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I’m Tired Of Hearing About The Missing Mt. Hood Climbers
MND ^ | December 17, 2006 | By Robert Paul Reyes

Posted on 12/17/2006 5:20:45 AM PST by Nasty McPhilthy

A trio of climbers, ascended Mount Hood, under adverse winter conditions — to test their survival skills. The intrepid climbers took gear such as food, fuel, bivvy sacks, a shovel and ropes. These men knew they were taking a big risk – or they would not have taken survival gear with them.

Mountain climbing is a sport for the wealthy who can afford to take weeks off from work to indulge in their expensive hobby.

These clowns have been missing for over a week, and the state is expending tens of thousands of dollars in search and resuce operations.

Why is the sheriff’s department and the U.S Forest Service rangers looking for these men who are addicted to danger?

The taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for the foolhardy thrill seekers who knew they were taking a big risk. The families of the climbers should pay for their own search teams; they shouldn’t expect the government to pay for the reckless chance the climbers took.

From USA Today:

“Deputy Gerry Tiffany, spokesman for the Hood River County sheriff’s office, said its office does not charge for its searches.”

I think it’s about time the government starts charging for rescue operations – when it’s a case of adventurers who place themselves in danger.

I’m sick of hearing about the missing climbers; I’m sick of watching the relatives of the missing men on TV praise the courage of the climbers, and I’m sick at the thought that taxpayers are paying for the rescue efforts.


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KEYWORDS: mounthood; sos
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To: DugwayDuke; bcsco
What happens to people isn't always within their control.

My response was a reaction to this statement by a poster. The climbers made a choice to put themselves in this situation. Climbing a mountain is certainly dangerous and I wouldn't consider it a necessary activity of everyday life like driving a car.
I never said "don't try and rescue them". But now everybody has to react to their situation.

101 posted on 12/17/2006 6:39:44 AM PST by Mopp4
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To: Star Traveler

Exactly. I was a starving artist rock climber when I was young, as was everyone I climbed with.


102 posted on 12/17/2006 6:40:28 AM PST by Rb ver. 2.0
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To: laconic; All
As you can see, its a great way to get a ton of publicity for people who prior to this were not celebrities, get their 15 minutes of "fame" and maybe write a book and get some speaking opportunities.

You have taken a 'jaded' thought and stretched it into a truly degraded thought. . .and one that does hold to even a reasonable consideration. . .

Perhaps it was inspired by the jaded observation - if not 'give-away' of this author's observations: Mountain climbing is a sport for the wealthy who can afford to take weeks off from work to indulge in their expensive hobby.

This taints the rest of his conclusions - with a distinctively, crass, Liberal bias.

103 posted on 12/17/2006 6:40:35 AM PST by cricket (Save a Terrorist - join the Democrats/Live Liberal Free; or suffer their consequences)
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To: Nasty McPhilthy

Well said!!!!!


104 posted on 12/17/2006 6:40:45 AM PST by Dustbunny (The BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
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To: traderrob6

You said -- "A person who does regular hiking or boating will not be rated up but a person who skydives, cliffdives, mountain climbs etc most definately will because the likihood of a catastophic accident is significantly greater for people in those groups."

In Oregon, they might reconsider. Waves wash you off rocks, logs are thrown into the air at the beaches, people fall off the hiking trails, some with inches to spare for your footsteps, a quick snowstorm comes in and people die of hypothermia, a fishing boat tumbles in the surf and people drown, you rappell down some rocks and have a "failure" of some sort, you drive up to Timberline Lodge and walk around the lodge and find out you're in a whiteout and can't find the lodge to get back, you go see one of the lighthouses, and you stumble off the trail into the surf, you walk along the rocky surf line and the tide come up and traps you, and you finally get washed out to sea, you go viewing Multnomah Falls and a large bus-sized boulder falls down right in front of you, and it goes on and on.

Are insurance rates higher in Oregon? People must be stupid for living in such a high-risk state, I would imagine.

Regards,
Star Traveler


105 posted on 12/17/2006 6:42:14 AM PST by Star Traveler
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To: Man50D
Their actions also endangers their rescuers. Any experienced climber should be aware the consequences of such risky behavior can effect other people. Failing to do so is selfish.

By that logic driving a car is selfish because you might crash and endanger a fireman who tries to rescue you.

106 posted on 12/17/2006 6:44:05 AM PST by Thermalseeker (Tennessee - The last Conservative rock sticking above a deep blue sea....)
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To: NickatNite2003

'bout time someone saw the only point that I was trying to make.


107 posted on 12/17/2006 6:44:27 AM PST by Nasty McPhilthy (Those who beat their swords into plow shears….will plow for those who don’t.)
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To: devane617

You said -- " I believe, they have to sign an agreement to pay rescue cost if something should happen."

Well, you haven't been up to Mt. Hood. You can go up to Timberline Lodge and be lost in a whiteout and need a rescue when you weren't even "climbing". In addition, I've never heard of any of the thousands of people going up there having to do that. They don't have to sign a form saying that they will pay for a rescue.

If they started doing that, you would have to designate the entire state a "rescue zone" -- because people are rescued all over the state, all the time. There's a lot of rugged country out there.

Regards,
Star Traveler


108 posted on 12/17/2006 6:45:21 AM PST by Star Traveler
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To: mountaineer1997

I agree. I don't have a problem with people desiring and engaging in dangerous activities. I understand it in this prefabricated, push button world. However, if they want to engage in extremely dangerous activities they should get the full measure of the danger which would include either no rescue or required payment for rescue operations. Personally, I would prefer no rescue as the rescue attempt places innocent lives at risk.


109 posted on 12/17/2006 6:46:04 AM PST by MBB1984
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To: MinorityRepublican

I just finished Krakauer's "Into Thin Air." The rescues on Everest are done by other expeditions that happen to be on the mountain. It is too remote for any state intervention.

Climbing is a high risk adventure, but I didn't see anything that indicates that these guys were foolish. They were caught up in a storm that wasn't supposed to be there for a couple of more days.


110 posted on 12/17/2006 6:46:52 AM PST by MIDad23
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To: MBB1984

If these guys survive they will be touted as hero's. In fact, their family members are already treating them as such.


111 posted on 12/17/2006 6:47:19 AM PST by bonfire
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To: Man50D

You said -- "Then they should have trained at Everest."

Why train at Everest when we've got a perfectly good mountain in Oregon?

Regards,
Star Traveler


112 posted on 12/17/2006 6:47:28 AM PST by Star Traveler
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To: cajungirl
This is a sport requiring uncommon dedication and courage.

Courage? Nope.

Handgun hunting dangerous game requires courage. Climbing a rock does not.

113 posted on 12/17/2006 6:48:20 AM PST by Centurion2000 (If the Romans had nukes, Carthage would still be glowing.)
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To: duckman

You said -- "Second they need to be financially charged for the resources used for their rescue."

While some may agree, I think you'll find a lot of people in Oregon who would disagree with that. The entire state is a "rescue zone" in that case...

Regards,
Star Traveler


114 posted on 12/17/2006 6:49:14 AM PST by Star Traveler
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To: Thermalseeker

"Others would rather sit on the couch, eat cheesey poofs and watch the world pass them by....."

What kind of couch?


115 posted on 12/17/2006 6:52:00 AM PST by dakine
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To: laconic; All
p.s.. .. and beyond the taint of Liberal bias. . .there is 'some' merit to his argument.

.. .perhaps a waiver should be signed that climbers ARE at least potentially vulnerable to paying for their rescue; of course, but then 'what'. . .if someone dies attempting 'their' rescue'. . .

Well, perhaps bottom line is the reality that no one is perfect and we just do not live in a perfect world; and perhaps the 'more perfect' is the desire of good people to help others in needs without prior judging. . .

116 posted on 12/17/2006 6:52:06 AM PST by cricket (Save a Terrorist - join the Democrats/Live Liberal Free; or suffer their consequences)
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To: Star Traveler

Insurance companies expend a great deal of money and resources divining the risk tables they use to rate their customers.If you disagree with their assessments, take it up with them.


117 posted on 12/17/2006 6:53:42 AM PST by traderrob6
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To: traderrob6

You said -- "I would hope "my brother" would be wise enough not to engage in self endangering behavior."

There are thousands of people in Oregon who do that, plus the ones who come in from out of state. Mt. Hood is a popular place. They've got a group called the Mazamas, to help you out, doing that, too --

http://www.mazamas.org/

People in Oregon wouldn't consider it a foolhardy endeavor. They would simply try to be prepared. But, it is not always possible to be prepared for everything that Oregon can throw at it. It can get pretty fierce at times. And you never know when it's coming...

Regards,
Star Traveler


118 posted on 12/17/2006 6:53:53 AM PST by Star Traveler
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To: cajungirl
I guess life is about more than hunkering down, paying the bills and wearing seatbelts.

Life is also about more than just oneself. It's about considering how your actions will effect others.

At some level, we like these risk takers, we read of their exploits, admire their pitting themselves against odds, know their risks and get vicarious enjoyment out of it.

Taking risks that only effect yourself is one matter but taking risks that can put other people's safety at risk is unacceptable.

Part of our bargain is we can support rescues when it doesn't work out.

People who find themselves in dangerous situation beyond their control should be rescued. People who knowingly and willingly endanger their own lives should be warned others will not risk their own lives for such inanity.

This is the drama of life and we generally don't put a price tag on it and accept that there are those who "do", those who "watch" and we all pitch in a help when it goes wrong.

Always rescuing those who only think of their own satisfaction will only encourage more needless risk taking and put more lives at risk.

Sort of like a football game.

It's nothing like a football game. The lives of those who don't play are not put at risk by the players.
119 posted on 12/17/2006 6:53:59 AM PST by Man50D (Fair Tax , you earn it , you keep it!)
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To: Lurker

Sometimes the things said on here are jaw dropping. Good catch.


120 posted on 12/17/2006 6:54:02 AM PST by em2vn
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