Perisher

G'day. I'm Riley Williams. I've lived most of my life in the legendary Snowy Mountains beneath the shadow of Mount Perisher. Grown up on the legends and curses of this place. Some I believe, and others I don't. Like the one that says, “Any team that makes it all the way to the top, will come down minus a man.” That one started because three climbers went missing and were never found, again. Most locals just say the mountain has a mind of its own.

Me? I think it's more a matter of unstable ground and weather conditions. Stuff you'd have to have animal instincts to avoid. So, why do I still want to climb it? Maybe it's a hero's call. Or maybe it's because I'm the only one in the valley—maybe in all Australia—who managed to tame a wild dingo to come with me. We're out to make a name for ourselves. Might even solve the mystery of those missing climbers. That was the plan until I met Joanie Thomas.

Ever since that beautiful girl from the Outback stomped into history class with her cowboy boots and wild ideas, my whole life turned upside down. Got me totally distracted helping her sort out this massive problem she's been stuck with. Next thing I know she has me lost in forbidden rain forests, and even searching for missing persons in the creepy halls of a mental institution. Places you couldn't have paid me to set foot in.

Nobody gets into a life or death situation on purpose. Now I'm asking myself if any of the secrets I learned from the mountain could actually save us, or not. Like being a “true blue” Aussie hero could be one of the hardest—nearly impossible—challenges in the world. But what I'm really thinking is...they didn't name this place Perisher for nothing.