I'm rather flummoxed by the notion of various narcissistic adventurers that if their butts get in trouble while they are climbing some mountain that doesn't cry out for their climbing it, others will risk their lives to find said adventurers.
Latest example: A group that decided to climb the 11,239-foot Mount Hood in Oregon. Three fell off a cliff, along with their dog, Velvet, a 4-year-old Labrador mix.
This from the Associated Press after an arduous, but ultimately successful, attempt to rescue them:
"The rescuers credited the group's rescue to two things — one low-tech and one high-tech: Velvet, who offered warmth as the three climbers huddled overnight, and the activation of a radio transmitter the size of a sunglasses case that helped rescuers to the group."
And this:
"Velvet, owned by [one of the three, Matty] Bryant, had minor cuts and abrasions on her back feet and legs caused by prolonged exposure to the snow. She was cleared to go home.
"'The dog probably saved their lives' by lying across them during the cold night, said Erik Brom, a member of the Portland Mountain Rescue team."
Are we obligated to indulge the hubris of men and women who choose to tackle mountains just because they are there? What about the humans and, in this case, dogs, who risk their lives to save them from themselves?
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2 comments:
I remember something similar being briefly debated on the 'Roundtable.
I'm torn.
I think I remember someONE, someWHERE, saying that some of these rescued folks get charged for the time and resources expended for their rescue and/or rehabilitation.
That sounds somewhat distasteful, but I agree that there needs to be a bit more balance in this situation. Telling people that, in addition to frost-bite, they'll have to contend with fees, animal-endangerment charges (just sayin'), etc., might result in people using better judgment.
That said, I wouldn't want to completely squash the exploratory/adventuring spirit that drives some to "go where no one has gone before."
You're so right. That's why I'm also conflicted. In a different vein, so to speak, a bunch of young hotshots overdosed at a wild party on Fire Island a few years ago and had to be taken off the island via helicopter for emergency care on the mainland. Guess who had to cover the costs of the helicopter service? We, the people, who live there and were probably in our beds asleep while these hotshots were partying.
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