5 wounded warriors attempt Mount McKinley summit

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

5 wounded warriors attempt Mount McKinley summit
Posted: Jun 22, 2012 2:18 AM CDT Updated: Jun 22, 2012 2:18 AM CDT
By MARK THIESSEN
Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Five wounded warriors with a self-described total of four good legs among them are gaining ground in their assault on Alaska's formidable Mount McKinley, North America's tallest peak.

The five soldiers - four are retired - range in age from 31 to 64. All but one lost limbs in American conflicts stretching from Vietnam to Afghanistan.

After nine days on the 20,320-foot mountain in the Alaska Range, the expedition was resting at 14,200 feet Thursday and was being warned by guides the climb only gets more difficult.

"Obviously, I don't have to worry about losing my feet to the cold," said Stephen Martin, who calls himself a desert rat from suburban Phoenix who hates being cold. "I've already lost my feet. I don't want to lose my hands to frostbite."





Read more: http://www.wlns.com/story/18852919/5-wounded-warriors-attempt-mount-mckinley-summit

[demosincebirth]

1. I wonder how much it will cost the tax payers to rescue these five guys from the mountain, who

shouldn't be up there in the first place?

[jimlup]

6. If they have been through a reputible mountaineering course they just as much right to be up there

as anyone.

There are always about 20 deaths on Denali in any given year. Someone I knew personally was killed in a fall on descent from the summit last year. The people who do the helicopter rescues usually find it to be useful training but that is really beside the point.

If you want to outlaw mountaineering - fine. You'll have a fight on your hands from people like me (I'm a Denali qualified mountaineer.) But don't take it out on the qualified handicapped only because they are different.

[demosincebirth]

7. Your assumptions are just that. You don't know me or what I think about mountaineering on

one simple question that I asked.

[Posteritatis]

9. You're not really the one to talk about assumptions, given your first post in this thread. (nt)

[demosincebirth]

11. Assumptions? See for yourself and not be so flip

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12351881-park-ranger-falls-3700-feet-to-death-during-mount-rainier-rescue


Your thoughts?

[Posteritatis]

8. Ugh, that stupid talking point again. (nt)

[demosincebirth]

10. Not a talking point, but a matter of life and death. Is that stupid?

[aintitfunny]

2. I know the leader of the pack.

He is a remarkable person with a remarkable purpose. I have been to a few fundraisers for his Disabled Sports group and met a few of the soldiers that have been in the program. It is quite impressive and very moving. This program proves that life does not end with the loss of a limb or more. Not only can they live, they can live well and be active and adventurous. He works hard to prove this and he is right there with them on adventures such as this.

[roody]

3. I wish they would stop attacking a mountain.

What did that mountain do to them?

[octothorpe]

4. Because it would cost them too much to bomb the moon.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Is that anywhere close to Denali?