The danger of spontaneous decisions and the benefits of fasting: the revealing story of Helen Klaben (8 photos)

Bold decisions are sometimes very costly. But young are hot hearts rarely think about the possible consequences of their bold deeds.





So it was with the young American Helen Klaben, who in 1963 went through a real game of survival.



Helen

The girl was born in Brooklyn in 1941 and from a young age demonstrated perseverance and fortitude. To a large extent this contributed father's departure from the family. In addition, Helen had four older brothers, and she I grew up as a real kid.

A 20-year-old girl wanted to travel, new experiences and bright adventures. And she decided that she would find what she wanted in India, or at least Hong Kong. To implement the plan, she needed the help of a pilot. The choice fell to Ralph Flores.



It must be said that the 40-year-old man was not great professional. Ralph had no experience of winter flights. What is he honest about? warned the client, leaving her choice. But Helen didn't mind. and 4 February 1963, the pilot and passenger took off in the direction of the city Fort Saint John in Canada. A storm broke out, the pilot lost direction. Then he began to junk the plane, and Flores decided to land him. However, it is difficult to call it a landing, since it was already more looks like a fall. Helen remembered him as the whirl of trees and mountains, which ended in complete darkness.

Captivated by nature



And woke up only an hour and a half later. Landing went very severe: the girl broke her left arm and severely injured her right leg. Her the satellite was more fortunate, and he escaped with only bruises and cracks. But It was too early to relax: the plane's thermometer showed -40 degrees. people just threatened death from the cold.

But even without preparation, Flores began to act methodically and reasonable: plugged the cracks in the cabin to keep warm, wrapped the damaged girl's leg in a sweater and set traps for rabbits. Then he began repair the radio to send a distress signal.

Travelers did not count on a long flight. That's why They had very few supplies with them. Several cans of canned food and a pack crackers they stretched out for 10 days.

The rabbits categorically refused to be caught. And went into action toothpaste that the castaways dissolved in water, melted on a fire of snow. Then only snow remained. AND exhausting hunger they tried to dull by talking and reading books, of which Flores had a fair supply. They even led long theological disputes: a man urged his companion to accept Christianity.



Saving Ralph

In early March, Ralph made snowshoes from branches and went to explore. Left alone, Klaben wrote to her relatives letter. Cheerful and positive - about plans, getting to know the pilot. Only about about what happened after the crash, kept silent. After all, the letter could well become farewell, and she did not want to upset her family.

Flores did not find anything useful except for good viewed field. And they decided to move there in the hope that will be better seen from the air. Several weeks of agonizing passed expectations. And by pure chance, the SOS call that the man trampled on a small frozen pond, saw the pilot of the aircraft Chuck Hamilton.



The next day the unfortunates who spent in snowy forest 49 days, rescued. Because of the damage to the girl had to be evacuated separately. And Hamilton carried her on his back for several kilometers. On snow one and a half meters thick. Constantly falling face down snowdrift, because it was impossible to fall on your back - for the wounded it was tantamount to death.

Life after salvation



Flores was stripped of his pilot's license. True, then restored. After being rescued, as is often the case with victims, they do not erased each other from life and continued communication until death Ralph in 1997.

Helen recovered fairly quickly. a reminder of terrible days in the icy forest left a few lost fingers on leg that had to be amputated. But love of life and a certain adventurism she did not lose, was fond of sports, traveled. In 1964 a woman wrote the book "Hey, I'm Alive!", based on which she subsequently filmedwhether movie.



Klaben passed away in 2018 at the age of 76. oncology, leaving the world a legacy in the form of sons, grandchildren and an example inexhaustible optimism and fortitude.