The Yeti ate 'em.
Good points, just like why we bother rescuing people at Mt. Everest?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
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? As you can see, its a great way to get a ton of publicity for people who prior to this were not celebrities, get their 15 minutes of "fame" and maybe write a book and get some speaking opportunities.
We rescue people because it is the right thing to do. If it's about the money, then they can be asked to pay the state back.
We could talk about Miss USA losing her crown then.
The writer should do some research before spouting off on something about which he knows nothing:
http://www.americanalpineclub.org/pdfs/MRreal.pdf
Anyone wanting fo follow this situation from the bird's eye view of fellow mountaineers with experience in the Cascades, try this:
http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/619105/page/0/fpart/1
Maybe they're on the trail of the van der Sloots?
/gallows humor
And I'm tired of listening to you so I'll just leave the thread.
"Mountain climbing is a sport for the wealthy who can afford to take weeks off from work to indulge in their expensive hobby."
The writer is a horse's ass.
The families should be billed for the rescue. Payment plans with low interest.
On the positive side, search and rescue are getting valuable experience and training.
I will save my mourning...victims of drunk drivers, children dying and suffering from diseases, inhumane treatment of animals.
Lacking any news content and being pure opinion, this article belongs in Bloggers/Personal.
In strictly economic terms, there is still the benefit of these agencies/organizations getting real-world practice. We can argue about the degree of the benefit, however.
As an adventure book hound, I have some idea of why men go up mountains, and why other men go to rescue them. It's all part of being male and it always was and always will be. Leave it at that.
The Yeti ate 'em.
Well, I am speechless.
At some level you are of course right.
I guess we should just let them rot up there, or freeze.
But it just feels sooo wrong.
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.
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.