Michael Daly wrote:
On 15-Jan-2005, Melissa wrote:

Is it bravado? Or can it simply be an appreciation of life?

It's definitely not bravado for me. ...snip

MikeD and Melissa, when I spoke of bravado, I was not referring to
MikeD, but to Sparks and his OP.

Sparks wrote:
"Some friends and I are thinking about doing some winter time kayaking.
This will be the first time we have paddled in the cold water Indiana
...pretty chilly right now). " ...snip

Nothing is mentioned of their skill level, or trip planning and gear
preparation, except to say that it is first time in cold water. Sounds
like newbie bravado to me to think they have any business going
paddling at this time and under these conditions. If he is concerned
about paying $400 for a drysuit, what other preparation is too much?
Are his friends equally unprepared? What a terrible way to end a bunch
of friendships in a cold water incident, that we would all discuss
later on the forum, about how unnecessary and stupid it all was!

Melissa, I too understand the spiritual mystery of the winter solace. I
am new to paddling, but have enjoyed many solitary backcountry ski
trips spending the night in a tent or snow cave. I have heard the snow
fall with soft thuds.

But when I go out it is with full survival gear. Not as recently here
in Colorado (you may have seen in the news), a supposedly experienced
backcountry skier took his wife and daughter into the Grand Mesa
without even matches. They have yet to find him, after he went for
help, leaving them in a snow cave. They survived and were rescued but
with what mental and emotional truama for the rest of their lives. All
for a short fun afternoon of BC skiing.

Also in the news, the out of bound skiers in Utah, who thougth the
rules did not apply to them. They apparently forgot that avalache kill!
I have seen the bravado of usually young skiers and boarders as they
slip under the boundry ropes. No preparation for survival, no
notification to anyone of where they are going, just a go-for-the-gusto
attitude. I have helped find and pull their bodies out of the
avalanche.

Melissa, I love your crazy attitude about being fortunate to be alive.
But I suspect that it is tempered with experience and not just
go-for-the-gusto. I think that you and MikeD both appreciate life, and
I envy you the multitude of paddling experiences and opportunities you
have up in the great north country. To Be able to go out in the winter
must be marvelous, and I desire in no way to disparage your joy.

But as a newbie to paddling I am going slow, and encourage other
newbies to be careful out there. It is a cold wet world out there that
can suck the life right out of you.

For you Melissa I will sign off as I use to, for I also appreciate
life!

Tinkerntom, aka KnesisKnosis, Life, Live it!