[bcsco]

Sure it is....just don't go up the damn mountain !

Just don't get in the damn car. That way, no accident. Just don't go down into the damn coal mine. That way, no danger from cave-ins or gas poisoning.

What, these people are to blame because they went mountain climbing? Thousands of people do each year without problem. Sure, it has its dangers, but so does skiing, scuba-diving, auto racing, you name it. If people are to be chided for mountain climbing then the same rules should apply to those who choose other somewhat dangerous sports. In fact, let's go the whole route: Let's outlaw them all. There. That's the answer.

[AlexW]

"Just don't get in the damn car. That way, no accident."

Don't be ridiculous...
If I want to jump into the Atlantic in December and swim to Bermuda, or I want to play Russian Roulette, or I want to climb a high mountain in mid December without a support team at the base, and without adequate communications, should I expect the tax payers to save my sorry ass?

We are not talking about someone caught in a flash flood, or a freak natural event. We are talking about adventurist that did a stupid thing.

[epow]

Just don't get in the damn car. That way, no accident. Just don't go down into the damn coal mine. That way, no danger from cave-ins or gas poisoning.

Nonsense. Those are the kinds of things that many ordinary people have to do to make a living and lead their everyday lives. No one has to climb Mt. Hood in winter to make a living or to lead a normal life.

Of course the climbers were free to put themselves in as much danger as they wanted to, but don't try to tell me they were just doing what was necessary in order to travel on a highway or earn a living. They were simply playing a game, a very dangerous game which they seem to have lost.