Two articles this week, New York Times: Extreme Grief and Adventure-Journal.com: In Defense of Taking Risks, have stirred up a lot of conversations in mountain towns from New Hampshire to Oregon. We all know the risks involved with skiing and many of us know more than a few friends or acquaintances who have lost their lives in the mountains. But is it worth it?
Here are two very different takes on the risks/reward of Extreme Skiing.
LINK: New York Times: Extreme Grief
LINK: Adventure-Journal.com: In Defense of Taking Risks
I think this portion of the second article just about sums the first one up:
“The New York Times has just published a story entitled “Extreme Grief,” which purports to examine the hazards of adventurous sports like skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry skiing in particular. In fact, it is reporting at its worst, a random collection of anecdotes in support of a spurious assumption, with seemingly no real understanding of the true issues at hand.”
I have spent most of my life pursuing adventures and I cannot imagine a life without it.
Casimiro 1. New York Times 0.
Next question.
To each his own, done.
I have a problem with this quote from the parents, “We know that our son Nick’s death could have been prevented had there been stricter guidelines imposed.” Their child was an adult and knew the risks involved with heil-skiing.
We do not need to regulate this industry, because I have only met one law that an avalanche strictly follows… GRAVITY!!!
agreed
How many times have you signed a waiver and not read the fine print?
I think these scenarios are very different. They are calculated risks. No one caused harm to someone else (i.e. drunk driving). We all head to the mountains because it brings us great joy. We know there are risks. We all have the choice to not head out on adventures. However, to me at least, not living is not worth it.
Both pieces make some incredibly valid points worth considering. Burke and Pearce were injured in a sport which is physically demanding, and unforgiving to even the smallest of mistakes, but one which takes place in an incredibly controlled and predictable environment. Accidents do happen. Getting slid in a couloir named “Apocalypse”, which is off-shoot of “Death Canyon” is however a wholly different proposition. There is nothing predictable about the condition, nothing surprising about being killed trying to “ski” it, and nothing particularly admirable about being lucky enough to survive an outing there. What is sad, and brought to focus in both of these pieces, is that a certain selfish resonance exists among a large class of skiers who believe that they can somehow, better than all who went before them, control the odds. If I told you that I never felt more “full” than when I dominated the craps table at Ceasars; that I was willing to bet the future happiness and prosperity of my family on my need to feel the rush of winning at the Black Jack table, all because I knew I understood the odds better than most and winning in that venue gave my life meaning beyond all others, would you print a glossy photo magazine dedicated to my exploits and call it Gamblist; or just conclude I was reckless junkie?
Well written but miss the point. Black jack is played with dice, whether you’ve thrown them a million times or this is your first time touching them the odds of getting 7 is the same, they call gambling ” a game of chance ” because ONLY chance determines the outcome. Sport however is different. An experienced skier has a statistically better chance of surviving (lets say) their 1000th back country trip than an inexperienced skier who has not read the terrain, conditions, etc as accurately on their 1st trip. Now clearly this may mean they over estimate their abilities or fear does not counter act their desire to get some fresh and that can offset knowledge. But its not like russian roulette. If you think your children will be well served by a parent who doesn’t teach them that some risks are worth taking, and even necessary, then get them a Wii and lock them in the basement. Obesity and depression are riskier than skiing.
Please, just let the man rest!
All of this regulation talk has Rob uneasy in his grave. His adult life was fully about being in the mountains, the amazing lifestyle that comes with that and accepting responsibility for what happens out there. He paid the ultimate price for that responsibility.
March 13th will forever be “Outlaw Day” for me and my friends.
I just wrote 5 zillion words condemning this NYT article, but its all littered with distaste and a fair amount of anger, so I’ll just boil it down to the simple truth.
Rob Outlaw Liberman was THE man to ski the backcountry with, in every regard. There isn’t a soul on a pair of skis that would take Rob out of their group in the backcountry. 20 years in the San Juan backcountry? Thats not luck.
Wait, 9 years. Just shows how I perceived his presence.
“We know that our son Nick’s death could have been prevented had there been stricter guidelines imposed.”
This is nonsense – you can’t impose guidelines nor make them stricter. No time to read any article with such ambiguities.
The Second article is spot on and couldn’t have written a better article. The New York Times is so far up there gaper asses its crazy!
You guys are so hard.