Extreme Sports
I sympathize with the families of the climbers on Mt. Hood. No family should have to undergo the agony of wondering is a loved one is dead or alive.
The climbers knew the chance they were taking when they set out on their climb and they chose to take their chances. I'm sure none of them even considered the fact that they could be lost on the mountain or the pain that would cause their families. That is just the way we are.
Since Extreme Sports have become so popular as a result of TV shows we are seeing an increase in severe injuries and deaths happening to new Risk Takers. Look at the number of people who have died on Mt. Everest, who by tradition are left where they died, and the horrendous injuries resulting from malfunctioning parachutes, etc.
It is human nature to push the envelope and to take chances but the public should not have to pay for their mistakes. I have no idea how much the rescue efforts for the Mt. Hood climbers is costing but I am sure it is a bunch. What bothers me more is that it could have been avoided or at least minimized.
I think anyone who is going to use National Parks for mountain climbing, wilderness hikes ar descents into canyons should be required to have a homing device on his person. In a group, every person should have to wear one. Homing devices may not be a panacea but they would definetly reduce the number of incidents like the current Mt. Hood tragedy.
Chuck
The climbers knew the chance they were taking when they set out on their climb and they chose to take their chances. I'm sure none of them even considered the fact that they could be lost on the mountain or the pain that would cause their families. That is just the way we are.
Since Extreme Sports have become so popular as a result of TV shows we are seeing an increase in severe injuries and deaths happening to new Risk Takers. Look at the number of people who have died on Mt. Everest, who by tradition are left where they died, and the horrendous injuries resulting from malfunctioning parachutes, etc.
It is human nature to push the envelope and to take chances but the public should not have to pay for their mistakes. I have no idea how much the rescue efforts for the Mt. Hood climbers is costing but I am sure it is a bunch. What bothers me more is that it could have been avoided or at least minimized.
I think anyone who is going to use National Parks for mountain climbing, wilderness hikes ar descents into canyons should be required to have a homing device on his person. In a group, every person should have to wear one. Homing devices may not be a panacea but they would definetly reduce the number of incidents like the current Mt. Hood tragedy.
Chuck
posted by Chuck at 12:17 PM
1 Comments:
horrendous injuries resulting from malfunctioning parachutes
The vast majority of fatalities and injury with parachutes these days are operator error and/or hotdogging. Properly maintained and conservatively operated gear works. The dreaded double-malfunction is a very very rare event, and the vast majority of the time a result of incorrect emergency procedures.
I'm a veteran of 3 reserve parachute rides.
Post a Comment
<< Home