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.
Our society often tries to protect the imbeciles of this country often to a ridiculous degree. You've heard of course of "legislating against stupidity".
My point is this ....where as a society do we draw the line when this so called safety net we offer up is no longer prudent.
Has climbing Mount Hood (even by experienced mountaines) in December crossed that line? Mountain climbing is an dangerous business and climbing a mother like Mt Hood is decidely so. You think not? Talk to a life insurance rep and see how much life insurance costs someone who does this sort of thing regularly. VERY expensive if obtainable at all.It's not because the insurance people believe they're dealing with imbeciles but because the endeavor is "inherently" perilous.
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.
As a society we should say fine, do what you want but their are certain endeavors which, should you choose to engage in, it's is YOUR personal responsibility to cover your own a$$. If a search and rescue is required, you pay.
Let these folks who engage in high risk behaviors self insure. YOU want to dance, YOU pay the band.
Men love sport. This is a sport requiring uncommon dedication and courage.
I guess we could emasculate all men and not have football, rugby, hunting, etc.
But it sure would be dull to be left talking about Miss America who will never have a good husband given her tarty ways.
I’m sick of watching the relatives of the missing men on TV praise the courage of the climbers,
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The rescue workers are the brave people in this event. The climbers were seeking recreation.
I guess you believe in nature "running its course" when you have angina and need a stent. Or cancer and need chemo?
Can we just kick you to the side of the road?
The most adventurous derring do that got us all here was the men who left in boats to explore the unknown.
Society underwrites this kind of activity from space exploration, air flight and so on.
Besides there is nothing quite like hanging on every report hoping they will be found.
Plus they have Mammas,,you wanta tell their Mamas that it is too much trouble and expense to save their boys?
Yes, making you think that everything in my life equates to money. Please bear in mind, in this case, I was speaking of the intangible benefit of skill training. If your mind is up to it.
I would rather read about the continuing decline of the New York Times and the LA Times.
The editors and the printing pressmen should be stalked and every incident of maintenance or glitch in the press room pounced on in detail.
The salesmen could be interviewed about their daily unsuccessful struggles to regain accounts seemingly lost for ever more.
The newsprint manufacturer the Times owns in Maine could be interviewed and there could be speculation about the loss of union jobs and grand children not getting their medicine because of layoffs.
There could be a trip to the Hamptons and photos of a mansion along with speculation about the sale of the property to pay bills. There could be a sideline about how sale of the property would save several jobs during the slump.
I live in Minnesota.
We are taught in school in 5th grade how to make a snow fort if we get lost in a blizzard, etc.They are warm.
I'm sure these guys are fine right now.
Yes, I'm sure that if it were *your* brother up there you'd be making sure that his checks all cleared before you gave the OK for any rescue attempt.
Yeesh. What a filthy place this is sometimes.
.....It was ludicrous for them not to wait until at least late spring......
Check your calender. Winter doesn't start for two weeks after their expedition. In fact, their trip is being accomplished in late Fall.
Climbing "alpine style" leaves no extra time.
LOL--Back in the day when such things were "new," I subscribed to the MSNBC desktop news-alert service (having MSNBC as my homepage). I stopped it in less than a day, after having received an alert that "Yosemite Park anticipates heavy traffic this holiday weekend."
Seems to be nature's way of thinning the herd. If these guys were training for an assault on Everest they found out early in the game that they weren't making the cut. Call this an unfair slam on them if you wish, but it doesn't change the fact that they didn't make it. And, just for the record, I DO hope that they're alive and well, but I'm not going to hold my breath. They knew the job was dangerous when they took it...SSZ
I would hope "my brother" would be wise enough not to engage in self endangering behavior.
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