I’m surprised all the comments attacking this man for seeking this difficult adventure that has its risks. That was once the American way and not only did men risk their own lives but they risked their family’s lives as well in seeking new frontiers.
The new way is to be a couch potato, read Men’s Health, and watch the country sink into the abyss. We are going to need some tough men of all ages in the future who will overcome challenges while putting themselves at great risk.
“I’m surprised all the comments attacking this man for seeking this difficult adventure that has its risks. “
Your priorities are mixed up. He climbed a freaking mountain for his own selfish reasons, which is entirely different than a man who does something heroic for his country or for a higher moral principle.
The American way was never about being so selfish you left your wife alone while you went off to climb a mountain for selfish reasons.
BTW 'this difficult adventure' is all about hiring Sherpa guides who really know how to climb that mountain and who puff up the egos of guys with money.
Back to the history books.
Of course many men did set out in territory filled with hostile natives(wouldn't you be hostile to a bunch of invaders coming into your ancestral lands?) hoping to strike it rich. Those who planned or prepared poorly died,sometimes the whole family died. Those who died because they messed up get a footnote in history.
I think it is silly to celebrate the un-necessary taking of foolish risks for little reward.
Big difference. American pioneers, whether you're talking about the founders taking up arms, the early explorers of the American west, industrialists who put their fortunes on the line, right up to our current astronauts have all taken risks to expand the field of human knowledge, explore new territories, blaze new trails or develop new products for the benefit of themselves and their fellow countrymen.
Mr. Delaney undertook this risk in order to say, "I did it."
Mr. Delany wasn’t seeking a new frontier; he was going on a thrill ride. This wasn’t some honorable attempt to support his family or better their life by forging a trail through the wilderness. He was pursuing some personal desire irrespective of the consequences to his family. That’s shameful.
Had he been seeking exercise, there are a multitude of ways he could stay in good physical condition without traveling to Nepal.
Those new frontiers were where the families would live and, they hoped, better their lives. This was simply a risk to say he'd done it. He left his wife and child behind for a personal whim. I wouldn't call that the 'American Way'.
There’s a difference between risking life on the prairie for a chance at owning your own land and PURSUING A HOBBY.
Ref post #43.
You said it all!!!!
He was no pansy, and his wife was no coward.
No doubt she was as gung-ho about his climb as he was.
I can’t imagine either one of them marrying some wimp.
I agree, even if his idea of worthwhile risks don’t entirely coincide with mine.
Also, his daughter was born premature, and his death occurred some time after his coming down with what killed him. It was his third child, and between him and his wife anyway. Lighten up on motes in others’ eyes as someone once said, moralizers.