Wonderful to have such an opportunity! Beautiful there looks like. But my first thought is you were all nuts! A significant injury would have been quite difficult to deal with...but you got away with it with just great memories!!
To those of us who mountaineer, rock climb etc. we're always aware that if a serious injury happens we are at minimum many, many hours, quite often even a day or more away from rescue or care. That doesn't mean we're reckless or thrill/risk seeking...rather we're just aware. And inherently willing and able to self-rescue. It's just part of mountain sense. Take the stuff you need with you to deal with weather, sprained ankles, etc. Don't take unreasonable risks. Know where you are at all times, etc.
The people who get into the most trouble in the wilderness are those who don't have a healthy respect for it's dangers and risks.
Now that you fill in the gaps that you and the rest of the group were experienced climbing and rough country hikers, I agree with what you're saying. Just that the written story doesn't give any background along those lines. There were the weekend group day hikes earlier on that you mentioned but nothing like real climbing. The impression of this outing at first glance is just a disparate group of friends and associates just decided to take a spur of the moment adventure together. But like you said, eye of the beholder!! 🥺
Hah yes, I couldn't put everything in the book ;) But yes, the two trip leaders were both lead mountain climbers, and rest of the group were not newbies either. There was indeed serious prep that went into the trip - from equipment, to route finding, sourcing maps etc.
Wonderful to have such an opportunity! Beautiful there looks like. But my first thought is you were all nuts! A significant injury would have been quite difficult to deal with...but you got away with it with just great memories!!
"Nuts" is totally in the eye of the beholder!
To those of us who mountaineer, rock climb etc. we're always aware that if a serious injury happens we are at minimum many, many hours, quite often even a day or more away from rescue or care. That doesn't mean we're reckless or thrill/risk seeking...rather we're just aware. And inherently willing and able to self-rescue. It's just part of mountain sense. Take the stuff you need with you to deal with weather, sprained ankles, etc. Don't take unreasonable risks. Know where you are at all times, etc.
The people who get into the most trouble in the wilderness are those who don't have a healthy respect for it's dangers and risks.
Now that you fill in the gaps that you and the rest of the group were experienced climbing and rough country hikers, I agree with what you're saying. Just that the written story doesn't give any background along those lines. There were the weekend group day hikes earlier on that you mentioned but nothing like real climbing. The impression of this outing at first glance is just a disparate group of friends and associates just decided to take a spur of the moment adventure together. But like you said, eye of the beholder!! 🥺
Hah yes, I couldn't put everything in the book ;) But yes, the two trip leaders were both lead mountain climbers, and rest of the group were not newbies either. There was indeed serious prep that went into the trip - from equipment, to route finding, sourcing maps etc.