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Wow.
I think people have the right to seek in life what they choose to make them happy as long as no one is being hurt intentionally (like in some criminal or abusive way). The people in their lives have to love and accept them the way they are, especially the spouses or mates who choose to be with them... or they should not choose that person. Accidents happen everywhere and there is cost in rescuing people. It's not for me to judge how someone lives their life. Life is hard, so much pain, I say seek happiness and fulfillment where you can find it... if that means skydiving, climbing, whatever, go for it. I do draw the line, however, at leaving my friend to DIE to reach the summit at Mt. Everest. So many bodies are left on that mountain. That means those people have lost priorities. As long as it's all in balance, I say jump. Life's too short not to try what you want to. Naked skydiving anyone? :)
posted by
Temple
on December 21, 2006 at 6:53 AM
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Justi
This is such a difficult question to answer.
In the example of the gentlemen on the mountain: I do not fault them for being adventurous. I'm sure it was not their intent to become lost or die in the pursuit of participating in their favorite hobby. At the same time, because of the outcome of their hobby other people's lives were (are) put at stake in an attempt to rescue/recover them. That part is hard for me to swallow.
Using firemen, policemen, bomb squads, and those fields of work as an example: these individuals have placed themselves (and the potential for others to be) in harms way simply by entering their specific line of work. I label them heroic.
I guess I'm indesisive, Justi. I'm having difficulty finding the right words this evening! Thank you for a thought provoking post!
posted by
Presley
on December 20, 2006 at 7:55 PM
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Justi
I get riled up, as you do, when I hear these stories of successful or failed rescues in the news. So much man power, time and money is spent rescuring a person who (experienced as they may have been) chose to test his/her limits and go beyond the recommended zones. I agree, it doesn't make them a hero. In fact, it's a rather selfish act.
posted by
Troosha
on December 20, 2006 at 12:04 PM
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You're absolutely right, Justi. That was on the news on whole day and I thought, "how stupid can people be, being up there in the first place?" I, actually, only knew about the one dying. Did they find the other one?
posted by
MaggieMae
on December 20, 2006 at 5:27 AM
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Justi
As far as I know, these were three very experienced guys who got caught in a freakish snow storm. I am not sure that there was any warning of that. I don't think that, given their experience and conditioning, they took an exceptionally high risk. But accidents happen, and it happened here. They weren't heroes, but I am sure they battled bravely to get out of their predicament.
And we will try and rescue people from a mountain, just as we will try and pluck people from the sea...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 20, 2006 at 4:03 AM
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I do not mind those who take these chances
but they should be responsible for their own actions. I also do not call somebody a hero who deliberately put themselves in danger.
posted by
Tanga
on December 20, 2006 at 12:19 AM
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Justi
I can really understand the urge, the pull, to do that--climb a mountain. I would try the north face of Mount Hood if I thought that there was any way that I could physically do it. But, I would not expect anyone to come rescue me being as how I had decided to take the risk myself. Also, I would not consider them heros. They are simply doing something they want to do and yes, it is a selfish thing. What is sad is when someone is killed or hurt trying to rescue someone who chose to do the foolish thing.
posted by
TAPS.
on December 19, 2006 at 10:09 PM
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I'm kind of with everybody else on this one.
They knew the risks they were taking when they set off on the "adventure" in the beginning. That "risk" was part of the thrill for them. Hero?? I don't think so.
posted by
Joe_Love
on December 19, 2006 at 5:39 PM
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Justi.....
do we see a thread of similarity here.....all of us thinking the same thing at the same time......heros? Nope, to me just another example of the law of natural selection.....Hike on a very dangerous mountain in the winter....fully aware of the storms, cold, and high winds???? What's wrong with this picture? Selfish...self-centered? You right on target, Justi.
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on December 19, 2006 at 5:31 PM
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Justi
I think these people who feel the need to take such high risks should sign a wavier before doing it..Too many could get hurt trying to save their butts..Like you I am sorry about the death but if they had stayed home and done something constructive then it wouldn't have happened...They could have climbed Mt. Hood in the spring for gosh sakes..It reminds me of that HBO comedian...you can't fix stupid. In many ways I think what they did is very selfish..
posted by
Offy
on December 19, 2006 at 4:41 PM
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Hey Justi, Max and I were just talking about this. I think that
these climbers and others who are involved in any kind of extreme or high-risk sport sholud have to carry some kind of special insurance coverage that will cover the cost of any rescue that might be needed.
posted by
muser
on December 19, 2006 at 4:35 PM
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bel
You humble me. Thank you for such kindness.
posted by
Justi
on December 19, 2006 at 2:25 PM
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Talion
Thank you so much for your comment. I remember that little girl. Her's was an accident. A precious little child. Another are the coal miners all over the world that risk their lives daily and need help. I agree that things like bungie jumping etc., all those things you mentioned are dangerous. But my point is that a Bungie Jumper would not jump with a frayed rope. This is a dangerous mountain and add to that the really unusual weather they have been having for the last month in that area. It is also a Holiday Season where their families will want to be with them. One other fact is a if I have a motorcycle accident and I will pay for the costs, it will likely involve the usual rescue people which have budgets for the usually anticipated accidents. Who pays for the pleasure seeking accidents of greater risk than usual far-far greater costs?
posted by
Justi
on December 19, 2006 at 2:24 PM
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Scoop
I am glad you said that out loud. I have wondered the same. I have not liked what I have heard in the past couple of years about the competition among many of the climbers. Have a Merry Christmas!
posted by
Justi
on December 19, 2006 at 2:18 PM
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Justi good post,
I have a couple of questions about the lost mountaineers but we will probably never know the whole story. They said that one guy was possibly hurt, he is the one who used his cellphone to call his family, while the other two went for help. Why didn't they all stay together, and stau put and use the phone to get rescuers in to help?
posted by
scoop
on December 19, 2006 at 1:19 PM
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I'm going to tell you what I think about you anyway
I think you are a wonderful loving human being. I don't always agree with you on everything but that's OK. I am so thankful to have you in my life and I know you have been put here for a reason. Just wanted to tell that I love you Justi.
posted by
bel_1965
on December 19, 2006 at 12:47 PM
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Justi
Years ago I remember the news story about a little girl who fell down a well. The whole country watched the rescue drama unfold. It was an intensely joyous moment to see her pulled out alive. As well as pain and suffering, the news media also thrives on "triumphs of the human spirit."
When we really look at it, many physical hobbies/pass times are inherently dangerous. Riding a motorcycle, sky diving, bungee jumping, swimming, contact sports, the list goes on and on, can all be potentially deadly. All it takes is one accident, one misstep. It's the danger that makes these hobbies/pass times appealing. I agree these climbers voluntarily and unnecessarily placed themselves in harm's way, but they never intended for things to turn out the way they did. It was an accident, a tragic accident. One thing that all accidents have in common, whether it's something like this or someone falling asleep with a pot on the stove that causes a fire, is they could've been avoided.
posted by
Talion
on December 19, 2006 at 12:43 PM
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