SCARIEST DAY OF OUR LIVES (why we take risks)
video description
In August the glacier is largely -dry- (i. e. no snow) so you need to worry less about the crevasses because you can -see- them. Crevasses are most dangerous when you can't see them earlier in the season (May, June, first half of July) and then you do need to bring a crevasse rescue kit and skills. In the -dry season- you need to watch where you put your feet (in crampons) and have some experience in walking on crampons.
Bad weather always is a risk, but I don't know whether you guys had looked at 2- or 3-day weather forecasts. It is the smart thing to do. But even experienced climbers get caught up in surprise bad weather at times. I would always prefer another night at the hut over going out on a glacier in a storm. But from the storm images I saw on your video, I think the risk was reasonable and not excessive.
In the video I didn't see you use a map or a gps. now that is taking unreasonable risk, in case you didn't have any of these. Never go out on a glacier, -dry- or not- without a good map, a compass and better still, also a proper gps device. Mark your route as you go. Even the mildest storm can put you into a grey-out or white-out and a glacier is terrifying if you can't see 2m ahead. I couldn't see whether you had food and isolation blankets with you. Never hike in the high mountains without additional food, isolation blankets and a first-aid kit. Finally, I couldn't see from the video whether you had the Zermatt mountain rescue phone nr on your cell phones. I hope you did, but if you didn't then that too would count as a grave mistake in my book.
I enjoyed the video! It is a wonderful area there on the Gorner glacier.
Date: 2022-05-08
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Comments and reviews: 9
Alexandra
Ok I totally understand where you are coming from when you explain why you've made the decision to go glacier hiking when it's raining. I hope you've learned from your mistake and thank god you didn't pay for this mistake with your lives. And yes people do get upset because they care about you and don't want anything bad to happen to you although it does not excuse not being nice to you guys. But you are right - without taking chances in life and getting out of your comfort zone you would not have lived the life you are currently living. But you do have to remember that getting out of your comfort zone and taking chances in life comes with the responsibility of doing everything you can to learn in advance everything you possibly can about the places you want to visit and not just guess. Since every part of the world is different in many aspects (you've just had one example in this video) so you don't have enough pre knowledge to make an assumption about what may be the dangers in different parts of the world and what would be safe. You know what I'm saying?
You also have to bear in mind that a local may have different aspect on experiences of dangers and safety and may assume that you know things that you don't know since he is used to different life experiences then you so he may even not warn you about things that for him would be common knowledge as for you you just wouldn't know since you come from a different life experience in many aspects.
So thank god you both are safe and survived. Be safe and love your videos (:
reply
Ok I totally understand where you are coming from when you explain why you've made the decision to go glacier hiking when it's raining. I hope you've learned from your mistake and thank god you didn't pay for this mistake with your lives. And yes people do get upset because they care about you and don't want anything bad to happen to you although it does not excuse not being nice to you guys. But you are right - without taking chances in life and getting out of your comfort zone you would not have lived the life you are currently living. But you do have to remember that getting out of your comfort zone and taking chances in life comes with the responsibility of doing everything you can to learn in advance everything you possibly can about the places you want to visit and not just guess. Since every part of the world is different in many aspects (you've just had one example in this video) so you don't have enough pre knowledge to make an assumption about what may be the dangers in different parts of the world and what would be safe. You know what I'm saying?
You also have to bear in mind that a local may have different aspect on experiences of dangers and safety and may assume that you know things that you don't know since he is used to different life experiences then you so he may even not warn you about things that for him would be common knowledge as for you you just wouldn't know since you come from a different life experience in many aspects.
So thank god you both are safe and survived. Be safe and love your videos (:
reply
English
I can see why, being from Tennessee you would be unfamiliar with the rules of the mountains and information about mountains that could have helped guide you. It is a world to itself. And what can seems safe can change so quickly, as sadly you experienced. From a friend who wishes you well, are a few tips for the mountains:
- If, while on a mountain, the thought crosses your mind -Is this safe? - -turn around.
- Mountains create their own weather, making it impossible to predict-so you have to pack for all conditions and have water proof clothing.
- Always bring the 10 essentials.
- Pack as if you will get lost and spend the night outdoors.
- With warm weather and rain a lot changes fast, stay where you are, unless there-s zero other choice.
- Lightening-absolute no go.
- And for more serious climbs with crevasses: ropes, ice axes, crampons, a guide, etc.
And-I for one, appreciate your vulnerability. We all make mistakes-yours just happens to be on camera. Glad you-re alive.
reply
I can see why, being from Tennessee you would be unfamiliar with the rules of the mountains and information about mountains that could have helped guide you. It is a world to itself. And what can seems safe can change so quickly, as sadly you experienced. From a friend who wishes you well, are a few tips for the mountains:
- If, while on a mountain, the thought crosses your mind -Is this safe? - -turn around.
- Mountains create their own weather, making it impossible to predict-so you have to pack for all conditions and have water proof clothing.
- Always bring the 10 essentials.
- Pack as if you will get lost and spend the night outdoors.
- With warm weather and rain a lot changes fast, stay where you are, unless there-s zero other choice.
- Lightening-absolute no go.
- And for more serious climbs with crevasses: ropes, ice axes, crampons, a guide, etc.
And-I for one, appreciate your vulnerability. We all make mistakes-yours just happens to be on camera. Glad you-re alive.
reply
Carl
Reminds me of a hike I did in NZ, with a friend. We went from Mt Cook village to the first hut on the Cook Glacier. It was OK when we started, but the weather closed in and it started raining and sleeting and the sun went down. We blundered along the trail, till we saw the lights of the hut. We got to the hut, frozen, but were warmed up again by hot drinks given to us by the other occupants of the hut. We had a great couple of days, with perfect weather. One of the problems with alpine hiking, is that the weather can go from beautiful to deadly in minutes. Some might say that you were reckless, but I say, well done you for getting well outside your comfort zone. I would love to be able to do that, but that sort of thing is well past me at my age (75) and state of health (crap, but I have done som good hikes in NZ, the Australian Alps, the Pyrenees and Nepal. I am satisfied. Keep on Truckin.
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Reminds me of a hike I did in NZ, with a friend. We went from Mt Cook village to the first hut on the Cook Glacier. It was OK when we started, but the weather closed in and it started raining and sleeting and the sun went down. We blundered along the trail, till we saw the lights of the hut. We got to the hut, frozen, but were warmed up again by hot drinks given to us by the other occupants of the hut. We had a great couple of days, with perfect weather. One of the problems with alpine hiking, is that the weather can go from beautiful to deadly in minutes. Some might say that you were reckless, but I say, well done you for getting well outside your comfort zone. I would love to be able to do that, but that sort of thing is well past me at my age (75) and state of health (crap, but I have done som good hikes in NZ, the Australian Alps, the Pyrenees and Nepal. I am satisfied. Keep on Truckin.
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emjdickman
I cant believe they werent given pick axes, ive done a guided tour of the large glacier in Iceland and even with a guide you are told to always carry your pick axe with yr strongest hand, and to always stay on the path that the guide follows. that way if you fall you have some hope in rescuing yourself. I do appreciate that they werent warned about the risks of this journey, I am glad they made it back safely. But yeah crossing a glacier in the rain - not the smartest move, which I'm sure they have learnt from. All the best to both of you, and will continue watching. I miss being able to travel, but appreciate the work you guys put in to the content.
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I cant believe they werent given pick axes, ive done a guided tour of the large glacier in Iceland and even with a guide you are told to always carry your pick axe with yr strongest hand, and to always stay on the path that the guide follows. that way if you fall you have some hope in rescuing yourself. I do appreciate that they werent warned about the risks of this journey, I am glad they made it back safely. But yeah crossing a glacier in the rain - not the smartest move, which I'm sure they have learnt from. All the best to both of you, and will continue watching. I miss being able to travel, but appreciate the work you guys put in to the content.
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Don
Live & let Live! Kara & Nate, you'll only regret the things you didn't do. The best you can say now is -that was crazy & you lived through it & you might not do it again-. On the other hand, you now have knowledge that you didn't have before you did it the first time. Did you hear about that guy who went for a walk around the block & got hit by a bus! EXACTLY! That can happen. If we knew what was ahead, most of us would not go out of the house - EVER! So live your life & create your content. Haters are gonna hate. We applaud you! Keep winning! You guys are awesome!
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Live & let Live! Kara & Nate, you'll only regret the things you didn't do. The best you can say now is -that was crazy & you lived through it & you might not do it again-. On the other hand, you now have knowledge that you didn't have before you did it the first time. Did you hear about that guy who went for a walk around the block & got hit by a bus! EXACTLY! That can happen. If we knew what was ahead, most of us would not go out of the house - EVER! So live your life & create your content. Haters are gonna hate. We applaud you! Keep winning! You guys are awesome!
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dmzall
Ok, yes I think them doing this was nuts, and I point I went shit this a place they get hurt. Not something I would do. But I think they are brave. Nate nor Kara seem to be reckless, and they pushed they comfort zone. I don't think they where doing it for the gram yt or the would have kept filming the whole way down. They a brave puting this out there, maybe help others not do it. They don't make light of it. Thank you Kara and Nate
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Ok, yes I think them doing this was nuts, and I point I went shit this a place they get hurt. Not something I would do. But I think they are brave. Nate nor Kara seem to be reckless, and they pushed they comfort zone. I don't think they where doing it for the gram yt or the would have kept filming the whole way down. They a brave puting this out there, maybe help others not do it. They don't make light of it. Thank you Kara and Nate
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MoYalinable
I am Swiss and pretty mountain-experienced and actively pursuing some extreme sports myself. Your reflections about risk, safety considerations, and momentary decisions (10 dollar water bottle vs. hyperthermia in a very unforgiving environment) at the end of the video are really valuable. It is really cool that rather than -bragging-, you engage. Bravo, or as we would say in Swiss German: Findi guet.
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I am Swiss and pretty mountain-experienced and actively pursuing some extreme sports myself. Your reflections about risk, safety considerations, and momentary decisions (10 dollar water bottle vs. hyperthermia in a very unforgiving environment) at the end of the video are really valuable. It is really cool that rather than -bragging-, you engage. Bravo, or as we would say in Swiss German: Findi guet.
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Sweetly__Me
It-s so cool how they can take risks I would be so scared but they are awesome I started watching there videos since 2016 and there videos are awesome we-re lucky to see theses videos and I love you guys so so much it-s ok if you don-t see this comment but I hope you do because those comments that were mean just see this -beleive you can and your halfway there- Theadore Roosevelt -
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It-s so cool how they can take risks I would be so scared but they are awesome I started watching there videos since 2016 and there videos are awesome we-re lucky to see theses videos and I love you guys so so much it-s ok if you don-t see this comment but I hope you do because those comments that were mean just see this -beleive you can and your halfway there- Theadore Roosevelt -
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Jason
Hey Kara and Nate! I just watched this video and I can't believe the comments for people bashing you for exploring with the information you were given. It's easy to say something on a post but don't know what it takes to get to the adventure without knowing what comes ahead. Love you guys and I wish my girlfriend and I can do 1% of what you two are doing. So glad I came across your page!
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Hey Kara and Nate! I just watched this video and I can't believe the comments for people bashing you for exploring with the information you were given. It's easy to say something on a post but don't know what it takes to get to the adventure without knowing what comes ahead. Love you guys and I wish my girlfriend and I can do 1% of what you two are doing. So glad I came across your page!
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