Ah, but we're into the classic comparison of apples & watermelons (or
was that oranges?). On the one hand we have your quotes, which seem to
celebrate the man against the elements aspect. Beat my breast, act
wisely, equip well, train vigorously, and I shall overcome. I am man,
see me suffer!
On the other hand, we have an old softie like me, a
pseudo-intellectual engineer, a planner. My goal is to enjoy if
nothing goes wrong and survive even if something -- or, often, several
somethings -- does. I would have no intention of swimming ashore.
Instead, if all my planning and preparation is insufficient to
eliminate a threat -- which I see as very unlikely, hence this
discussion -- I'll unashamedly trigger the EPIRB, make sure Dog has
her life vest on, and take a good shot at surviving till help arrives.
Another way of looking at it is that falling off a rock face is
permanent, falling into the sea need not be. But then I'm mildly
acrophobic, creating a bias that once drove me to scale high things
and now makes me happy at sea level.
Regards,
Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (Aug 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net