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[Rog]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-21101217

This may seem a bit insensitive, but it seems to me that deaths in this area in snow or other poor conditions happen quite frequently, almost annually.

Why do people do it ? Is it stupidity, or bravado, or over confidence ?

The equation is easy    Mountain + Snow = Significant Danger

[Gaffers]

I take it you have never done any mountain climbing or snow training then?

No more dangerous than any other sport, but you do need to be prepared and properly trained as well as having the correct kit.  I believe that these guys had it all, they had experience, they were just unlucky.  Accidents do happen.

I am mountain leader trained and love taking groups up mountains or walks or scrambles up dry waterfalls (in summer).  Helmets, ropes, harnesses, warm gear, wet gear, first aid kit, rations, water, map, gps , compass, plb and airhorn are all part of my standard kit.  The sense of achievement people get out of it is fantastic.

[feeutfo]

Going buy the film TT about the Isle of Man races, they do it because of the danger, as opposed to in spite of it.

Risk takers, thrill seakers, explorers, whatever. If it wasn't for these mentalities we'd still be hunter gatherers looking for berries, probably. We all take risks. The only question is how big a risk. They gambled, same as they did a hundred times before I guess.

We're not exactly an endangered species after all.

[cem_devecioglu]

I'm sure no one really knows how many died when climbing mountains.. as some of them was never found..
 
hats of to those who have courage to fight with nature.. but when you make even a small mistake, you pay with your life..

[geoffr70]

I'm all for calculated risk taking and having fun, extreme stuff etc, but to a degree. All the training, equipment and preparedness in the world won't stop a few thousand tonnes of snow falling on your head. It's sad that they died but selfish (rescuers to get them, or body recovery, and poor family).

[Gaffers]

I'm all for calculated risk taking and having fun, extreme stuff etc, but to a degree. All the training, equipment and preparedness in the world won't stop a few thousand tonnes of snow falling on your head. It's sad that they died but selfish (rescuers to get them, or body recovery, and poor family).

You can say that about any recreational past-time.  I am sure they didn't go out to deliberately perish, or put themselves at unecessary risk.  Avalaches are unpredictable in their nature.  Are you saying they went up there knowing it was going to break and fall on to them? 

Are helicopter pilots selfish for flying over London just because one crashed and sadly caused a number of deaths and injuries?  They could go around, or they could just not fly all-together. 

Aer we that risk averse as a nation?  If so let me the f%#k out of here sharpish! 

[geoffr70]

No I'm not saying they went up there knowing the snow was going to fall on them, I'm not telepathic, shy speculate? In this case the risk (high) and the potential harm (high), made it wrong for them to go up there. If it only affected them fine, but it doesn't. You might as well

[geoffr70]

play Russian roulette, in this instance, they lost.

I'm not saying we're risk averse as a nation. How would you come to that conclusion that from one statement I made about one event? Like I said, calculated risk, not stupidly ignoring the dangers.

[cleggy]

I take it you have never done any mountain climbing or snow training then?

No more dangerous than any other sport, but you do need to be prepared and properly trained as well as having the correct kit.  I believe that these guys had it all, they had experience, they were just unlucky.  Accidents do happen.
I am mountain leader trained and love taking groups up mountains or walks or scrambles up dry waterfalls (in summer).  Helmets, ropes, harnesses, warm gear, wet gear, first aid kit, rations, water, map, gps , compass, plb and airhorn are all part of my standard kit.  The sense of achievement people get out of it is fantastic.

I think that this explains it quite succinctly.
People do all sorts of thing for enjoyment and fair play to them, if they wish to risk life and limb then it is up to them. My neighbour is totally mad, he and friends go Wild Camping in Derbyshire but only in really extreme weather conditions and expects me to look after his cat

What does get my goat is those who are totally unprepared for any activity and then put others at risk when they get into difficulty
It this case it appears to be a tragic accident that no one could predict or avoid, at least they perished doing something they enjoyed.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I'm all for calculated risk taking and having fun, extreme stuff etc, but to a degree. All the training, equipment and preparedness in the world won't stop a few thousand tonnes of snow falling on your head. It's sad that they died but selfish (rescuers to get them, or body recovery, and poor family).

You can say that about any recreational past-time.  I am sure they didn't go out to deliberately perish, or put themselves at unecessary risk.  Avalaches are unpredictable in their nature.  Are you saying they went up there knowing it was going to break and fall on to them? 

Are helicopter pilots selfish for flying over London just because one crashed and sadly caused a number of deaths and injuries?  They could go around, or they could just not fly all-together. 

Aer we that risk averse as a nation?  If so let me the f%#k out of here sharpish! 

All very true, including your first posting Guffer. !

Life is a risk.   Driving is a risk.  Walking on pavements is a risk.  Going downstairs is a risk.  When we are first conceived and born is a risk.  Giving birth is a risk.  etc,etc,etc,etc; everything we do is a risk.  But that is living, and "dangerous" sports is really living and tasting life to the full!

I have taken huge risks in my life and lived, and I would do it all again to enjoy life as I do not want to die thinking "what have I achieved?"  We are all going to die sometime, and fate / God will decide when, so go for it in the meantime!!

[cem_devecioglu]

I dont believe in calculated risk.. murphy rules says shit happens always..

[cem_devecioglu]

I'm all for calculated risk taking and having fun, extreme stuff etc, but to a degree. All the training, equipment and preparedness in the world won't stop a few thousand tonnes of snow falling on your head. It's sad that they died but selfish (rescuers to get them, or body recovery, and poor family).

You can say that about any recreational past-time.  I am sure they didn't go out to deliberately perish, or put themselves at unecessary risk.  Avalaches are unpredictable in their nature.  Are you saying they went up there knowing it was going to break and fall on to them? 

Are helicopter pilots selfish for flying over London just because one crashed and sadly caused a number of deaths and injuries?  They could go around, or they could just not fly all-together. 

Aer we that risk averse as a nation?  If so let me the f%#k out of here sharpish! 

All very true, including your first posting Guffer. !

Life is a risk.   Driving is a risk.  Walking on pavements is a risk.  Going downstairs is a risk.  When we are first conceived and born is a risk.  Giving birth is a risk.  etc,etc,etc,etc; everything we do is a risk.  But that is living, and "dangerous" sports is really living and tasting life to the full!

I have taken huge risks in my life and lived, and I would do it all again to enjoy life as I do not want to die thinking "what have I achieved?"  We are all going to die sometime, and fate / God will decide when, so go for it in the meantime!!

 
thats correct Lizzie.. But what happens when you decide to play Russian roulette with 6 holes full of bullets

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I'm all for calculated risk taking and having fun, extreme stuff etc, but to a degree. All the training, equipment and preparedness in the world won't stop a few thousand tonnes of snow falling on your head. It's sad that they died but selfish (rescuers to get them, or body recovery, and poor family).

You can say that about any recreational past-time.  I am sure they didn't go out to deliberately perish, or put themselves at unecessary risk.  Avalaches are unpredictable in their nature.  Are you saying they went up there knowing it was going to break and fall on to them? 

Are helicopter pilots selfish for flying over London just because one crashed and sadly caused a number of deaths and injuries?  They could go around, or they could just not fly all-together. 

Aer we that risk averse as a nation?  If so let me the f%#k out of here sharpish! 

All very true, including your first posting Guffer. !

Life is a risk.   Driving is a risk.  Walking on pavements is a risk.  Going downstairs is a risk.  When we are first conceived and born is a risk.  Giving birth is a risk.  etc,etc,etc,etc; everything we do is a risk.  But that is living, and "dangerous" sports is really living and tasting life to the full!

I have taken huge risks in my life and lived, and I would do it all again to enjoy life as I do not want to die thinking "what have I achieved?"  We are all going to die sometime, and fate / God will decide when, so go for it in the meantime!!

 
thats correct Lizzie.. But what happens when you decide to play Russian roulette with 6 holes full of bullets

    Well you die, but at least you have played!

[geoffr70]

Well, if you go up a mountain in bad weather, with an avalanche warning, you're bloody stupid, they should have expected it. Fools

[Kevin Wood]

Well, if you go up a mountain in bad weather, with an avalanche warning, you're bloody stupid, they should have expected it. Fools

..and if mankind never had people who are prepared to take calculated risks we'd never have come down from living in the trees.