GrantsPassed

Well then, climbing panther, all's forgiven for the rude remark you made to me, then failed to retract when you realized you were wrong.

Thanks for elaborating, Lyn. I'm sure THAT ordeal made them better climbers. How long ago was that?? Physical skills being what they are as we age, I only hope it gives others in his age group pause before testing their limits with so much at stake.

I only hope the other 2 can miraculously be brought home alive to explain ... as for my "assumptions" (or more accurately, my observations) being "uncalled for", nothing I mentioned should be construed as being unforgivable on the part of Mr. James. He sought his "rush" (as so many climbers call it) and overstepped his margin for error due to the factors already mentioned. I'm sure his family's love for him will never diminish, though it may be hard for some to understand the priorities one places on the need for adventure vs. the responsibility to family.

Poor assumption, Climbing Panther.

Good observation about locked-airfares, etc. ... perhaps it's easy to get lulled into a sense of complacency if one hasn't had any previous close calls while climbing. Like any drug, adrenaline requires a continual increase in dosage to achieve the high. A fit 48-year-old probably is fighting midlife crisis as well, which only clouds his judgement further. 2 snowcaves ... we'll never know why.

If we can return to the matter at hand, if just for a moment: It appears that CNN was afraid to say what some of are thinking: A false sense of security apparently embraced these poor 3, based on previously successful climbs. The weather they encountered was accurately forecast and they dawdled at the warming hut too long to allow themselves any margin for error. Hope, fitness, strength, experience, etc. can be overcome by poor judgement and the adrenalin rush of tempting fate. May others learn from their misfortune.