Comments on: Backcountry Skiing News Roundup

By: Lou

Lou — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:59:26 +0000

Sounds fun, but do I have to drink the martinis?

I could write a blog about the insanity of risking all for shopping, but we’re covering a different subject.

There is plenty of insanity in the world, that is axiomatic.

By: Bob M

Bob M — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:27:35 +0000

Isn’t it funny how we will risk our lives for the thrill of sport but vehemently protect ourselves from perceived toxins all around us. Sure we’ll eat only “naturally grown” grains and drive biodesel cars in order to fight the fine fight against the evils of global warming but risk our very lives for thrill in order to “feel” alive. Where’s the balance?

Itâ€™s not just professional freeskiers risking life and limb. Correct me if I’m wrong but scores of skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers and mountaineers die every year striving to feel alive. At the same time thousands live on and enjoy. How many people die on our nations highways? Thousands. Are they risking theirs live to “feel” alive? No, they’re just trying to live. I don’t see any articles about the insanity of risking ones life to get to work or go shopping.

Obviously the difference seems to be money in the case of professional athletes. But professional athletes die all the time for their respective sport. How many basketball and football players drop dead from defective heart during workouts?

My solution is to stay at home turn of the TV, eat steak, french fries and drink martinis every day. Itâ€™s an old thrill sport but Iâ€™m willing to risk it.

By: AJ

AJ — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:23:53 +0000

Hi Lou, Cliff drops? Avalanches? Don't underestimate blogging as a health risk! :-)

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:10:46 +0000

The soda bottles work really well and they’re light. But the Time mag article of course give a dire warning about how bacteria grow in them. Got to keep that negativity going no matter what, isn’t that their job?

By: JK

JK — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:11:22 +0000

Lou – sorry to go off topic from the current comments related to this blog. However the topic of Lexan -vs- HDPE water bottles reminded me of a lighter moment I had while working with an outdoor youth program.

While getting water after a long hike I decided to show the kids the superiority of my Lexan bottle over their standard issue HDPE bottles (the Lexan bottles are indistructable you know). I threw the thing directly at a rock and it exploded. The kids, not to be outdone, proceded to throw their HDPE bottles against the same rock and they simpley bounced off. So maybe the HDPE water bottles are better. These days I simply reuse the 1L soda bottles though. They are cheaper and lighter than the expensive stuff in outdoor stores.