Does anyone else feel this way?

Mount Hood search: What a waste

America continues to follow the gut-wrenching story of the rescue operation underway for the three experienced climbers missing on Oregon's Mount Hood. Given the deteriorating weather conditions, the probability of finding any or all of the men alive decreases by the hour.

Only the most heartless individual would not feel the pain of the families and friends of Kelly James, Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke as they wait for the end of the story.

But it's impossible not to wonder about the inordinate amount of time and money that's being spent to rescue people who willingly and knowingly engaged in such high-risk behavior.

Did these experienced climbers not consider the possibility that a blizzard might occur in December? That a two-day rapid ascension might get derailed into a longer ordeal because of the weather?

The Hood River County Sheriff's Office, the Nevada Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve's 304th Rescue Squadron are among the groups involved in the search. Folks, taxpayer dollars are funding those efforts.

Doesn't seem right.
http://blogs.dfw.com/labbe/2006/12/mount_hood_sear.html

Actually I heard an interview with the leader of one of the search and rescue
teams on NPR on Saturday.

While some areas have adopted a billing system for search and rescue (the Grand Canyon for one) her group opposes them.Her argument goes something like this;

Most search and rescue personel are unpaid volunteers.The Air National Guard flight time gets logged as training hours with a higher standard of training than most normal training missions would provide.Also, you don't want people to be reluctant to call for rescue when they really need it.She also pointed out that the majority of rescues involved hikers, not climbers.

On the other hand, I wondered when I heard her about the other side of the srgument.A few years ago (at Yosemite?)
a hiker tried to call for a rescue because she was tired.Last year a guy got littered out of the wilderness then got off the
stretcher and walked to the ambulance.Paul Petzoldt, who started the National Outdoor Leadership school, always emphasized that wilderness travellers had an obligation to be aware of the social costs of their adventures.

Why wouldn't experienced climbers like these guys have a GPS tracker with them?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syl.../163Z9LL6XE9M2

Let's ask the sheriff they keep interviewing.

"uhhhh...."

Risk is a healthy part of a rich life. We should honor these men for their example. What would the American life be worth if insurance companies and pragmatists enforced budgets or had too much say? We can affort the cost to rescue people willing to face their fears--especially the experienced, they do not carelessly take unprepared risks. Can someone pay for my airfare--I will personally volunteer my time to search for men of this level of courage.

Reference: Scott Fischer

tell that to their children

"Yes children, your fathers were men of courage. They went in search of greater wisdom through the risks and efforts for which the sport they loved required. You can be proud that these passionate men may have died doing something worth the risk of dying. They were not willing to accept an empty life of fear and escapism. They were tenacious participants in their fates. They would want you to remember them for their strengths and forgive them for their mistakes-- for through their example you will learn much about your own courage to face your fears. They will be honored by those who understand the value of personal freedom and self discovery. We will miss them greatly if they are lost to us in the physical, but we will not give up searching for the lack of resources, nor will we point the finger of blame for their misfortune, or forget them in spirit. We would not want to send the message that failure is punishable, or an excuse for any of us to cease yearning for adventure."

stfu you asshole.

There is probably a search rescue and recovery group in your area-they'll train you and give you a group to work with-of course, you don't get to pick
the character of the people you help.I hope you have some mountains where you live.

I live in the ghetto

What response could I expect from someone who musters up their courage with a bottle of booze?

that's not very godly of you

I live in the mountains. We face these kinds of risks because, to most of us who live in dangerous areas, the value of life is action and support rather than excuses and security. It is not the environment ideal for everyone.

What is god-like is truth and love, not fear and hate. You drink, of course, to escape life?

You don't know what I do.
Felonious drunk is a play on words idiot
thelonious monk

Yes, I thought your screen name was creative. Now, are you saying you don't get drunk?

"But".....Sounds pretty much like you're admitting to being a heartless individual.

So how comewe never here of news stories where 3 women needed to be rescued from dangerous conditions? Media bias? Or aren't there many women who takes great risks?

I didn't write that article. If you look at the bottom there is a link.

Get lost misogynist