team and fans from Uruguay crashed into the mountainside of the Andes. Of the 35 people on board 10 were killed immediately and many were grievously injured. The survivors would spend 72 days huddled in what was left of the fuselage even as others began to expire from exposure or injury. Nine would die when an avalanche nearly buried the entire group completely. Although search planes were sent above the area, the white plane was undetectable upon the white snow. Several attempts were made to climb to the top of the mountain peak to ascertain if there was a feasible way to descend into populated areas. Nothing presented itself as an escape route. Finally, 2 of the men spent 10 days walking through the bitter cold and deep snow wearing less than ideal clothing for the trek. They were fortunate in encountering a cattle rancher who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Sixteen men were rescued by helicopter from the crash site.

The author, Eduardo, was one of the 16. He rarely spoke of his ordeal until he was contacted in 2005 by a mountaineer who came upon Eduardo's coat and wallet during a climb. Eduardo saw this as a sign that he needed to share his story. He began speaking in lecture halls and eventually wrote his book. He believes he gained so much from the tragic experience: a deep spiritual belief, a strong sense of friendship and teamwork, and, surprisingly, a loss of fear. It is an inspirational story from a brave man.