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.
So, we are the heart of it. You would be off climbing, forsaking your nice big screen tv, if only you had an understanding employer.
Dude,,get over it.
You have a point. However they were climbing Mt. Hood, not Mt. Everest. That is a considerably different scale of endeavour. Even a student could affort Mt. Hood.
Your's is the best and only answer yet! We are all going to die. Those that push the death envelope can expect to leave early, but it's their choice.
Gotta take issue.
65 grand is not rich to climb Everest. Many climbers are subsidized, my personal climber, the one I know, was subsidized.
But 65 grand is not rich to spend on a hobby. People spend 50grand on lexuses and most of them are just hard working middle of the road people.
I think these outdoor types, the young ones, spend every cent on what they do and work in off season.
But rich envy is present on FR. Would we like them better if they were poor?
Envy has nothing to do with it.
You don't know jack 'bout me or the risks I take. My job is listed among the "ten most dangerous occupations".
Truth be known, I suspect you watch much more tube than I. You get over it,,,dudett!
But I am not whining about being made to watch news about climbers. And not whining about my boss not letting me off.
If you are in such a dangerous occupation, I find it odd that you have such disdain for fellow folks in trouble.
You just sound so envious that they got time off, got resources to indulge a hobby and have attention from the press. Really, you sounded that way.
"...Columbus never would have sailed. Alan Shepard would never have taken his ride..."
I don't get your analogy. What great benefit to humankind would come as a result of these guys successfully getting to the top of Mount Hood and back? Unlike Columbus, Shepard etc., we never would have even heard of the Mt. Hood climbers had their expedition not been a disaster. And we certainly wouldn't be hearing about them every fifteen minutes if it weren't a slow news week.
In a free society these guys have an absolute right to climb any mountain they choose, but they don't have the right to expect to be rescued from the consequences of their own choices, especially when such rescue could put the lives of others at risk. I'm for billing the families of these guys, if only to make others think twice before they do something foolhardy.
I wish the rescuers the best of luck and hope the climbers make it back safe. But to equate their wintertime escapade with exploring space or discovering new continents is specious. None of the explorers you mentioned had reason to expect rescue of any kind if their endeavors failed.
Okay you brought it up.
What is your occupation so we can judge its dangerousness?
"That's part of the cost of living in a free society"
You should have said "that's part of the cost of living in a socialist society."
Call it bold risk taking, pushing the envelope, etc...constantly seeking to improve oneself is a uniquely American trait. While the people I mentioned did so on a national scale, those who do so on a personal scale also contribute to an overall societal improvement. Hence the analogy.
Socialist country? Just because we use our govenment to help rescues? At least it keeps them out of trouble.
True, there is a socialist component to it. However, I think even most conservatives support emergency response as a legitimate role of government. I know this conservative has no problem paying for police/fire/rescue services.
You said -- My job is listed among the "ten most dangerous occupations".
Well, my guess is that you're either a tax driver or a garbage collector, then. My other picks are a farmer or fisherman.
Woo-hoo, doesn't that strike fear in your veins... like being a taxi driver?? Better yet, I would be shaking in my boots to be a garbage collector...
That's "right up there" with climbing the north side of Mt. Hood in the winter, for sure.
See...
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/26/pf/jobs_jeopardy/
Regards,
Star Traveler
What seems to have gotten you started on me was my reply to the question, “Who defines what is necessary?”
The individual asking the question appeared to imply that everyday tasks such as traveling to work on a daily basis in some way was the equivalent to the recreational sport of mountain climbing.
To that end, I was merely trying to say in a polite manner, Hogwash.
Interesting take on Oregon, Star Traveler. I remember reading some bizarre story ten years or so ago about the wife of an assistnat football coach whose team was going to the Suprer Bowl. She was hysterical that she didn't get the "righ" tickets for the Super Bowl game and the social events that accompany it. So she ran out of the car (her grown sons and daughter were in it) and stood on the Oregon coastal cliffs threatening to jump. Her grown children went over to save her, the rocks she was standing on collapsed and they all fell into the very cold ocean, where I believe two of them drowned.
Others posting on here with far more hands on experience in Oregon disagree with you. I will defer to their judgement.
Oh I see, I shouldn't make statements about the climbers because I don't know them personally but you are justified to make statements about me even though you don't know me personally.
" Always rescuing those who only think of their own satisfaction will only encourage more needless risk taking and put more lives at risk."
=========================================================
Oh yeah, also-----
Rove you magnificent bastard
and in other news, John Belushi is still dead
I have been to Portland before. I didn't know about the pump laws at the time and I think the attendant almost had a heart attack when I went for the pump myself.
My craft is that of a Turbine Millwright, however, I am currently employed as an Iron Worker hanging steel on a New Construction project in SC.
My preference in terms of recreational activities is Whitewater Rafting.
Smarta$$!
Well I talked about it with a house full of native Oregonians last night and we all thought they were idiots for trying that. They may have thought they knew what they were getting into, but had no idea how bad that mountain can get. Perhaps a transplant like yourself can help them out.
Having skied on it I can tell you the winds are bonechilling on the lifts when the 50 mph winds blow and they are 2000' below where the climbers were at. Most likely got knocked off a cliff by the wind and then the storm came in.
Your personal attacks are pretty childish and usually used by someone who has already lost the issue.
The guys made a foolhardy decision and now 100s of people have to risk their lives to save them. The fact that they didn't walk out yesterday is a pretty bad sign.
Pray for W and Our Troops
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