She was an inexperienced climber, but she was sure he would save her. Something had gone wrong high up in the peaks that surround the valley. And Gabe Walker has always felt guilty for her death. Unable to bear the tragedy, Gabe quit his job with the Rocky Mountain Rescue Team, fleeing the mountains he loved so much, leaving behind not only his friends, the woman he loves, but also his self-esteem. Almost a year has passed since that accident, and Gabe has returned to the Rockies to convince his girlfriend, Jessie Dighan, to leave those mountains with him. Jessie refuses to follow him; he's running away from his problems, and she wants no part of it. And besides, the Rockies are where he belongs, where he has a home and a job as a helicopter pilot with the Rescue Team. Disheartened, Gabe is about to leave when Jessie asks him to help a group of young rock climbers who have lost their way. A snowstorm prevents the helicopter from being used, and the rescuers will have to reach the skiers on foot. Gabe refuses, "It's not my job anymore," he protests, but a sense of shame forces him to reconsider.
