I believe it. And there was a monkey they shot into space in 1960 that survived. Many of the best in mountaineers the world have died attempting to summit Everest. Parents of a 13 y/o who paid for their kid to risk his life like that should be jailed.
Do you not agree that a more responsible and caring approach would not to have been to train the kid to clime and when he is an adult, allow him to make and adult decision on this?
As a conservative who believes in being self sufficient, I don’t think being 16 is the problem, I think ego may be playing a role in this. I was solo sailing the California Coast at 16 on a 44’-CSY for up to a week at a time.
Sailing can be very dangerous for anyone, even the best can lose their life at sea. She is probably an outstanding sailor although I have to wonder if pride and ego played a role in in the decision to “is she ready.” The pressure to “win” may have played a big role this, unfortunately.
My own family does some climbing, hiking, spelunking, diving and hunting. Nothing extreme but all these activities have provided moments where I’ve placed my life in the hand of my children (more so with the older ones;) ).
It’s my personal belief that that freedom and life itself is inherently dangerous. I’m not one for the nanny state telling me what can do, where I can go. (like to my own property that they close off in winter because of snow)
Sometimes I’m convinced my 14y/o has better judgment than I do. In short, I don’t think picking some arbitrary age limit is the way to live life.
Prayers for Abby. Make it home baby.