Lessons learned from the Oregon tragedy

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

Yes, all are things that should have been done. However, I still am not
convinced that the blanket advice to stay with the vehicle is correct.
With proper clothing (not tennis shoes), I can easily walk 10 miles a day
in pretty rough terrain

The mother should be heralded for her heroism by feeding the children even
though she was probably starved herself. Mr. Kim was likely already
physiologically compromised; if Mrs. Kim was taking care of the children, he
was probably the one removing the tires and working outside. If so, he may
have been close to physical exhaustion and hypothermia when he made the
decision to walk, and again when he left the road.

Meanwhile, at this very moment, there are search and rescue people trying to
evacuate climbers from MT. HOOD IN FREAKIN' DECEMBER.

One of the roads to the mountain just reopened having been washed out by the
winter storms, and the wind coming out of the east has been such that I
haven't even bothered trying to fly on the sunny days...too damned windy to
practice those power-off precision landings. One can only wonder about
-those- hikers. "Worst string of weather we've had in over a year; most
turbulent, cold and deadly winter conditions. I know...let's CLIMB A
MOUNTAIN. If we get hurt, why, somebody will surely risk their asses to
come bail us out. Their families will be -so- excited if those helicopter
crews come home alive..."

-c

gatt writes:

The mother should be heralded for her heroism by feeding the children even
though she was probably starved herself.

Nobody was anywhere close to starvation after only a week.
Dehydration is the only risk over such a short period, and if they
could melt snow, that was taken care of.

Mr. Kim was likely already physiologically compromised ...

Not by any lack of food.

... if Mrs. Kim was taking care of the children, he
was probably the one removing the tires and working outside.

The children don't require continuous attention.

If so, he may have been close to physical exhaustion and hypothermia
when he made the decision to walk, and again when he left the road.

I doubt that. He probably simply decided after a week that there were
no search crews looking, or that there was no way of knowing when they
would find them, so in desperation he decided to go outside and look
for help. The decision was not unreasonable; he was just unlucky.
There was a lot working against him, but once they were stuck that
couldn't be changed.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

The mother should be heralded for her heroism by feeding the children
even
though she was probably starved herself.

Nobody was anywhere close to starvation after only a week.
Dehydration is the only risk over such a short period, and if they
could melt snow, that was taken care of.

Mr. Kim was likely already physiologically compromised ...

Not by any lack of food.

... if Mrs. Kim was taking care of the children, he
was probably the one removing the tires and working outside.

The children don't require continuous attention.

If so, he may have been close to physical exhaustion and hypothermia
when he made the decision to walk, and again when he left the road.

I doubt that. He probably simply decided after a week that there were
no search crews looking, or that there was no way of knowing when they
would find them, so in desperation he decided to go outside and look
for help. The decision was not unreasonable; he was just unlucky.
There was a lot working against him, but once they were stuck that
couldn't be changed.

--
Move your sim, and a large fan, into the nearest freezer. It you give you a
new perspective!

Peter

Meanwhile, at this very moment, there are search and rescue people trying
to
evacuate climbers from MT. HOOD IN FREAKIN' DECEMBER.

One of the roads to the mountain just reopened having been washed out by
the
winter storms, and the wind coming out of the east has been such that I
haven't even bothered trying to fly on the sunny days...too damned windy
to
practice those power-off precision landings. One can only wonder about
-those- hikers. "Worst string of weather we've had in over a year; most
turbulent, cold and deadly winter conditions. I know...let's CLIMB A
MOUNTAIN. If we get hurt, why, somebody will surely risk their asses to
come bail us out. Their families will be -so- excited if those helicopter
crews come home alive..."

This has been a major irritant to me for a long time, and I suspect that
dramatic rescues as 'reality tv" may help to fuel the problem. However, it
all comes back to policy decisions...

Peter
Annoyance keeps me alive and healthy;
my blood pressure doesn't ebb away!