[at-l] On "What a dumb thing to do"

[shellydhale at earthlink.net (Shelly Hale)]

Not particularly a Colts fan, but my sympathies go out to Peyton.  ;-)

Back to the story on Kenneth Holmes...I have to agree that 'tragic fatal
mistake' is very apropos here.  I know that his friends are probably gonna
beat themselves up over this on for some time to come.  Cudda, wudda,
shudda's can wreak havoc after a friend is gone. (I am not by any means
blaming his friends here.  But, if things could have been different...)

Guess that this is a lesson that we all should learn.  Even if our friends
are most knowledgable or experienced when it comes to the great outdoors, we
should still question them in certain situations.  They will thank us for it
later.  It's not a matter of questioning their abilities, skills, knowledge,
or to hurt their pride, but it's to show them that we love & care for them.

Don't let him die in vain.  Help a fellow hiker.  Ask.  Discuss.  Argue.
(Do the last with a smile on your face & a hug in your arms.)

Shelly Hale
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Martin Fors" <the_rev_mrf@kingcon.com>
To: "ATL" <AT-L@backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 12:22 AM
Subject: [at-l] On "What a dumb thing to do"


> First of all, my condolences to a certain number of you who are COLTS
fans.
> You are in mourning.
>
> Now, I've heard the 'What a dumb thing to do" comment regarding attempting
a
> thru-hike and running a marathon.  Likely you have too.  It's all
relative.
> Some men and women like the challege of endurance and dangerous
activities,
> right?  As an old ski racer [downhill,] we raced always at the edge of our
> abilities where one minor mistake could cause serious injury or death.
> Apply the same to your thru-hiking experience.  Certainly there were many
> places/times and circumstances on the way where someone could say "What a
> dumb thing to do" if you had injured yourself.  Indeed, you might have had
> that thought about yourself!  :-]
>
> Sadly, in this case, a physically well tuned, experienced individual with
> proper equipment got caught in the vortex of hyperthermia with no one
around
> to observe and help.  Hyperthermia is insidious in its creeping takover of
> an individual's ability to function logically and safely.  Hiking alone in
> such minimal conditions is always very risky and, in this case, a tragic
> mistake.  Given that, many, many individuals have hiked and/or are
> moderately active at 100 below wind chill temperatures.  For the Inuit,
it's
> the norm for this time of the year.
>
> I think to use the term 'dumb' is unfortunate and dishonors the Ranger who
> died.  For me, the term 'tragic fatal mistake' would seem to be more
> accurate.  rusty
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