Chapter 31—Day Two in the Crater

The team met at the trailhead early Wednesday morning. They repeated what they'd done on the way in—steep hike to the hidden road, bushwhack to the crater's edge, and rappel down to the base. This time was faster; they were becoming more efficient.

Even though Christina hadn't hiked for a couple of days, and this was only her second time ever, she felt more confident and very alive. Maybe she was made for hiking. Although her feet still felt like bricks inside the footgear.

Today they were outfitted in layers, as the tunnels would be cold. Jake's sister Lizzi had suggested what to wear. Long pants that zipped off into shorts, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a fleece jacket with a high collar. Each of them had also packed a wool hat and gloves. And, of course, dry socks. Lizzi said it was heaven on the feet to switch for the return trip.

Once inside the crater, Devin unrolled his map onto a flat rock. The smaller maps had been taped together in a large depiction of the base. Christina noticed he had added the lonely fir tree in the distance—the only green amid the browns and grays. The wind gusted, so Jake and Nikki placed rocks on the corners. Nikki spun around wishing the angel would appear right now and solve her dilemma.

"Here's where we are," Devin said, pointing to the spot on the map. Seeing nothing but clear air, Nikki spun back and refocused.

"Seven tunnels are not dead ends," Devin said. "I suggest we walk around to get familiar with them. But let's look at my ratings first. I put the number in purple in front of every opening, see?" He pointed to those spots on the map.

Easy for you, Christina thought. Devin had a photographic memory. So did Nikki. She would feel her way around and thought Jake might too. He was more like her—intuitive.

"Good idea," Jake said. "Maybe something will come to one of us." He glanced at Christina, who seemed to be enjoying herself. Like Nikki, she was quiet, but in a different way, so he couldn't tell for sure.

The team secured their packs and walked along the rim scouting out the tunnel openings. It took ten minutes to circumnavigate the base and reassemble in front of the map.

Jake looked at the group. "What do you think, gang? Are there any hunches?"

"I don't hunch, but think tunnel number three," Devin said. He pointed to the opposite side. "It's got the highest rating. We should start there."

The team squinted into the distance, looking for the opening. Jake glanced at Christina, who remained quiet. Then he shrugged; maybe she didn't have an insight. "Okay, let's do it." Jake hadn't gotten much of a hit either.

Devin grabbed the map. "Jake, help me roll this up so I can stow it."

"Okay. And let's gear up. Keep your hats and gloves in easy reach and wear headlamps, please."

Once the map was stowed and the team ready for the cold, they walked across to tunnel number three. Devin and Nikki were quiet—recording.

"Are you afraid of small, dark places?" Jake asked Christina. Her eyes flared open.

"I've never thought about it before. I'll have to wait and see."

The team flicked on their headlamps and walked inside, first Jake, then Nikki, Christina, and Devin. Christina hoped she wouldn't feel claustrophobic, or wake up any sleeping bats.

After hiking for several hours, the team found no signs of crystals inside tunnels number three and five, both high on Devin's probability scale. Tired and discouraged, the group emerged from number five coughing and shivering, yet relieved to be warmed by daylight, even though it was dimmed by the towering walls of the crater.

Not even a tiny quartz vein had revealed itself, only unrelenting darkness, dampness, and slippery footing. For hours their headlamps had been the only light, creating a bizarre shadowing of their every move.

"Man, am I glad to be out." Devin groaned and stretched tall. "My back hurts from stooping."

"Yeah," Nikki agreed, rubbing her back. "I hope the next ones are higher."

Christina quashed her urge to complain. At least she could stand.

The team trudged across the base, eager to get back to the hanging rope that would enable them to head home. They hoped it would still be there and hadn't been untied by clueless hikers. The wind was still strong, and little whirlpools of sand blew all around them.

"I don't know which is worse," Devin said, plucking at his eyes, "being constantly bent over inside stinking, dank tunnels, or getting dirt in my eyes."

"Let's pick it up," Jake said, trotting ahead. Like everyone else, he was ready to leave the windy base and get the stench out of his nose. "We'll talk about the weekend plan on the way back. Devin, you'll climb first and give us a hand at the top."

Once at the rope, Devin put on his gloves and reached up for the first large knot. Then he lifted his body and moved skyward, kicking up puffs of dirt. Jake watched, worrying that a lot of time inside these possibly toxic tunnels would suck the energy right out of the team. He hoped that their lungs could handle five more tunnels and that no one would get hurt. Was any crystal worth this kind of trouble and risk?