The Grand Delusion

[Snowbird11]

http://explore-mag.com/2831/adventure/the-grand-delusion

This is a short, well written article about risk and death in the mountains. It also addresses why we still do what we do in them.

 

[backcountryislife]

Will is friends with a few of my good friends... and I'd guess a few of the ones that got me to back off are part of what he's talking about.

I used to push pretty hard kayaking... and I lost a good number of friends, in a SHORT period of time. One of those kayak buddies was lost to paragliding as well.

I doubt everyone here lives at the same level that will does or has, and I can say that sledding is MUCH safer even in avalanche terrain than kayaking at the level he's at... which is like being in a slide all the time.

I don't think there is as much delusion in our sport amongst those of us pushing, we see the reminders every day on the mountain. On a river, it's a blind guess. I've had friends die in places we paddle on a regular basis.... it's really scary.

This was sat, not much question about what this would do to you if you were in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

 

[WaBackcountry]

Three skiers, two of which were friends of mine were killed last weekend in an avalanche skiing a chute at Stevens Pass they had all skied before. All had beacons, all were very experienced and were taking all the standard safety precautions. A small slide turned into a monster and swept four of them from the safety of the trees at the edge of the chute. Of the four that were swept away only one survived (she was wearing an airbag). One friend happen to be farther into the trees and watched as his partners were swept away. Another bear hugged a tree and managed to stay out of the chute.

The three that were buried were found fairly quickly and given CPR but they were not able to bring them back. John was a husband and father of two young girls. All three would give you the shirt off his back. Kind and always fun to be around.

For many of us we absolutely have to push ourselves and take it to the next level. It is such a struggle to balance that need for adventure, that need to push ourselves with the reality that our wife and our children, are patiently waiting at home, waiting for Daddy to stroll through that door, exhausted, spent, but full of love and exhilaration. I just pray that we can keep that balance, that we can fuel our desire and passion for adventure but at the end the day share that joy with our loved ones.

Cheers

 

[Kordero]

I'm with ya WaBC. I went thru the same thoughts last march when Zim was taken up the icicle. I didn't know Johnny but hearing he left 2 young daughters at home is killing me. With young children of my own at home it is high on my mind to make it home safely because seeing my childrens smiling faces is pure bliss.

 

[chumbilly1]

Lots of thinking this week

I have to agree with everyone that getting home at the end of any sporting adventure is what it is all about! Although I am a carpenter by trade not a phsycologist, I have for years, wondered how our adreneline fueled culture can be healthy. Over the years me and mine have engaged in such activities as skiing, snowmobiling, offroad motorcycle racing and freestyle ramp jumping. All of these sports, or all of my friends seem to have the same "learning curve" if you will. Riders start out slow, yet excited. This progresses through athletisism and adreniline addiction to a more solid skill set and riders start to push harder. This is when the serious injuries start. Groups of riders seem to fuel themselves through competition. Unfortunately there will always be one who is less lucky than others or makes a poor decision at a critical time. The injuries typically cut the numbers of the group due to obvious discomfort, financial distress, and all too common prescription drug problems stemming from long term injuries. What you are left with is a core group of riders who are fully aware of the risks and juggle the delicate balance. This is where we remain until something tragic, or magic(like having children) happens and forces us to think. It is, at least for me, a very hard situation to come to grips with. The buzz from sports like these is so intense that it overwhelmes emotions and overshadows what should be great memories. I believe in my case that the adreneline fueled lifestyle is a very addictive drug, if you will. No sport I have played puts this in your face like mtn. snowmobiling. Any realistic rider who likes to push it knows that when the riding is at its best, the avy danger is at its highest.. So in the meantime we will check the batteries in our beacons, check the charge on our co2 bottles for our avy packs, surround ourselves with competant people, and either prey or throw caution to the wind depending on personality type. It is at times of great loss, like now, that it is really put in our faces. I personally will continue this internal strife for I have not yet learned the balance. Tonight I will be skiing a memorial run for fallen friends, and in the morning there will be 36" + of new in the cascades in the last 48, and I know I will be calling the conditions hotline before the sun comes up dreaming of freshies. I dont know when but in the words of the great Hank Williams" no matter how hard you try, you will never get out of this life alive!" I wish the best to everyone no matter how you get your kicks.