Solo climber loses life in Yosemite N. P.

It has been my experience that Scotty does not allow friendship to get in the way of his seemingly obsessive and never ending pursuit of the devil's advocate role.
Entertainment value? William Wallace bloodlines? Too much idle time on his hands? Who knows? Scotty may not even know for sure.
Despite this somewhat socially obnoxious character trait we still value him as a friend (But don’t tell him I said that ).
For now I pray that Christina Chan’s friends and loved ones view this massive thread drift as constructive and thought provoking to those of us with similar challenges of those which Christina faced and that they further understand that it was in no way meant to disrespect her love for her sport or the decisions that she made.
I believe all here still offer heartfelt condolences for her loss.

Whatever. I have no need for apologists.
Friendships are transient and the reasons for them mainly self -centered and egotistical and the truth more important.

Whatever. I have no need for apologists.
Friendships are transient and the reasons for them mainly self -centered and egotistical and the truth more important.

WOW !!

Friendships are transient and the reasons for them mainly self -centered and egotistical and the truth more important.

Maybe the transience is due to intransigence?
The quest for truth is a lonely endeavor.

Any poems to add, Telemack?

...The quest for truth is a lonely endeavor.

Any poems to add, Telemack?

He may have already WRITTEN IT .

I've thought long and hard on this topic myself over the years, having done a lot of free solo climbing BITD, and a bit of extreme skiing later. In the end I've come down on Lowell's side of the morality argument - for myself the self-centered risk taking in pursuit of my zen high wasn't justified after I got married (I felt guilty afterward when I thought of the consequences), and it would have become even more of a moral issue if I had kids. But what if a father has a high risk job, is it moral then to provide for his family? Alex Lowe and Doug Combs come to mind (of course both of them could have made a living just back from the edge).

Another aspect of modern ski porn that I'd like to know is how many 100 ft. huckers are still skiing/climbing/etc. into their 50s? It would be interesting to hear from older guys to see if they now think it was worth it. I've always thought american football was the most immoral activity in our society in this way - how many high school atheletes sacrifice their bodies for fleeting glory, and give up a life time of sports enjoyment? (all with the support and encouragement of Mom/Pop/Teachers/Etc.) Of course the stats on those going pro are horrible, crippling pain/medication addiction and early death.

I do think some risk is worth the rewards, and if you go out in the mountains a lot it will become extreme at times even if you don't seek it out or even realize it (third classing across an exposed easy gully where a random rock would send you tumbling). The tight rope we tread of how much is too much is different for every person depending on skill and physical capabilities.