Re: Solo hiking

Bob made excellent points and I only have concerns about this one. I
have some severe reservations about solo hiking, except in an emergency.
I don't know if our news made the papers but last week, The Honolulu fire
department buried a chopper pilot and the police department buried two
search and rescue officers from their department who were killed
searching for a solo hiker who friends claimed was well prepared. The
hiker has yet to be found (and neither has another missing a week
earlier). I keep thinking of the officers' wives and children (one an
infant). I think of the demands to extend the search which was ordered. I
think of all the second-guessing that is now going on on that judgment.
We have had a lot of discussion about whether or not to charge hikers for
search and rescue efforts in the face of severe budget shortfalls in
state and local government in Hawaii. I don't think that's practical, but
I'm not going to be clamoring for anyone to risk their life more than is
reasonable to rescue people who in the final analysis are rather thoughtless
and self-centered. And as the Honolulu Mayor suggested: next time you
see a police officr or a fireman, take a moment to say thanks.

YIS

kevin
Aloha Council BSA

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