Drowning on the Inca Trail
on May 31, 2014
Based on true events this delightful short story has plenty of action, tension and spirit. The story is driven by the underlying tension of facing a combatant, which is delivered in the form of nature and the elements. Pat, the protagonist, is caught in a snowstorm and freezing temperatures whilst traversing the Inca Trail, she's ill-prepared, and everywhere she looks fellow trekkers are swaddled and swathed in comfort. In particular, one group of German trekkers, who she encounters repeatedly along the way, highlight her peril and frozen misery. A bacon fry-up is the last straw and Pat and her partner, Scott, make a mad dash for prized trail's end - the temples of Machu Picchu. They are rewarded with breath taking views but their troubles aren't over yet.
This story packs a stack of drama and adrenaline within its short confines. Pat Cahill shows considerable skill in balancing story telling narratives with true events and the result is a compelling short story. Definitely an author I'm keen to follow.