It begins on a glacier perched on an icy peak high in Russia's wild, cloud-kissed Ural Mountains, the top of the world. A lonely and forbidden place, it is home to THOM CUSSLER and his brother JOCK, a pair of transplanted Westerners seeking their fortunes in Russia's new capitalist economy. They run a hard-luck snowmobile tour business that takes adventurous winter vacationers up into the mountains to experience the ultimate extreme thrill of winter. During one such excursion, a huge snow ledge at the top of the ridge suddenly collapses and an avalanche crashes down. Only Thom and Jock's quick thinking and expert driving save them. The small town of Dubroz, located far below, is not so lucky. Avalanche sirens go off, but the terrified villagers barely have time to act as the avalanche crashes down. A wall of snow crashes into the edge of the village, smashing windows, collapsing and burying buildings, sending cars flying like toys! From his vantage point atop the ridge...