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$$.
You said -- "Climbing a 11k foot mountain in winter is not a "Calculated Risk". It is utter stupidity, ..."
The people around there in Oregon don't think so. What they consider utter stupidity is not the climbing of the mountain, in the first place [that's a "given"]. The stupidity is not being prepared.
BUT, if you are prepared, then the rescue just comes naturally, after the fact, because in Oregon we know that the weather can come out of nowhere, and that people need to be rescued in various kinds of situations.
So, no..., that's not stupidity around here... (being unprepared is, but they know it's impossible to be prepared for all that Oregon can throw at you).
Regards,
Star Traveler
Sure it is. That is why they left their intentions with the Ranger's office, wore warm, layered clothes, took bivy sacks and extra rations, etc.
And one other thing - skydiving, sail planing, SCUBA diving, all fun and risky at the same time. But if you screw the pooch doing these things, you don't put others at risk to save your dumb a$$.
Really? Ever been to a DZ? I was at Deland, Florida back in the early '80s, witnessed a malfunction and subsequent "bounce". This girl endangered everyone in the vicinity because she improperly packed her main and reserve. A buddy of mine is a PADA Certified Cave Rescue Diver. He takes untold risk every time he has to pull someone out of an underwater cave (for free). Sail Planes? I ran a glider tow operation until 11/05. If the pilot of a glider on tow snatches back hard on the stick the towpilot is likely dead. But, then again, that is why we have releases on both ends. Calculating the risks and preparing yourself accordingly.
It is all calculated risk. Granted, there are some dumb asses out there who've watched Jackass too many times and get themselves into trouble. I call that natural selection. Never underestimate the stupid, though. But, that is just as true in the jury room as it is on the slopes of Mt. Hood.
If I were a betting man, barring being killed in an avalanche, I'd bet they'll be found alive and well because they calculated the risks and were well prepared for those risks by all accounts I've heard.
Totally depends on your level of skill, fitness, experience and preparedness.
For me, it would be "utter stupidity" to clamp on a pair of snow skis and try to ski down the bunny hill as I'm in my 50's and never skiied before. Yet I've seen young children effortlessly ski down expert slopes.
It's all relative and hindsight is 20/20.