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Disgraceful behaviour 19-Feb-2009 At 1:08:16 PM V

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Re: the video thing - just about everything that goes on these days is captured on video. We're all
voyeurs, and I bet everyone on this thread watched it, disapproving or not. Video is the new photo,
and there's plenty of mainstream photos of dead and dying people (not that I condone such photos).

They seemed to be trying to motivate him - sometimes cussing is the best way to do it - so I'd forgive
them that. Remember these guys are not personal trainers, they're climbers under duress. The thing I
couldn't stand about the situation was the "committee" standing around doing nothing. They looked to
be in pretty good shape.

Aconcagua is not that hard to stumble down, even when you're completely done for. I stumbled down
from the summit in a total daze, in weather similar to the video. Every time I tripped and fell flat on
my face on the rocks I would fall asleep, but I still made it (well, mostly). I'm sure between the 5 of
them they could have dragged him down the Canaleta and back to a camp, regardless of the weather.
He might well have died from pulmonary oedema anyway, but at least they could say they gave it their
honest best. The altitude up there is somewhat debilitating, but it's not that big a deal - probably
nothing like 8000m+ anyway.

Perhaps they were still on their way up and didn't want to be encumbered... Ah well, I wasn't there and
I shouldn't judge. (Rant over.)

Hi Mulchy!