?? To what do you refer, kind sir?

dBud: Sorry, the answer you seek is here.

I live in Florida so I don't really get the whole mountain climbing thing (we don't have any) or snowy wintery weather (don't have that either). But what I really don't get is mountain climbing in the wintery weather. Shouldn't that be a summer activity?

There does seem to be a rash of white folks getting lost on some mountain this winter. It is a bit like thinning the herd. No?

In any event....it is not national news....

What drives me crazy is that people risk their lives to rescue these idiots.

Duh. Sorry - I prolly read this before the coffe kicked in; didn't see the link.

Sounds like the dog is the hero. Yay.

So, let me get this straight. The public pays for the rescue services for people who were stupid enough to climb a mountain in a blizzard, and then they get a TV and book deal? Hm...

Yep, it costs thousands of Oregon state taxpayer dollars to do rescue missions. While it sounds like these particular climbers were somewhat well-prepared, a lot of endangered climbers aren't. Many seem to think they'll be OK with some warm fleece, a cell phone, and a liter of water. The funding of rescue missions is a constant debate in Oregon media and government.

Ok, Andrew, there are no tax dollars at stake here. The rescurers are what we like to call "volunteers" here on the West Coast. Meaning....they don't get paid for what they do.

And really the major problem is that the weather can change drastically at the drop of a hat here. It has even snowed on Mt. Hood in June!

And Dbud, what do you think snow caves are for anyway, if not to cuddle with men! Geez! I know a couple of bears who regularly head up the mountain to build and spend time in snow caves. LOL

I think it's not very smart to climb mountains...or sky dive...or swim with sting rays...or hang out with britney spears.

OK, TonkaManOR, I have to defend my husband, Andrew's post. While many of the rescuers volunteer and may not be compensated for their time, there is a cost to the County and to the military for helicopter pilots, fuel, and maintenance in large rescues such as the three climbers on Mount Hood in December. Of course this may have all been offset by the additional tax money collected from the media vultures camping out for days on end.

I bet I thought this post was about me, about me.

Jim,

I'm sorry I wasn't personally trying to attack Andrew, I reserve that for Jimbo. Yes, tax dollars are spent for rescues, but not just in Oregon. But like I have argued on other blogs, if the people of Oregon have a problem with it, then they will neact change. But one of the nice things bout living here is 'the live and let live' attitude of the people here. I'm on the mountain almost every weekend in the Winter. Granted when the weather looks bad, I do change my plans and find something else to do. But do we really need to regulate what people do for adventure? I guess I will have to post something on my blog about this...

I still don't understand why this is National News.

Really, it's not like we're wasting tax dollars building a new sports stadium in our city.

I could care less if they climb the mountains and get lost. Just don't take your frickin' dog with you. Why should he/she suffer b/c you're an idiot?