Sharing this story from Tobie Openshaw’s wall. Many wall commenters elsewhere on this story seem to show an astonishing distinct lack of empathy.

Czech couple rescued by helicopter from Taiwan’s Taroko Gorge | Taiwan News | Nov. 1, 2024 17:29

I’m glad the couple are well, too many mountaineers die in Taiwan’s mountains, … I’m guessing they underestimated the typhoon direction, duration & strength greatly and when contacted, realized their mistake could have cost them their lives. I’m also glad that the rescuers arrived safe & well. Rescue missions can fail tragically, too. Rescue is dangerous.

My mom was a climber in the 50’s. She often said that many of her peers didn’t survive the mountains: accidents, exposure are real dangers, other risks notwithstanding. I don’t know how much rhetoric Mom was adding to make the stories spicy… but the Scottish mountains are dangerous even to seriously experienced climbers. The speed with which weather can change is astonishing.

Should they pay for it? Well, that’s not a decision for me to make. I don’t have all the facts either. Of course, even if they do pay for it, it’s probably a good investment as getting back down would’ve been quite treacherous for them. Even in the city, roads and routes are blocked three days after. But let’s leave that to the people who get to decide.