[angkor]

"unless everyone understands, including the climbers, that no rescue attempt will be made. "

Are you truly not understanding what I said?

Mountain rescue teams are 100 percent private non-profit organizations, many formed decades ago and long before any state, local, or federal agency was even remotely involved in mountain rescue and SAR.

They will continue to aid fellow climbers regardless of public agency involvement, just as they've always done, with or without the "coordination" functions of Oregon county sheriffs, with or without Chinooks.

What you're not understanding, I think, is that mountain rescue teams don't rely on public funds. So you can't really "defund" them. They'll continue to be funded by private donations and volunteer efforts, and they will continue to aid fellow climbers in distress. Just as they always have done.

[aristotleman]

It is very surprising to me, coming from another country, to see that certain people in your society would let their fellow citizens die on top of a mountain, because they think that their risk-taking is a factor in the decision to rescue them.

In western civilization, we value all life. My ancestors taught me democracy, and love for your neighbor.

I'm just shaking my head.

I understand that part of conservative values is self-responsibility (which is what has attracted me to this group), but this just takes it too far!

Those men need to be rescued merely because they are our neighbors, and God's children. End of story.

[Dog Gone]

Where did I say anything about defunding anyone? I didn't.

Where did I say anything about trying to prevent rescue attempts? I didn't.

My comment was entirely directed at what expectations climbers should have. We're not on opposite sides on this question, but you continue to insist that we are.

I would switch to crayon font if I knew how. My point was nothing more than a statement that IF we (whomever WE is) decide not to attempt rescues, and the climbers know that no rescues will be attempted, then that's one path we could take, but everyone should understand that up front.

Otherwise, there is an expectation that rescue attempts will occur.

If you don't understand what I was saying, just forget it. I think the rest of the folks did.