[Paddlewise] The Dark Side of Extreme Adventure

Some relevance to paddling here, re risk-taking:

I was listening to a local radio talk show the other day. Maria Coffey (a BC
kayaker, author) was being interviewed about her new award winning book,
"Where The Mountain Casts Its Shadow - The Dark Side of Extreme Adventure."

It was a short, but thought-provoking interview. Maria lost her partner to
the Himalayan mountains a few years ago, and has now given a voice to those
wives, children, and parents who were left in the wake of such deaths as
those experience by high-altitude climbers.

I guess I got rubbed the wrong way when Maria replied to a question about
how the death of her partner changed her life: Had anything good come from
it (other than the book I assume)? She stated that she lives life more
*intently* now. I phoned in right away, reminding Maria that she has
undertaken more than a few trips herself, by kayak, and that there are those
who would consider such activity as potential risk taking. I also insisted
that these men spoken of in her book were simply living life intensely, too
(living large as one Paddlewiser says).

She didn't ponder the question, but did make a comment on my second point I
went on to make, which was the fact that those who undertake high-risk
activity, if overtaken by peril, will often be accused of having loved their
pastime more than the family they claim to have loved so much. I suggested
that risk-takers (those with loved ones) face that tension every time they
head out. Maria agreed, and said her book touches all these issues in a
balanced, non-judgemental way -- but I'd have to read the book to see for
myself.

As it turned out, I was the only caller, so won a free copy of Maria's new
award-winning book. My wife wants me to read it now.

BTW, I've spoken with Maria in times past, via phone, while researching
accident articles for Sea Kayaker. She is simply a fantastic individual, so
don't misinterpret anything said above. Her, and her new partner's website
is:



Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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