Miracle on the Mountain

In the ambulance, the rescue workers set up a call between Jacob and his mother.

Jacob sounded frazzled and exhausted. The ambulance rushed him to Vail Valley Medical Center.

When Jean, Jim and Josh arrived at the hospital, they ran to Jacob's bedside and took turns hugging him.

Still filthy, Jacob was covered with a heating pad and blankets in an attempt to raise his body temperature. An IV pumped fluids into his hypothermic body.

The frostbite on his feet was minor, the doctors said. His feet had improved to a rosy-pink color. Because he had kept hiking — and kept blood circulating — his feet wouldn't be amputated. However, doctors told him that he might have permanent nerve damage on the big and second toes on his left foot. He also had several small burns on his legs from sitting too close to the fire.

Given a good prognosis for recovery, Jacob gave in to his hunger pangs. He wanted pizza. Domino's delivered a sausage pie to the emergency room. Josh once again kept his brother company through the night. This time, he was really there.