Deseret News | Trapped hikers rescued by air

Reader comments
Trapped hikers rescued by air

Safety First | 11:37 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Glad they are safe - now send them a bill!

Lucky to be alive | 11:48 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

20 year olds often have more brawn than brains. These two are lucky to be alive. They could have easily died from hypothermia or falling. The mountains have a zero forgiveness policy and you have to respect that when you are in them otherwise bad things can happen in a hurry. Climbing in the winter poses additional threats not found in summer such as hypothermia, avalanche, and lack of traction around cliffs due to ice and snow.

No One of Consequence | 11:50 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Nothing like a long cold night on a mountain to encourage better preparedness. Wait till they get the bills...when LifeFlight shows up they bring a big price tag.

Comments continue below

goodness | 12:10 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

thank goodness

unbeleivable | 12:18 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

First you all complain that too many kids today are wasting away playing video games and getting fat.

now when you someone active staying in shape and keeping their future medical bills low you want to penalize them for a mistake that surely they will learn from and pass on to others.

i would think that with a high Mormon population descendants of pioneers that there would be more support for these kids and more promotion of out door activity in God's country instead of investing in sloth and gluttony in front of X-Box

a community was stuck on the mountain- not two young men as back in the day when people had the guts to travel to these lands by foot, and horseback

re:unbeleivable | 12:48 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"a mistake that surely they will learn from and pass on to others."

what makes you so sure they leaned anything from this? A few years ago a group about the same age were all killed snow boarding down an avalanche chute on Timpanogos. Really really poor judgement but they didn't live to tell about it. These same snow boarders had done similar dumb things before their fatal Timp episode so some kids just don't learn unless you are able to grab their attention in a BIG way after the first mistake. These boys are lucky to have a second chance.

wisdom learned | 12:53 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Wisdom is learned, sometimes, the hard way. Glad they are safe. But to blame Mormons in anyway because someone criticize the wisdom of these two young men hiking alone on Sunday only shows that your comments have a bigoted bias that you need to learn from about and gain wisdom from yourself!

To: Safety First | 12:58 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I'm with safety first on this one, happy that these kids are alive and kicking, now send them a bill.

To: Unbelievable | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

There's a big difference between sitting on one rear end getting fat as opposed to going out into terrain you're not familiar with and risking your life. However, neither are very wise.

Risky Behavior | 1:57 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I'm ok with people taking risk. But when things go bad, don't go asking the "community" to bail them out. That goes for mountain climbers, investment bankers and people who eat too much. Pay for the life-flight, financial package and triple bi-pass with your own money, not mine.

What in the world happened to personal responsibility?

Re: unbelievable | 2:08 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

I enjoy the outdoors. I'm in my late 40s and in better shape than most men half my age. But I don't take stupid risks, and if I did, I would expect to have to pay to be rescued from them.

No, a community wasn't stuck on the mountain, but a community had to go rescue a couple of idiots who were.

Careless/mindless | 2:18 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

@unbelievable,you are pitiful with your daily anti-LDS bigotry.
And with today's shrinking funds in every resource we have, these rescue efforts for careless/mindless behavior are only adding to the problem.
And will soon result in not being able to assist those who need rescued due to serious accidents.
These adventurers who risk other's lives and our tax dollars should be liable and responsible for their actions.

Yrag Notyalc | 2:26 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"Unbelievable" 12:18 p.m. - Your comments are nothing but bigoted, judgmental and especially unkind. (But I sense that means nothing to you!) Glad the kids are OK!

Up a creek? | 2:28 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

The cuddling comment just brought back visions from "Without a Paddle". Made me LOL.

I hope they didn't suffer TOO much!

Re: Re Unbelievable | 2:31 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Agree completely.

"No, a community wasn't stuck on the mountain, but a community had to go rescue a couple of idiots who were. "

Put Rescuer Lives at Risk | 2:34 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

These idiots rarely think about the families of rescuers who often lose loved ones trying to save someone from a stupid mistake.

If you are a real estate speculator, a Wall St banker, a gambler or just a mountain climber, think about the consequesnces to those around you and those who have to bail you out when things go wrong.

Thanks | 2:38 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

They are just creating jobs.

We owe them a big thanks.

Two Words! | 3:08 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

"Inexperienced" and "Unprepared". Says a lot. Glad they're okay because often it doesn't turn out this well when those two words are combined. Kudos to those who got them off the mountain!!

Shauna | 3:41 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Kudos to the rescuers. They were wonderful and unbelieveable. Two sons and rescue personnel are safe. Hallelujah!

Great courage | 5:28 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

and skill by the rescuers. Be certain to send the hikers an invoice for their lack of preparation.

@unbeleivable | 5:32 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Glad that you brought religion into this. I was wondering how someone was ultimately to blame the LDS church for hikers being unprepared. Yes, it is unbelievable.

Yes | 5:35 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Definitely job security for these rescuers. Thankfully there are plenty of 20 year olds out in the world thinking they can conquer the world. Which is true, but DONNY! It's called preparation, you doofus!

Religion | 10:46 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Why is it always a religion's fault? get off that tired narrow minded kick!! These kids made a bad choice that could have cost them their lives. Like you've never made a dumb choice that might have been bad for you or someone else.

Indifferent | 11:39 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Glad they are safe. Glad the rescuers are safe. Glad the rescuers had the skill and equipment to act. I am sorry the bill will likely be very big for these two men. But if it were me, I'd fess up and pay the bill without complaint.

Don't know why so many posters are getting all worked up about this. It's good news that could have been tragic news. It's also an important reminder to me to be better prepared.

I'm always happy for a happy ending and a helpful reminder.

To the rest of you, lighten up.

Ute in Thailand | 12:00 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

These two yo-yo's should be billed for the expenses involved and they also owe Search & Rescue a big "Thank You" along with a steak dinner.
Several high risk activities have inexpensive liability insurance to protect against these types of events (Divers Area Network as an example for scuba related incidents). At the risk of suggesting another imposition of government in our lives maybe our communities need to get tougher on this type of behavior such as is done in Moab.
I too hate to see people hurt while enjoying our great outdoors but that enjoyment comes with some responsibility and the cost of cleaning up after one's mistake, foolish or otherwise, should not be at the expense of the taxpayer. Accidents do happen despite best preparation and intentions, that's why we are required to have automobile liability insurance.
Thanks to Search & Rescue and your many hours of volunteer work along the Wasatch Front/Back.

RE: ute in thailand | 1:23 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

One thing the article did not say was why search and rescue was called.

either way if it was your kids or neighbors kids would you or the others on this post sing the same tune?

I have over 30 years of experience as a lawyer in salt lake city. Most LDS people would know me
if I mentioned my firm or my name.

It pains me to say that if any one of you were trapped up there or family members you would be saying something much different.

I see many of SLC residents and LDS daily. Religion doesn't matter when your faced with time or fines. Everyone is the same at that moment.

I am sorry to say that the one person most of you responded to... is the closest to being correct in morals and in the court room.

The court will not bill them for what is stated in this article.

My suggestion: come more involved with the community,
Surely it is every ones responsibility if they did not know better. How many mistakes were made in front of Jesus? Did he send them a bill? so why would you? he taught, taught taught

BALOON BOY | 7:42 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

It's wonderful the young men are okay.

BTW:

Who pays for the rescue?

Typical | 7:44 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Just make sure you have their correct address for billing purposes!

Common Swens | 9:22 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Of course we should care who pays for an expensive rescue like this! If there is no consequence for people who don't THINK before they DO, the problem will keep going and going and going! I don't think the boys should have to pay the full bill, but the fine should be enough to rattle thier cages a little bit. As the word gets out to the community that there are actually some pretty heafty consequences, I think we'll see a huge decrease in the number of idiots that have to be plucked off of a mountain.

Re: Ballon boy | 2:03 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

The Search and Recue members are all volunteers they get paid nothing. for their time or equipment.

The cost for the police/sherrifs and the state helicopter is paid for out of a fund created by a 25 cent surcharge on every Fishing and hunting license sold in Utah.

Life flight will bill the boys I belive.. (not sure on this though - I think it is based on the ability to pay)

Jacob O. | 8:06 p.m. Nov. 18, 2009

I am twenty years old and age has absolutely nothing to do with inexperience. I can climb/guide/ski/snowboard and hike backcountry with the best. I am bothered by the fact that people blame their age on this mistake. I watched many kids and adults get rescued in little cottonwood canyon from anything from climbing falls to snowshoeing. There was an accident but don't blame it on all twenty year olds being stupid as it could have happened to anyone that gets in over their head.

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8 photos

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Life Flight lands at the command center early Monday as they and Sheriff's deputies respond to help a couple of hikers off the mountain in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Gallery (8 photos)