2 Mount McKinley climbers fall to their deaths

[Cntrygal]

The climbers, both doctors, were roped together when they fell Thursday afternoon along Messner Couloir, a steep, hourglass-shaped snow gully on the 20,320-foot mountain, North America's tallest peak. The climbing partners began an ascent of the mountain's West Rib route on May 30.



link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31331931/ns/us_news-life/)

[Discotrish]

The one guy wasn't married, but the other had kids. I think it's wrong for parents to do hazardous recreational pursuits when they have kids under 18. Get the mountain climbing out of your system before you have kids, or wait until after they're grown up.

Sad.

Patti

[Jan Reimers]

I think people should be free to engage in as many moronic, dangerous endeavors as they want. Since they are knowingly engaging in such activities, however, I would just like them sign a waiver saying that if their behavior causes the expenditure of any public funds (for search, rescue, recovery, etc.) that they or their estates will reimburse the governmental entities involoved.

[schubbard]

I think people should be free to engage in as many moronic, dangerous endeavors as they want. Since they are knowingly engaging in such activities, however, I would just like them sign a waiver saying that if their behavior causes the expenditure of any public funds (for search, rescue, recovery, etc.) that they or their estates will reimburse the governmental entities involoved.
A waiver isn't good enough. They should have to have either the money on hand to cover the expenses (and dependent care, if they have dependents) or buy an insurance policy to cover the expenses. I don't want to pay to raise anyone's kids because they were killed participating in high risk recreational activities... If they don't have dependents, they can decide how much should be spent on rescue/recovery (which could be $0 if they want). No money, no rescue.

[Mr. Miyagi]

No money, no rescue. You work for a private healthcare provider don't you?

[LtFinFan66]

wow, feel the sympathy in this thread:shakeno:

[chernobylwraiths]

A waiver isn't good enough. They should have to have either the money on hand to cover the expenses (and dependent care, if they have dependents) or buy an insurance policy to cover the expenses. I don't want to pay to raise anyone's kids because they were killed participating in high risk recreational activities... If they don't have dependents, they can decide how much should be spent on rescue/recovery (which could be $0 if they want). No money, no rescue.


Haha, nice! If you don't have money, don't expect us to take care of you. Nice attitude. America, where only the rich are important!

[Jan Reimers]

Haha, nice! If you don't have money, don't expect us to take care of you. Nice attitude. America, where only the rich are important!
I was talking about voluntary high-risk behavior, which often results in a great deal of public expenditure to assist, search for, rescue or recover the participants. What's wrong with people being responsible for the consequences of knowingly participating in very dangerous activities?

[chernobylwraiths]

I was talking about voluntary high-risk behavior, which often results in a great deal of public expenditure to assist, search for, rescue or recover the participants. What's wrong with people being responsible for the consequences of knowingly participating in very dangerous activities?

I understand where what you were saying, but it would be impossible to curtail. You just can't stop people from doing stupid things, especially young people. Where do you draw the line? Does walking out on a frozen Lake Erie constitute something dangerous? I know a lot of money was burned in saving a bunch of people who did some ice fishing earlier in the year. You just CAN'T discriminate in trying to save a life.

I think much more money is burned in searching for people with money too. But if you want to enact legislation to redeem some of the cost of recovery if it is learned that the people in question had a lot of money, by all means, go ahead. Of course, that will probably cost even more public money in legal battles from the people affected. Either the idiots who have to be saved or the family of the deceased.

[schubbard]

You work for a private healthcare provider don't you?
Nope. I just see no need for private citizens to be forced (through tax dollars) to finance high risk recreational activities.

[schubbard]

Haha, nice! If you don't have money, don't expect us to take care of you. Nice attitude. America, where only the rich are important!
That's not at all the point. The point is don't sent everyone else the bill for your high risk adventure. If you can't afford your vacation, tough. I didn't take one this spring, either. But don't send me the bill for yours...

[schubbard]

I understand where what you were saying, but it would be impossible to curtail. You just can't stop people from doing stupid things, especially young people. Where do you draw the line? Does walking out on a frozen Lake Erie constitute something dangerous? I know a lot of money was burned in saving a bunch of people who did some ice fishing earlier in the year. You just CAN'T discriminate in trying to save a life.

Most you can't control, but I would think climbing McKinley would be relatively easy. You can't just show up and start climbing. I believe there is a whole process for getting permission to go. Part of the process should be the climber's choice about rescue. Pick one: cash for a rescue, insurance to pay for a rescue, or directions not to rescue. You want to climb, you make the choice...

[Valerie]

WOW! You guys are awfully harsh. And to think I got crap for not feeling sorry for the people illegally sneaking into this country. These people were doing something legal and they were seasoned climbers. It's very sad that this happened. I pray for their families and friends. :pray:

Rangers say Mislow and Swanson were seasoned mountaineers. In 2000, the two received the Denali Pro Award in recognition of setting the highest standards of mountaineering for safety, self-sufficiency and assistance to fellow climbers.

The two helped several teams in distress that year and assisted with visitor protection projects, McLaughlin said.