PJ -

Thanks for citing; had completely missed it!

Doesn't look like the "Stumpy" I remember meeting... but that was long ago, in my pre-pink flamingo days.  He could have filled out some & put on weight.  Also, I remember his hair being redder.

Frankly, I'm surprised this gentleman has gotten as far as he has without encountering any major issues.  I suspect the greater challenges may be yet to come.  I wouldn't want to swim a couple of those spots he's intending to cross even in a dry suit and even if I was wearing a life preserver!

Very fascinating... and NOT for me!

Jimbo   

At least he has private citizens who have committed to get him if things go south.

What chaps my ( * ) is when people take on those extreme challenges and rely on the rescue services to get them out of difficult situations they put themselves in by doing the extreme adventure thing.

PhantomJug wrote on Oct 16^th, 2013 at 7:36pm:


IMHO there's a big difference between needing rescue service in the course of "normal" activities and expecting someone to put his own life/limb in peril because you seek out situations that if things go awry they can be life threatening to you or a rescue person.

No amount of money/overtime/gainful employment balances losing your life because someone needs to as you say ( fill in the blank) theirs.

I feel the same way about people thinking because we have a voluntary military, the Vets shouldn't expect further "compensations" because they knew the potential risks when they signed up.


Quote:


Next thing you'll be telling me your going on a trip together.

PhantomJug wrote on Oct 16^th, 2013 at 7:36pm:
I'm sure MT would agree.    [/quote]

Indeed I would. I can't say enough about the professionalism that was on display by the OPP search and rescue ops when they hauled me off that sandbar. Big strong guys who weren't messin around. My biggest regret is I didn't get their names so I could send them a Christmas card and a proper thank you.

So ST, my question remains.  Was MT doing something that put his life and limb unnecessarily in peril that might precipitate a rescue team putting their life on the line?  How should we look at solo trips into the wilderness?  Where is the line between "normal" and "risky"?  As a seasoned, experienced solo canoe tripper (like yourself) cannot things go awry?  Likewise, as a seasoned, experience thrill seeker, cannot things go awry?  I'm not seeing a difference?  This Zabokrtski character seems to be experienced but say he breaks a leg somewhere north of Cairn in some blowdown.  I doubt his private party will be able to rescue him.

Well PJ, I'd go back to your original comment about people doing extreme activities.
Yes, I'll give you that people who don't paddle or only paddle tandem might think that solo paddlers are being reckless.

You mentioned that 4000 people will attempt to summit MT. Everest this season.
Do you think they're all good enough high mountain climbers or are many of them just "average" climbers that can pony up the 100k it takes to hirer a real pro guide who's job is to keep you from dying.
The more people make the attempt the more rescue people are endangered because many have no business being there. I believe this last season some veteran Sherpa guides died trying to get some "newbies" down.

I don't even see solo bushwhacking by an experienced woodsman as being "extreme".
Lot's of hunters do that every season.

The solo swimming is what makes his trip "extreme" to me. Dry suit or not, he could easily develop hypothermia. His suit could get torn and the cold could trigger a severe cramp and cause him to drown.

MT's rescuers flew in and plucked him up.
For them it was probably not much different than a training exercise. Choppers wouldn't risk inclement weather, so that wouldn't be a risk for the crew.

Now let's say Jason would drown? Maybe his suit keeps his body afloat, maybe he sinks.
Then the rescue crew has to dredge for his body, maybe send down divers into frigid waters.

A high risk effort even for seasoned divers.
I understand that if he got into serious enough trouble his friends probably would have to call on the pro's.
I see a big difference between him having friends lined up to help him if possible and just winging it on his own, counting on the pro's to save him.

Quote:


PJ giveth and taketh away.

PhantomJug wrote on Oct 17^th, 2013 at 3:40am:


Hmmm......it may not be that easy. For the desired effect the chocolate bar must be proceeded by several days of predawn rises, 12 hours of continuos toil and multiple mile long portages.

Since you get up late I'm picturing a base style trip where I do most of the cooking due to your self admission of tending to burn stuff.........Since we will be taking it easy the treat index will have to be ratcheted up several notches to evoke any reaction......how about a yummy peach cobbler baked via an outback oven? And in return?......... I'm usually very fussy about finding my own fishing spots but I might let you take me to a few of your pet spots. Of course it would be a fine and dandy time.

(Go Tigers  )