Henri Guillaumet
On Thursday, June 12 1930, Guillaumet tried to cross the Andes in his Aéropostale Portez 25 biplane—but was forced back by the weather. On Friday, he left Santiago and climbed only to face violent winds that eventually took him to 21,000 feet. After suddenly losing control and plummeting 12,000 feet, he found himself flying level below the storm above. But, despite an hour's efforts to circle and climb, he was unable gain enough altitude to get through the upcoming pass. He chose to crash land his Potez 25 on the Laguna Diamanté and huddled against the aircraft for protection against the swirling snow. After two days, on Sunday the 15th, he decided to try to walk out—heading east toward Argentina. On Wednesday morning he heard the sound of a rooster. And on Thursday he finally collapsed—within fifty feet of the hut of a shepherdess and her son. After starting to run from the strange wildman, they quickly recognized the distress and sent out an alarm. Guillaumet had walked three days, staying on his feet without sleep—for sleep itself would have meant death.
On Friday, Saint-Exupéry learned that his friend was alive and immediately flew to his side. Guillaumet collapsed into his arms and uttered the famous phrase, "What I have done, no beast would have done."