Well said.
No thats not what I meant. There are tons of things that people can do that help them experience life to the fullest. My heroes are the ones who search for cancer cures, solve the mysteries of physics, and even the ones who simply raise great families.
Most of what I do I don't consider dangerous at all. I get most of my enjoyment from sharing it others. Watching the Sun rise from the top of the Tetons isn't any fun without someone I love, to watch it with. I get a kick out of taking Young Eagles on their first flight, especially when they run back to their parents to tell them all about the flight.
The people I feel sorry for are the ones that spend all their time working and watching TV, who just get old and die, afraid to even attempt their dreams. Anything worth doing has its risks, starting a new business, writing a book or painting a picture.
If you have a dream go for it! And at the very least try to help others accomplish their dreams instead of hindering them.
There's nothing wrong with your philosophy as stated in the post I'm responding to. But the point is that people are exhilarated by other things besides dangerous recreational activities and should not be considered old, tired, bored or fearful. Just because someone doesn't have the vaguest desire to climb a mountain doesn't mean they're a couch potato.
When someone risks their life by going into an extremely dangerous situation simply for exhilaration and thrills, I have to consider them an idiot and very selfish. I know there is a risk level in many recreational activities, but mountain climbing in these conditions was well beyond the pale.