[steel_resolve]

I climbed rainier 2 years ago in bad wind conditions. The guide company, RMI, almost turned us around. That being said, I don’t understand the sneering contempt on this thread. It was one of the most awesome things I have ever done. Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident.

[llevrok]

Tragic accident.

Agreed. It was an accident. Happens daily in many sports. I have a friend who has been hit 3 times by stray golf balls in that genteel of sports.

Or we could all just sit in our Lazy Boys and b&tch all day.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident."

I was perhaps the one who expressed the most contempt. There are empty calories, and there is empty courage - courage that accomplishes nothing. I used to buy into the macho mountain climbing ethic, but no more. I do not worship egos. If someone dies mountain climbing, too bad, but I have no reason to regard their death as any more important than the death of an average person in a retirement home. Mountain climbers are NOT heroes.

[Finny]

Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident.

*swack*

Thanks! I needed that!

You're right.

[ansel12]

Men love doing dangerous things and challenging themselves, it’s exciting and invigorating.

Thank God there are enough of the risk lovers to fill our more high speed military units.

[riverrunner]

So true there are risks in very thing one does. It is starting to sound like a bunch of liberals here.

Sit home drink your coffee and beer do nothing it is a bit safer.

I am going out and enjoy life doing things I find enjoyable.

If I die doing one of those things well no one leaves this life alive.

[Rebelbase]

“Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident.”

No kidding. It’s stupider and more dangerous to live in many urban cities than it is to climb Mt. Ranier.

[Drew68]

Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident.

I agree, though it saddens me when I read about dead climbers leaving wives and children behind.

Sorry, but when a family comes along, it's time to give up mountaineering. Leave it for those young, single guys with everything to prove and nothing to lose.

Don't know if that's the case here or not.