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.
We spend hundreds of thousands on every football player who ends up quadriplegic. We pay for it indirectly.
I can't specifically speak for Oregon, I am speaking for life insurance in general.
When you are applying for coverage and you state that you routinely hike or fish you will not be "rated up" If however you state that you rountinely engage in sky diving or serious mountain climbing you will be. There are some comapnies that just flat won't insure you at all.
They do so because their risk tables tell them that these behaviors are more likely to cause a premature death.
If insurance providers rate up everone living in the state just because they happen to live in a "rugged environment" as compared to say someone in Iowa, you'll have to ask them.
So if they get an undeserved "hero" status,,what is that to you? Would you rather see them dead? Then there would be more "dead heros" and make the story better.
Maybe you just shouldn't read about this,,it wouldn't be such a lump in your craw!
I'd rather talk about her losing her bra instead. More interesting conversation.
LOL. You would be a guy, right?
Clearly, you have not spent any time on I-285 in rush hour traffic in Atlanta.
I suppose you would also say that because I own and fly airplanes, one of which I built myself, and because I flew hang gliders for 30+ years without a scratch, that I am creating a far more dangerous situation? Be careful how you answer this one. Statistics and personal experience do not support your line of thinking.
Everything you do, every action you take, is a calculated risk. From the moment your feet touch the floor in the morning to the time you close your eyes at night, your day is filled with calculated risks. It doesn't matter whether it is choosing to hold a knife by the handle as opposed to the blade, driving a car, climbing a mountain or flying a plane. Calculated risks all. You may indeed feel safer in your car, but that is the folly of your argument.
I would bet the climbers and their families have paid taxes far in excess of the cost of this search.
It's not like some welfare recipients went on a hike up the mountain. Then I think you would have a bitch. - tom
Oh Yea.
I think you said it,,you called us your "fellow taxpayers",,most of us think we are your brothers and sisters, fellow humans. We don't see you as our fellow taxpayer when you are lost in a snowstorm on a mountain in danger of freezing, dying or starving.
Not everything is about "tax paying". I keep reading remarks about how "expensive" it is to climb. There is alot of simple miserliness here. When lives are at stake even from people's own actions, we don't generally add up the cost to make a decision about rescue, treatemtn, etc. We just do it.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was coordinated by a group of media...maybe the equivalent of the media's CIA black ops.
The media needs these dramatic stories to feed the masses. Remember the Dateline truck explosion? In the past (and probably currently), editorialists have been paid to mention or promote certain brands or products. Product placement in movies, etc.
If the story is true, then I hope the best for those missing...
Climbing a 11k foot mountain in winter is not a "Calculated Risk". It is utter stupidity, right up there with riding a mororcycle, traveling at speeds in excess of 100mph when possible, up California's Pacific Coast Highway wearing shorts, a tank top, and not wearing a helmet.
Not that I would know anything about that...
The thing is, there were not any headlines for my buddy that will function at a 4-6 year old mental/intelligence level for the rest of his life.
And one other thing - skydiving, sail planing, SCUBA diving, all fun and risky at the same time. But if you screw the pooch doing these things, you don't put others at risk to save your dumb a$$.
I absolutely agree that these people are crazy to risk their lives and those of their potential rescuers.
People like those who insist on risking the lives of sherpas on Mt. Everest or potential rescuers in this country are guilty of criminal behavior. There is no difference between these mountain climbers and people who go out in the back country where avalanches are common and ski or ride snowmobiles then get swept away, forcing rescuers to risk their lives looking for these idiots.
This is winter. That is a very high mountain in one of the most northern parts of contiguous 48. What kind of weather did they EXPECT!!!!
"So if they get an undeserved "hero" status,,what is that to you? Would you rather see them dead? Then there would be more "dead heros" and make the story better."
You really had to REACH for that!! lol
SAR groups should also train in real conditions that simulate actual events. Isn't this what they are doing?
About 90% of all searchers/rescuers in a United States SAR incident are volunteers which get paid NOTHING. There is very little cost carried by the government in this type of incident.
Do you realize how much money mountain climbing brings into the local economy? I am very sure the money brought into the economy far outweighs what is spent on SAR efforts.
LOL! Pray for their safety or we will never stop hearing about them!
I know a climber, almost married my daughter {thank you God for sparing us}. He is driven to test himself,,it seems like his entire life is that. He lives to climb. I personally think it is because his father was a rat, deserted him and the family. I think he is proving something in climbing. He could have taken a different path, like trying to be the richest man on the planet or trying to cure cancer. But he chose this. At least he isn't the father of my grandchildren.
But if he were up there, I wouldn't be bitching about the cost or the risk. I know him so that makes the difference and I can understand how the people who love these guys feel right now.
But the press is turning it into a spectacle, not the climbers.
You said -- "Common sense dictates to train in conditions that will best simulate the actual event. Mt Hood ( 11,245 ft.) pales in comparison to Mt. Everest (29,028 ft.)"
While thousands have climbed Mt. Hood, since the late 1800s and had a very easy time of it -- I'm sure that these present climbers (in the article) were climbing Mt. Hood for some training that it gave them. Aren't they headed for Mt. Everest?
Regards,
Star Traveler
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