Re: [Paddlewise] Chatooga drowning, wilderness, risks, expressing your wishes

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 09:47:33 -0700
Mark Zen wrote:

> On Thu, 15 Jul 1999, Peter W wrote:
> >
> >  [snip] Don't go out into the wild,
> > or let your children go into the wild, without honestly addressing the
> > risks involved and talking to your loved ones. [snip]
> > Many here have said they would not object to being
> > left in such a place, especially if the recovery effort would endanger the
> > recovery crew and/or the environment. How many of us feel the same but
> > have not told our loved ones? Do our loved ones know that we would not
> > consider it disrespectful to abandon a dangerous rescue? That out of
> > respect for others, the future, and this marvelous creation, we would
> > prefer that recovery efforts "leave no trace"? Etc.

> the discussion of this was quite heated in my house ... my wife said she
> would want my body back at any cost ... when i asked her why, she wouldn't
> answer... i told her, since we were already clear either of us were to be
> cremated, that i absolutely would NOT want people to risk their lives for
> my dead ass. 

I'm in Mark's camp, but understand the emotions of the family.  No one has
said this, but I suspect the body of the young girl is partially *visible* at
times.  If that were my son's body, that would be a very difficult thing to
walk away from, despite my (and his) strong commitment to wilderness and
no-trace interaction with it.

It's cultural, also.  My friends Mary and Link, who have Native American
heritage, are aghast that I am not concerned about the eventual fate of my
remains.  They are culturally and religiously attached to the remains of their
ancestors in a way I can not appreciate.

I sympathize and understand the emotions of family members who balk at the
abstract principle of a Wild and Scenic River designation in the face of their
daughter's plight.  Not an easy or comfortable thing to confront.  And, a damn
shame it has become a political football for the likes of the Honorable
Senator Thurmond.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Fri Jul 16 1999 - 09:51:04 PDT

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