Can I Get An Opinion?

[Penn]

No URL here, however have any of you seen the recent story about a mountain climber, who was just recovered from Mount St. Helen, posthumously, I might add?

The danger of climbing a peak, or mountain like that one, is fraught with obvious peril, injury, or loss of life. Ok, so there is a certain amount of "thrill" involved here, but when does common sense kick in there, in a person's mind, and they realise - "this may not be the best idea I've had today."

Any big-time mountain climbers on board today?

[Terminator]

Originally Posted by Penn

No URL here, however have any of you seen the recent story about a mountain climber, who was just recovered from Mount St. Helen, posthumously, I might add?

The danger of climbing a peak, or mountain like that one, is fraught with obvious peril, injury, or loss of life. Ok, so there is a certain amount of "thrill" involved here, but when does common sense kick in there, in a person's mind, and they realise - "this may not be the best idea I've had today."

Any big-time mountain climbers on board today?

It is in their DNA. Have you noticed the Olympic commentators this week - when they introduce an athlete, they list all of the injuries that athlete has had leading up to the big moment. If you have been hurt once doing something dangerous, why go back and continuously get hurt??!! FOR THE THRILL MAN!

[itsbob]

He fell (snow gaveway) while posing for a picture..

NOBODY pose for any pictures, it's TOO dangerous!!

[Penn]

Originally Posted by Terminator

It is in their DNA. Have you noticed the Olympic commentators this week - when they introduce an athlete, they list all of the injuries that athlete has had leading up to the big moment. If you have been hurt once doing something dangerous, why go back and continuously get hurt??!! FOR THE THRILL MAN!

I'm with you......but this guy is not coming back, now is he? This is not the first fatality on that mountain either. In the last several years, state forest rangers, mountain rescue people, helicopters, etc., have been forced to help save these people from their own bad choices. Athletic sports is one thing; injuries do happen, but I just don't know about this type of sport.

Am I right or wrong?

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Penn

I'm with you......but this guy is not coming back, now is he? This is not the first fatality on that mountain either. In the last several years, state forest rangers, mountain rescue people, helicopters, etc., have been forced to help save these people from their own bad choices. Athletic sports is one thing; injuries do happen, but I just don't know about this type of sport.

Am I right or wrong?

I don't think folks should be stopped from doing such things... but I do think they or their estate should responsible for recovery costs.

[bcp (Premo)]

sometimes it pays off to be a lazy old bastage.

My uneventful arse is sitting here discussing the demise of yet another in shape thrill seeker.

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by kwillia

I don't think folks should be stopped from doing such things... but I do think they or their estate should responsible for recovery costs.

In America we're supposed to be allowed to do stupid stuff, even dangerous stuff.. It's called freedom..

Why we feel the need to have to rescue people that are exercising their freedoms is beyond me..

BUT in Oregon it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% volunteer mountain rescue, and I THINK they use National Guard assets for helo support.. GREAT training for them, especially seeing the terrain they may be flying in in the future, and have flown in in the past.

[thurley42]

Originally Posted by Penn

I'm with you......but this guy is not coming back, now is he? This is not the first fatality on that mountain either. In the last several years, state forest rangers, mountain rescue people, helicopters, etc., have been forced to help save these people from their own bad choices. Athletic sports is one thing; injuries do happen, but I just don't know about this type of sport.

Am I right or wrong?

This is the point I wanted to hit on...I'm all for adventure sports, testing yourself, climbing mountains, base jumping...whatever. But I think people should accept the personal risk associated with it....i.e. if you can't be saved by the individuals in your party...well you are gonna die on that mountain....we shouldn't risk innocent peoples lives, taxpayer equipment, and resources on saving people who got in over their head...

[muttdog]

Originally Posted by thurley42

This is the point I wanted to hit on...I'm all for adventure sports, testing yourself, climbing mountains, base jumping...whatever. But I think people should accept the personal risk associated with it....i.e. if you can't be saved by the individuals in your party...well you are gonna die on that mountain....we shouldn't risk innocent peoples lives, taxpayer equipment, and resources on saving people who got in over their head...

[Terminator]

Originally Posted by Penn

I'm with you......but this guy is not coming back, now is he? This is not the first fatality on that mountain either. In the last several years, state forest rangers, mountain rescue people, helicopters, etc., have been forced to help save these people from their own bad choices. Athletic sports is one thing; injuries do happen, but I just don't know about this type of sport.

Am I right or wrong?

You are right. I don't agree with spending my tax dollars to rescue people like this, though if what itsbob says is correct and that it is used as training, then that probably is ok. Better to train real life than fake. But if we have no trainees on duty when these rescues are needed, leave em be to rot. The mountain lions and buzzards need to eat too!