MOUNTAIN PASS

MOUNTAIN PASS

February 19, 2026

The storm over the pass was relentless. Though I had passed this way many times since I moved to San Luis, in Southern Colorado, this trip was different. The weather report indicated heavy snow later in the evening. So, we decided to pass our dinner stop and get over La Veta Pass (elevation 9,413 ft.) before the storm hit. 

We were returning from a medical conference over the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend in Denver. With me were two friends, R.T. & O.B., doctors from the hospital in Alamosa. 

We started into the mountains at dusk. As we climbed toward the pass, the snow increased and the wind began howling, and pushing us sideways on the slippery road. Our headlights reflecting from the falling snow were mesmerizing, and our progress slowed to around 20 miles per hour. We estimated three hours to make the 50-mile trip over the pass. We were the only car on the road.

Once we negotiated the pass, the road turned downhill and became more slippery. A few miles later, we saw a car ahead that appeared to have stopped. As we closed in, an arm waved us to stop. We slowed alongside to see five elderly ladies, on the verge of hysteria. They asked if we knew of any hotels nearby.

“The nearest hotel is still sixty miles ahead, ma’am,” I said, concerned. There was clear panic in their eyes as the driver said, “We can’t continue; we have a lady with a heart condition and I am having a hard time driving. Can you help us?” 

We introduced ourselves and inquired about the lady’s heart condition. After some discussion, I offered to drive their car while a couple of them rode in our van. Everyone gratefully agreed, and we made the switch. Since we were in a van, we transferred the lady with the heart condition and had her lie down. R.T. examined her, listened to her heart, and checked her vitals. All seemed OK, and it was concluded that the stressful condition had caused her anxiety and light palpitations. 

She had taken her medication, so by making her comfortable and having two doctors in the car with her, she seemed to relax, and we continued down the mountain slowly.

The incident reminded me of a bit of history told at the conference. It seemed that February was the month that French physician René Laennec was born, in 1781. He is known to be the physician who developed the stethoscope. 

Though Laennec’s invention was not accepted for over a century, still, it is one of the most universally useful tools in our collection of devices today. It sure came in handy that night. 

Once we reached Ft Garland, in the San Luis Valley, the snow had eased and the road was clearer. We found that the reason there were no other cars on the pass was because the State Police had closed the pass. We talked to the police and they agreed to escort the ladies to a hotel in Alamosa. I had left my car at the gas station there, so I said goodnight and drove home. 

It was an unforgettable night, but it seemed that the angels were watching over us all.
 

                                                                                                                                                         Reza Ghadimi