I’m Tired Of Hearing About The Missing Mt. Hood Climbers

MND ^ | December 17, 2006 | By Robert Paul Reyes

[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.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Personally, I don't really care what this Jacka-- is tired of hearing about.

[NittanyLion]

It's always interesting to read these threads. You get the sense that if the world's views reflected those of many people on this thread, Columbus never would have sailed. Alan Shepard would never have taken his ride. Ernest Shackleton and Edmund Hillary would be unknowns. Chuck Yeager would have stuck to driving his car. And the list goes on.

Folks, society bears the time and cost of these recovery operations because it is this sort of risk taking and bold action that makes this nation great. While this particular expedition didn't turn out well, the net effect of all expeditions is a positive one for society.

Reagan said about people like these, "I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." Here on FreeRepublic the best most people can muster is a variation of, "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."

How sad.

[lonestar]

Has anyone thought of the possibility (I offer no opinion) that perhaps these climbers decided to make themselves "missing" and have really not been in danger on the mountain?

Oh my gosh! No!!!

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "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."

Oh yeah..., a lot of money. It's not only what it brings into the local economy, from outside the state -- but also what is spent "in state" by very many people here. There are a lot of outdoor people here and a lot of mountains, running through the entire state. So, there are ample opportunities and a lot of business being done.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[AlexW]

"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."

You take what I said out of context. Of course we have to do everything we can to save them, even if they are stupid, but they should be held to pay the tab, even if it bankrupts them.
What they did was NOT an accident. They went on a daredevil thrill trip, and YOU want everyone to pay for it.

[Thermalseeker]

You would be creating a far more dangerous situation if you unnecessarily, willingly and knowingly flew in weather conditions you knew could be potentially dangerous.

Superior pilots use their superior knowledge so that they don't have to use their superior skill. Many, many times I have flown in situations that could be potentially dangerous. However, each and every time the most dangerous part was driving to the airport.....

[Spok]

"We rescue people because it is the right thing to do."

I'm a volunteer firefighter/EMT and this comment struck home for me. We don't ask how people hurt themselves, why they crashed their car, or if they carelessly started their homes on fire. Despite my strong views of personal responsibility and accountability, there's a time and place when we need to reach out as human beings to those in true need, unconditionally and unquestioningly. Making them pay up later is fine, but the first thing we need to do is reach out. If the media flogs these stories to death, it's not the victims' fault.

[Halls]

Sadly, I'm tired of hearing about this as well. Not for the reasons that the writer suggests, but because it is heartbreaking to see the famalies of these missing men crying for their loved ones and hoping that they will be found. I'm like give us some news when the men are rescued or found dead!

Honestly, if we don't want to see this unfold all we have to do is turn the tv off.

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "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!!!!"

Actually, in Oregon, there's no telling what kind of weather. It comes out of nowhere, at times. It doesn't matter if it's Winter or Summer. For example, over at Crater Lake (a lot lower than Mt. Hood), they record snowfalls every month of the year (on different years for different months, of course). But, you just never know, out there in Oregon country...

Regards,
Star Traveler

[killjoy]

Folks, society bears the time and cost of these recovery operations because it is this sort of risk taking and bold action that makes this nation great. While this particular expedition didn't turn out well, the net effect of all expeditions is a positive one for society.

As well as, when required, providing perfect training opportunities to National Guard Pilots and Pararescue Jumpers. Without using these events for training, they would not be able to do their job as effectively in places like Iraq.

[Sir Gawain]

Lacking any news content and being pure opinion, this article belongs in Bloggers/Personal.

LOL, nice attempt at suppressing an Editorial (hint: it's a category under News/Activism). Keep up the good work comrade.

[bonfire]

FOX just reported Avalanche conditions.

[Star Traveler]

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

[mewzilla]

I hope that these three men are found alive.

Then I hope the authorities hand them the bill for their rescue.

[org.whodat]

Military search and rescue operations are budgeted as training.

When good men get killed trying to rescue fools, is that budgeted as well.

[randita]

Letting the government charge for services it chooses to provide is just giving it a license to steal. Start with 'rescues' and how long will it be before you're getting a bill from the Fire Department if you didn't cut the grass that caught on fire?

You've taken a different angle than what I've heard described, but equally valid. What I've heard is that people aren't charged for rescues, because then if the rescue went awry the person who paid could sue the rescuers. When you pay, there's no such thing as a "Good Samaritan" exemption from liability.

[org.whodat]

Well, let's cancel government fire and ambulance services too. After all, these involve choices too. If you didn't build a house you would need a fire truck to put out your house fire or if you didn't ride in a car you wouldn't be in a car wreck either.

Childish response of the thread.

[Man50D]

SAR groups should also train in real conditions that simulate actual events. Isn't this what they are doing?

You are missing several obvious points. My comment referred only to the climbers. Ignoring that fact, the rescuers train specifically for conditions on Mt. Hood. No two mountains are the same. A qualified trained rescuer for Mt. Hood does not necessarily qualify that person for Mt. Everest especially considering the latter is approximately 18,000 feet higher than the former!

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.

No where in my comment was I referring to the financial aspect of the rescue operation because it is irrelevant. I would have specifically referred to the cost if that was my intention.

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.

Are you stating it is worth risking lives to rescue people who knowingly and willingly put themselves and others in dangerous conditions?

It is hard to imagine anyone justifying it was worth sacrificing a loved one to bring in more money for the local economy who died trying to rescue someone who wanted to experience a dangerous situation just for thrill.

[null and void]

The writer is a horse's ass.

Ya THINK?!?!?

[Let's Roll]

"Their actions also endangers their rescuers."

Thank you - I've been thinking that for days. Similar to the fools who try to drive through a flooded area and then, if they're lucky, end up perched in a tree waiting for someone to pull their butt out of danger.

And that "someone" has family and friends who care about his safety and well-being just as much as the fool's do.