Any way we slice it, I think mountain climbers are nuts. Life presents us with enough challenges that we really don't need to go looking for them.
Your story reminded me of the man who stayed behind with his friend in a wheelchair as the World Trade Center collapsed around them.
By our fruits are we known.
I also agree with you about thrill seekers. It's juvenile, the stuff of boys.
To those who seem to need it I suggest: go fight in a war. Then if you still need thrills, go back. It's easy to find adventure if you're not just a overgrown teenager.
Having said that, one of my dear friends served three tours in Vietnam and he's STILL climbing mountains. Last time we talked in the fall of 2005, he was in the Alps, climbing.
So, I'll assume some are like him.