[AlexW]

"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."

You also take it out of context...For you any daredevil action is fine, and you are willing to help pay for it.

There is a difference in flying to the moon, and being stupid. These guys would have my support if they had set up a ground crew, or carried proper communications equipment.
Usually a adventure like this has a caveat "At your own risk". This was NOT an expedition. It was a few guys that decided to hike up a mountain at a bad time.
Leaving a note at some unmanned ranger post, to be found only by accident, is hardly a plan.

Will you pay for my funeral if I drive a motorcycle into a brick wall?

Really, I expect them to be found alive, but with todays technology, they could have done a better job of preparation.

[NittanyLion]

You also take it out of context...For you any daredevil action is fine, and you are willing to help pay for it. There is a difference in flying to the moon, and being stupid. These guys would have my support if they had set up a ground crew, or carried proper communications equipment. Usually a adventure like this has a caveat "At your own risk". This was NOT an expedition. It was a few guys that decided to hike up a mountain at a bad time. Leaving a note at some unmanned ranger post, to be found only by accident, is hardly a plan.

The plan seems appropriate considering the difficulty of the climb (a 2-3 day climb doesn't require a base camp). And the difference between flying to the moon and climbing mountains is only one of degree; ultimately both activities are a benefit to society.

Will you pay for my funeral if I drive a motorcycle into a brick wall?

No, but I'll pay for the emergency response teams who have to scrape you off the brick wall, put you in a MedEvac, fly you to the hospital, etc. That's part of the cost of living in a free society.

[cajungirl]

Umm Dude, your funeral doesn't get paid for no matter what you die of unless it is being at war.

All the world is a general, everyone thinks that everybody who does naything has to get their personal approval and support. Why should anyone care if you support them or not.

BTW I don't support those who eat transfats, drink more than two drinks a day, smoke, drive pickups on the road that scare me, wear overly tight jeans.

Do they care? NO! These guys on the mountain don't care what us landlubbers think, they are on their own quest. And I suspect that if govt paid for nothing, rescuing would be going on.

But who expects others to get their personal approval for their adventures? I mean, really, think of the damned red tape.