Re: [Paddlewise] James Kim

Bradford_Crain wrote:
> Granted this is a list about paddle sports, but I just can't get my mind
> off James Kim and his family. [snip]

> James Kim is a very intelligent person, 35 years old, very successful 
> and enterprising in San Francisco. He works in high tech, is an editor 
> of a tech journal, and owns two boutiques. [snip] If it can happen to
> James Kim, it can happen to any of us.

> Regardless of the final outcome, I believe we all can learn from this
> tragedy. [snip] We can also give support to the dedicated, brave people
> of SAR. It also seems clear the authorities in Josephine County do not
> have the full resources that they need in such emergencies. There is no
> excuse for our emergency services being anything but fully funded.

Mr. Kim was found dead today, not far from where some of his clothing was 
discovered a day or two ago.

I agree a tragedy occurred, but not perhaps on its timing.  The tragedy 
occurred in the form of at least two major errors in judgment while the Kim 
family made its way up a sometimes one-lane, partially paved, snowy back 
road, in an effort to save an hour or two of highway travel time, during 
inclement weather in higher, mountainous country, far from help, passing 
signs indicating the road they were traveling was not maintained or plowed 
for winter use.

Did the previous paragraph ring any bells for paddlers?

It should.  Often, injuries and deaths occur on the water when paddlers 
ignore or are unaware of indications of dangerous conditions ahead.  That's 
why we read charts; it's why we consult guides and use local knowledge in 
our forays into the wild.  It's why we have backup systems in case our 
usual means of protecting ourselves fail.  It's why we file float plans, to 
call in help if we do not make a goal or return when we plan to.

I transited that same section of I-5, on the same day the Kims did, going 
the opposite direction.  So did thousands of others.  It is a sad thing 
that willful decisions made in a lone vehicle resulted in harrowing 
circumstances for four people, and the death of one.  I am sad that this 
happened, but we can not save them all, no matter what level of SAR we are 
willing to fund.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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