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Subscribe to RSSAuthorities coordinating a search effort by 400 people atop Mt. McKinley believe an avalanche most likely claimed the lives of four adult hikers. NBC's Veronica de la Cruz reports.
Four Japanese climbers, two men and two women, are presumed dead after an avalanche swept down Mt. McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park, the National Park Service said Saturday. One man survived after climbing out of a crevasse he had been thrown into.
The five-person team was roped together when the slide hit at 2 a.m. Thursday on the mountain's West Buttress, in an area known as Motorcycle Hill, the park service said in a statement.
"The five were travelling as one rope team, although the rope broke during the avalanche," the service stated.
Some 400 people were searching the area Saturday, but snow and wind have impeded the effort on North America's tallest mountain.
Hitoshi Ogi, 69, survived with minor injuries, making his way down from the avalanche at 11,000 feet to a base camp at 7,200 feet by 4 p.m. on Thursday.
A helicopter crew deployed that day failed to find any sign of the others, the service said.
Those presumed dead are 64-year-old Yoshiaki Kato; 50-year-old Masako Suda; 56-year-old Michiko Suzuki; and 63-year-old Tamao Suzuki.
Becky Bohrer / AP
Mt. McKinley, where 4 climbers were presumed dead, is North America's tallest mountain.
All are from Miyagi Prefecture -- the same area devastated by the 2011 quake and tsunami -- and were descending the mountain when the avalanche hit.
If confirmed, the deaths would be the worst accident on McKinley since 1992, when four Canadian climbers died.
On May 23, a Finnish man died after falling 2,000 feet while trying to ski down a steep McKinley chute known as the "Orient Express".
The first death of the 2012 McKinley climbing season was on May 18, when a German climber died in a 1,100 foot fall. He was trying to retrieve a backpack that was sliding downhill when he lost his footing and fell.
The climbing season in Denali generally runs from late April until early July. Usually 1,200 to 1,300 people attempt McKinley each year.
"Substantial snowfall and windy conditions in recent weeks have kept most climbers from reaching the top," the service said Saturday. "As of June 16, there are 395 mountaineers attempting routes on Mt. McKinley, the majority on the West Buttress route. Out of the 630 climbers that have already returned from expeditions this season, 234 reported reaching the summit, equating to a 37 percent summit rate."
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Of course, the taxpayers foot the bill each time there is a rescue effort for one of these thrill-seekers. I say if one is going to participate in activities like this, they do so at their own risk with the understanding that taxpayer money will not be used to fund a rescue effort should they get into trouble.
And the taxpayers foot the bill for the millions of American couch dwelling lard A's on Medicare when an artery in their heart or brain clogs.
Far more people die of "couch potato" than all adventure sports combined.
I yawn as I write this and could care less you are all gone. You chose to do something stupid and risk your life. You lost and game over. Now your self centeredness leaves family and friends grieving. Hopefully others will learn from this but I highly doubt it. Is it really worth your life?? Think about it with your ego shelved.......
"The climbing season in Denali generally runs from late April until early July. Usually 1,200 to 1,300 people attempt McKinley each year."
Next!
I believe they died doing what they loved doing.
So I assume you feel the same about the Coast Guard saving sailors, fisherman, cruisers etc. because they also chose to be out at sea.............or do you think it's ok for taxpayers to pay for that?
Why should the fire department put out a house fire and rescue the occupants....after all they chose to be there. (Sarcasm)
@gtouch:
No, I don't feel the same about the Coast Guard. They are part of our military and, as such, are a necessary entity. Rescuing distressed fisherman is far different than rescuing idiots that choose to do something as unecessary and dangerous as climbing a mountain.
@wants to know:
Your analogy is faulty. Dwelling in a house is generally a safe and necessary activity. Mountain climbing is neither.
And you are an ass.
I believe that anyone seeking to climb Mt McKinley has to post a bond to do it. Alaskans got tired of risking life, limb and money just to rescue thrill seekers. On Everest they just leave the bodies where they fall because it's too dangerous and costly to retrieve the bodies.
from edub-3853225
Each climber is responsible for the cost of his/her rescue. If it’s a medical emergency, your health insurance covers your rescue; in other all cases, a rescue insurance policy covers the cost. Even without either policy, the cost of a recue is only in the tens of thousands of dollars range, which most climbers can quite easily afford. However, even if the actual cost came out of taxes, the cost to the average taxpayer would be less than 2 cents.
It is wrong to condemn risky activities. Driving to the store is a high risk endeavor, and you can even be severely injured or killed taking a walk. These climbers did nothing wrong – an avalanche is unpredictable.
Each climber pays the cost of the Denali mountaineering permit from the NPS ($350), and the cost of a Denali park entrance fee ($10). These fees lower your taxes.
More power to these mountain climbers; I wish I could still do it. And all you whining little sissy babies bemoaning your taxes should be ashamed of yourselves. You could improve your lives significantly by taking up mountaineering, as it is far more rewarding than bitching and moaning about taxes.
Also, people that are in the military are usually the types that appreciate challenges and adventure and probably a large percentage of these mountain climbers are ex-military. Either way people that climb mountains are a great BENEFIT to this world, much more so than belly-aching about the infinitely small amount of tax payer dollars that may or may not be used to run a couple helicopters up the side of the mountain and feed a couple hundred volunteers.
Nah, just sit there complaining from your arm chair. Get a life.
JimmySD1;
Are your parents or Grand parents included in the "couch dwelling Lard A**s" description of older Americans? Who incidentally, PAID into the system 30 years or more to help cover their retirements. Only to have THEIR money stolen, starting with LBJ and continuing to this day, by the criminals in Washington. Why don't you find some facts and stop the propaganda spin regarding elderly Americans who earned their Social Security and Medicare benefits. What drives this hatred of the elderly? Perhaps you meant Medicaid? That is the taxpayer funded social program that pays the medical expenses of the obese, addicted, drunkards and mentally ill.
You'll be old soon enough. Since you show such disdain for the elderly now, lead by example and do the country a favor at the same time, don't allow yourself to get old.
Sounds like Jim and Wayne are a couple of little mountain-climbing butt buddies. Just because you like mountain climbing doesn't mean others do or should. Most mountain climbers are just rich narcissists looking for a thrill and trying to prove something. Climbing a mountain serves no purpose and if you expect me to believe that climbers pay their own rescue bill, you're a bigger fool than I thought.
Mountain climbers aren't anythign special and are no more or less benefit to this world than any other law-abiding, hard working citizen. Quit acting like mountain climbers are something special. They are little more than self-concerned egomaniacs with too much money and no concern for the lives of others who may have to come to their rescue for doing an utterly unecessary activity.
edub-3853225 - That's the spirit, guy! Always take a second, prior to going on a rant, about the 'cost' of something. In your last comment, you're a psychologist, too! You've heard of karma?
Blessings to the four Japanese climbers who have perished on Mt. Denali ('the Great One!')
edub -
Per National Park Service regulations and U.S. federal law, the costs of all wilderness rescues must be paid by the person being rescued. All mountaineers can purchase Rescue Insurance, and most do.
But why let facts stand in the way of your rant? Just raise your voice loudly to criticize things you know absolutely nothing about, and proudly display your ignorance for all to see.
I read yesterday about a park ranger falling to his death, saving one of these thrill seekers. I'm sorry but when you endanger others, just for $hits and giggles it's wrong . And you people defending this ,tell that to the Rangers Family and friends . Look at how many have died doing this over the years, and for what ? PRIDE and Personal glory . Edub you got it spot on : )
because viagra makes you manhood work once in a while, and you can boink a willing money grabbing something do not think you can do the same with mother nature; she aint no money grabbing whataver. Rich as$ wholes should understand they are not all mighty powerfull and old people belong in nursing homes. God rest their souls and hopefully the bill will be given to their loving families. (OMG, I will go to hell)
I'm not sure I get your drift. And I do mean drift. What a fuzzy wandering few sentences...Mora, focus, you can do it. Write a coherent comment for or against.
@ Mora:
How old are you? 12?
Don't make the mistake of equating age with physical condition!
Years ago, I was working for the Forest Service in the Siskiyou Mountains and when we had to get a search party to hunt for a lost "flatlander", one of the first to show up could out walk and out climb all of us kids. He would have to wait while we would be panting from climbing a steep trail. He was 84!
You couldn't keep up with me for one day as I repair big machinery using up to 3 inch sockets with a 1" square drive breaker bar. I do this 8 to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week ( I haven't had a day off in 2 months). I'm 72.
As a woman, I find your post offensive. I chose not to marry because men insist I work not only keeping up the house but also keeping them up as well. Now in my latter years I don't have to nurse an ailing old husband either. I can do as I please. You won't go to hell because there is no such place. I agree that their families should reimburse the rescue and recovery efforts as this was a deliberate choice they made to take such a risk. I am sorry they died and I respect their right to do dangerous things at any age, but I don't think taxpayers should pay to pick up their mess either.
I am neither rich, nor taking Viagra. I eat a lot of watermelon, though! lol
Anyway, I plan to climb a few mountains in my lifetime. And, if I die doing it, I'm sure I'll be one of the unluckiest - yet, happiest - men on earth.
Seriously, people don't climb mountains to prove that they are still virile. No, they climb them for the joy of it. People die in nursing homes because they are couch potatoes, not because they realize they are not "all-mighty-powerful".
You should think about this when you are in your twilight years. It is not a time to relax. It is time to squeeze every bit of joy - out of life - that remains.
I admire and applaud these people who challenged life to the end. May they rest in peace.
@louisiana lady:
You sound like a spoiled, self-entitled, jaded, angry woman. Do you think that men exist so that you can just sit around the house doing nothing or spending their hard earned money? A marriage is a 50/50 proposition, where both parties are expected to do their part, whether that means 9-5 work, keeping up the house, mowing the lawn, changing the oil in the cars.....whatever.
Do you really think you're so special that you shouldn't have to help keep up the household and take care of your husband just as he has the same responsibilities to you? Remember the part that says, ".....for better or worse, 'till death do us part"? Well, that means you might have to take care of your spouse one day, or he take care of you.
I guess you're just too selfish for that. It doesn't surprise me that a jaded woman like you isn't married. And, as far as there being no hell.....well, that's your opinion. Don't state it like it's fact. One thing is for sure though.....one day you'll find out.
First, while the mountain is still called Mt. McKinley, the park is Denali National Park and Preserve.
Second, according to NPS, the money spent in a single year on SAR ends up costing about 1.5 cents per park visitor. I think that is a good deal at twice the price. Almost all rescues in national parks do not involve climbing or climbers (in the area of 96% are non-climbers, even in climber-intensive parks like Yosemite and Mt. McKinley NPs...even fewer in other parks). Most SAR events are to find wayward hikers, find lost boaters, locate kids who wandered from picnic grounds, etc. Charge climbers...then charge parents or boaters whose equipment is not up to snuff.
On top of that, climbers do -- in fact -- pay vastly higher fees to use the parks than do non-climbers. At Denali, climbers pay $350 vs. $10 for non-climbers. And, yes, they have to pay the $10 fee, too! For that, they get no roads, no bus transportation, no flush toilets, no movies, no leaflets. But we see a heck of a lot more of the Parks than the road-bound Passport stampers do.
God's way of getting rid of Idiots looking for "Bragging Rights". I'll bet the friends and family are happy knowing they died doing what they loved to do eh?............ NOT!.............Pathetic posters here supporting these careless climbers.
I don't want to die with tubes in me with family around dragging out every last breath to the ultimate end. I want to to hit the grave at full speed, flaming out as I wind down the end of my life screaming WAHOO with the joy and exhilaration of an apex moment; I don't want to survive, I want to live until I die. These are seniors that got caught in an avalanche, this could have happened while driving through the mountains in a retirement RV, at least their lives were fulfilling to the end. I admire these folks and wish more could be like them.
I love mountain climbing. Its not careless, its amazing. Yeah, unfortunate accidents do happen, but they happen in all of life. And texting and driving, and drunken driving, and ladder accidents, and obescity/heart disease are all WAY MORE careless than mountain climbing. Only mountain climbing offers true reward. Its honest, it GIVES to life, it doesn't diminish it. Mountain climbers are looking for personal accomplishment, not "bragging rights". Yoomama, you are obviously NOT a mountain climber. So don't act like you know us.
What bill, @!$%#?
I am truly sorry they are gone.. But who is paying for all these rescues?? If it is the tax payer it needs to stop! Our National parks are broke and being sold to companies to "privatize". Yet we are paying to rescue rich people who choose to go there> ridiculous
Seems that most National Park tragedies of late are pre-reproductive age bible thumping church camp types that jump protective barriers and get swept over waterfalls.
Good to know that Darwinism still works whether people accept it or not.
@Seven2Seven-Yes, it is really worth it. It's called "living". It sure beats wasting away in a nursing home. It has nothing to do with ego, it has everything to do with courage, confidence and self reliance. Mountaineers in general are self sufficient, highly skilled, physically and mentally healthy individuals who "LIVE" life. What have you done? Are you interesting to speak to at a social gathering? Maybe you are just jealous because you wish you could grow a pair and get out of that stagnant rut. You realize that you are more likely to be killed traveling to and from your cubicle every day? Do your wife and children view you as a superhero? Mine do and I'd much rather die a hero in their eyes than some fat, lazy uninteresting 9-5er who can't wait until the weekend so you can mow your lawn and watch TV sports while living vicariously through others. If you live to be old ( I hope you do) what stories do you have for your grandchildren?
In addition, I'd just like to add that I am a Paramedic/Critical Care RN. The reason I state this, 727, is not because because of my "ego" , but because most of my time and "your money" is spent on treating/rescuing people like yourself, who, when you get into a situation that is out of your comfort zone, i.e., walking on uneven ground, etc. has no idea how to help yourself because it's just easier to dial 911. Keep spewing the venom...
Ironman--Your name says it all. It IS about ego and nothing else. Climb a mountain and then brag to friends and family about what a big man you are. I lived in Alaska for many years and commercial fished out of Dog Bay in Kodiak, it's tough work. I could climb a mountain if I wanted to, just never figured I had to prove myself to a big rock.
ironman2004 - GREAT post! How true that so many people never get out of the standard rut and challenge themselves- for no other reason than it's fun! These same people criticizing these climbers are the ones hailing football players as heroes. I'd bet there are a heck of a lot more football injuries than climbing accidents based on percentage. As a former skydiver I was astounded to hear that the single most dangerous sport based on the number of accidents and deaths per capita is scuba diving!
Mount McKinley is NOT Fujiyama...way different. Sorry folks.
These rescue teams train for things like this all the time, but unless they have actual hands on experience it does no good. These are the same people who helped in Katrina and at other natural destructions- what you want to send a bill to Mother Nature and God as well! My Cousins husband flies a Coast Guard plane and I am very proud of what he does, if you feel it's a waste you go fly one of those rescue flights and then we will see what you have to say
A natural disaster occurring where the people are not out thrill seeking is way different from mountain climbing. I admire the people who give up their time and train to save folks but I also think they deserve to be paid for their efforts. A natural disaster such as a storm or earthquake is covered by taxpayer money and rightly so. BTW natural disasters are not caused by supernatural entities so no reason to bring any gods into it.
But Louisiana Lady is'nt an avalanche a "natural disaster" too?
People choosing to live in a floodplain on a coast that gets hit multiple times a year by hurricanes are indeed taking unnecessary risks. You can't differentiate that from mountain climbers or backcountry skiers because people chose to live where they know full well the risks invovled.
Whine, whine, whine... All you people care about is who's paying for what. I could guess everyone's political affiliation that is complaining about the cost; it's always apparent which side has a hard-on for all things money. Money doesn't make the world go round unless you make it that way. These people died enjoying life and doing something they love, while the rest of you will die most likely b1tching and moaning about how much your funeral will cost.
Bless them for being able to do these things at their age and proving that age is only a number
All due respect but 4 of them died so they proved nothing. Secondly God is who decides and all I can say is I hope they were ready to go. One should not tempt God.
No BeeCee, I can't see where you can asset a supernatural magic man has anything to do with anything. Why do you insist on pretending to know things you can't possible show are factual. These folks took their own lives in their hands and knew the risks that natural causes could take them out and that's what happened. I think they were silly to waste all that time, money and energy doing something that was so risky when they could have used all that to help other people in their own community back home who are struggling to regain their lives. But these silly people decided to be selfish and now all but one doesn't exist. We pay the price for our actions on this earth and there's nothing after we are gone but what those we leave behind remember of us. That makes our time here important to make sure we do well by others and not just pleasure ourselves.
To Louisiana Lady on Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:25 PM EDT post. Who is this "supernatural magic man"? Assuming you believe in what you write, i.e, supernatural magic people. What is easier to believe in magic or in God? By the way, how do you prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that someone live 2000 yrs ago? Anyone, that died 2000 yrs ago and nothing was written or passed on from generation to generation would have existed and you would not know about it. SO, because you cannot find hard evidence that someone existed 2000 yrs ago you can conclude beyond the shadow of a doubt that person did not exist? At the most all you can say is that you do not know. What if many during all those 2000 yrs or more were trying hard to destroy all the hard evidence you need to be convinced? And what if it did not matter if they succeded in removing the hard evidence?
They would have bin better off going to the beach.
And you would have "bin" better off going to school, it would seem.
2little2soon,
It's akin to: "I is a kolledge gratchuate" ... LOL
Thanks for your humor :-)
Peace
Thankfully this won't be a problem in a hundred years when all the snow melts.
A hundred years...I don't think it will take that long...
I am with you guys....climbers and X-thrill-seekers beware. If you do it, you are on your own. Nobody should have to risk THEIR lives to save you idiots. And we sure as hell should not have to pay for the recovery.
And when you get diabetes because you are sedentary barbecue rib eating idiot nobody should be paying for your medical care.
That's a stupid comment, jimmy. One can get plenty of excercise without climbing a mountain and endangering their life and the lives of rescuers. It's called jogging or going to the gym.
Jimmy...........You go rescue them! You pay for them! Or shut the "F" up! Talk is cheap!
Right on.
We'll give you a hamster wheel. You wouldn't want to leave Oklahoma and find out that James Inhofe is an international joke.
Could you please point others to your incredible body photos?
Enjoy Oprah and the exercise.
If I was on the mountain with them I would do everything I could to help.
Look at the 50, 60, 70 year olds that you know in your life. These people lived a full life. Good on them.
If ignorance is bliss, I'm glad you're happy with your trailer.
Orient Express...(chuckle)
not close to being funny josephine. i will say a prayer for them-and you
Yes, how dare I not take on a somber persona on the all so serious internets : P
And thank you for the prayers, I effin love ya.
The outpouring of sympathy for the climbers and their families is so touching. Do some of you people never go farther than 10 feet from your computers for fun or adventure?
They live their life through the screen it seems
I agree with huskyhouse ... waiting on their welfare checks...
and looking to find either someone to sue or blame ........
I ventured 11 feet from mine this morning, thank you very much. Quick, somebody say a prayer for me.
What the hell are you going to do with OUR rescue teams, organized, funded, and payed for by the taxpayers if you don't let them rescue SOME ONE.
These teams thankfully exist. By the sound of some of you, you would bitch if they did nothing but collected a paycheck.
I was in awe of the ages of the climbers. Now, that kind of healthy living should be the headlines or commentary going forward from this unfortunate story.
But no, Tea Party, race to the bottom sentiment, is the first thing out of Pavlovian minds.
Shameful.
wtf does the tea party have to do with idiots who dare climb a mountain full of snow! you moron! stick it where the sun does not shine liberal pig
Mountain climbers usually plan and prepare very carefully to accomplish something important to them.
Nobody plans to be swept to their death by an avalanche, but some of the greatest mountaineers have been.
I'm sure that the fraction of a penny it cost each of you miserly crybabies for the search and rescue effort won't put you into foreclosure.
Brenda, You must be one of those Tea Party fools who would not have cared one bit about the 1500 people who died on the Titanic just the cost of the search and rescue effort. After all those stupid liberal pigs should have stayed in Europe. They had no business trying to cross the ocean for their own selfish reasons.
Go smoke your crack pipe fool! You make no sence.
I think Brenda and yooo just proved your point.
No doubt, the Madam of La will be close behind.
@edub
I know it is doubtful that you will ever go hiking in one of Americas National Parks but; if that should happen, I hope the weather doesn't change suddenly or that you don't step off the trail and get lost. If you did then we might have to spend some of that "tax payer" money to look for your sorry a$$.
BTW A lot of rescue groups rely on volunteer help whenever a search is needed. As an added note, places like the Denali National park charge a fee for every person that wants to climb McKinley, in an attempt to help defray costs.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/mount-mckinley-climbing-fees-hiked-cover-rescue-efforts
The negative people commenting on here only worry about what if the electricity goes out, what time the pizza is being delivered and making sure that the welfare checks are deposited when they should be.
Same people probably will be griping when the fire department saves the lives or home of their neighbors, and bitching about the cost. No sense of humanity, living or life.
A tragic loss of life, but at least they died doing something they loved. Having said that.....
The rescuers do this because they are somehow driven to do so. They are brave professionals.
But the costs of the rescue should not be footed by taxpayers. I admire those who live on the edge, but I (or anyone else not directly involved ) shouldn't have to pay when their "pushing the envelope" behavior bites back.
These thrill seekers should be forced to purchase insurance to cover possible rescue costs. No insurance, you still get rescued but then its big fines or law suit to recoup the recovery expenses.
da doc,
Maybe you should find out what you're talking about, so you won't make a fool of yourself.
I doubt that mountain climbers care whether their corpses are brought down or not. Do you think mt. everest climbers expect or want it? Rescuing is what these folks enjoy and getting paid for it, wow, what more could they ask. Heck, they'd do it for nothing.
That said, money spent on bringing them down, probably, doesn't do permanent damage, like assistance to the "needy" does. Adversity strengthens, assistance weakens, everyone in the medical or mental fields of science knows it.
I don't feel saddened by these kinds of stories. They were probably working on their "bucket list" and certainly old enough to know the risks involved.
Why would anyone that advanced in age try to climb a mountain like Mt. McKinley??? Leave the climbing to younger people!!!
Don't make this about age. The same avalanche would have taken them if the climbers had been younger. The survivor was the oldest of the group. He, at 69 years of age, fell down a 60 foot cravasse yet still had the ability to climb out on his own and hike back to base camp alone. Sounds fit to me.
If God had meant for me to climb mountains, he would have made me a mountain goat!!!
There is no god, and that's why you are a couch potato!
jjpk
HaHaHaHaHaHa....
BLESS them for leaving this earth doing what they loved !
R.I.P.
TOO many judgmental comments here on this site !
eliza, you pay the bill for their foolishness. i do not think it is my responsibility to pay for their irresponsibility.
nono, you're right. These 4 jerks should have just fell down in a tub or whatever older folks do to off themselves.
Whether or not our planned actions for the day may cost other tax payers money should be the very first question we ask ourselves each morning. I was going to go out on the river in the canoe today but because I may tip over and drown I changed my mind.. I sure don't want others to have to pay to find my dead body. Sucks too because that would have been fun if I didn't drown.
I'm fine with folks doing the things they want to do, even if it sounds foolish to me. I struggle with endangering the lives of the rescuers when things go bad. This is the part I feel cynical about.
The loss of life is tragic, for the victims and, gladly not in this case, any rescuers. However, my brother is part of a volunteer mountain rescue team-- he know the danger, but has reaped the rewards of several successful rescues. Personally, I think he is out of his mind, but he wouldn't give it up for the world. BTW, he is 52 years old.
And I know people who do this as well, I think it's admirable, but shouldn't be depended upon. Kudos to your brother...
Personally I believe these climbers were not prepared for the wrath of Denali. Very difficult, dangerous climb for even the best of climbers. To those sitting in front of your computer ripping the sport- don't knock it til you try it. There is something to be said for dangerous climbs, and contemplating death on a mountain carries over to everyday life, makes you feel more alive. I have much respect for these mountaineers, the most extreme sport ever...and I believe you do get to kind of pick how you want to die. Maybe you will die right there where you sit at the computer choking on a dorrito. Me?...rather be in an avalanche.
They were on their way down after already reaching the top
And sadly these folks join the rest of the foolish on this frozen monument!
Chukkal - at the very least they died with their boots on; two women and two men. What will your greatest accomplishment be before you perish?
And, for those grumbling about the 'cost', particularly referring to: dan-282760 - "I believe that anyone seeking to climb Mt McKinley has to post a bond to do it. Alaskans got tired of risking life, limb and money just to rescue thrill seekers..." 'Dan' as a former long-time Alaskan, your comments are totally contrary to how Alaskan's think and operate. Alaskan's will always assist anyone who is in peril before they think about 'cost.'
Two men and two women perished and will rest on Mt. Denali forever. And, yes, emergency rescue crews will assist the one 69 yr old survivor, as well they should. This is Alaska news as Mt. Denali is the 'high one' and the 'great one.'
I believe everyone should be able to do what they love in life as long as it doesn't hurt or endanger others. If you are an adrenalin junkie beware ... sometimes you are the windshield and sometimes you are the bug.
Sonya
Thanks, I couldn't have said it as well myself.
BTW: To the people who think that mountaineering is just thrill seeking (a.k.a. adrenailn junkeys), you don't know what you're talking about and I doubt you could understand.
+ + + +
Send the rescue attempt bill to the estates to pay. it is not the tax payers responsibility to pay for these adrenalin junkies to get their thrils.
Yea! These rich tax payers should be sitting around getting fat and dying from that instead. Then whine about how they can't afford insurance to pay for their self-induced heart attack.
nono, now I'm just sitting here at the computer typing and smoking. This is soooo much more fun than risking a tax funded rescue on the river.. I want to thank you for making me think about taking stupid risks like that. Dad was going golfing today, wonder if I should tell him to stop because he may get a ball upside his head and need to be "rescued" by someone, he is 73 and all. My brother who was going to take him has a wicked slice. Knowing Dad he might even run over himself with the cart.