4 ms·

I wish this was adopted more. Far too often we see cases of adventurers taking unnecessary risks, only to have taxpayers bail them out. This is unfair on many

I wish this was adopted more. Far too often we see cases of adventurers taking unnecessary risks, only to have taxpayers bail them out. This is unfair on many fronts, but the biggest one is those incurring rescue costs often don't contribute to the local tax base in the first place. People should be able to take an adventure if they want, but they should accept the financial risks associated with this. A deposit system is 100% fair to everyone involved.

belter 4y ago
Sounds reasonable, and was probably triggered by events like these. It seems in some years, they had almost 100 deaths a year. "Mont Blanc deaths spark calls to end ‘free-for-all’"(2014): https://www.thelocal.fr/20140717/mont-blanc-climbing-alps-dangers/ https://www.thelocal.fr/20140717/mont-blanc-climbing-alps-da... "...With figures quoting up to 100 deaths each year in the entire Mont Blanc range, some consider it one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. But it's a reality that many see as entirely avoidable... ...It’s on the same list that includes going to Mont Saint Michel and getting a tan on one of France’s beaches and the whole thing reminds one of a large amusement park that goes by the name of Disneyland,” Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of the town of Saint-Gervais which sits at the foot of the mountain, told The Local. “Mont Blanc is sold like it’s a simple trek, but in reality it’s a high-altitude act of mountaineering...”" "French rescuers refuse to airlift Mont Blanc climber" (2014): https://www.thelocal.fr/20140709/mont-blanc-rescue-climber-alps/ https://www.thelocal.fr/20140709/mont-blanc-rescue-climber-a... "Fed up French officials refused to airlift a Polish climber off the slopes of Mont Blanc, when he called for help after deciding he didn't want to walk down. The local French mayor blasted 'ad hoc' alpinists for being like 'urban consumers'."
- AlexandrB 4y ago
  > "The French approach to risk is very different than the Anglo-Saxon attitude. They're attitude is 'go on, do what you want to do. But don't come running to us if you get in trouble,'" he said, noting Anglos are surprised by that because they assume they'd be barred from the climb if it was dangerous. I notice this too. North America has a "presumption of safety" that leads to some weird behaviour.
  - hyperman1 4y ago
    In Greece, we saw a board next to a cliff: Great danger! Walk quickly. They meant it, as they always do over there. Even so, some English speaking tourist went right to the edge, as there were no fences so they presumed it safe
  - orwin 4y ago
    Yeah, it's the same for swimming or sailing. If a port captain in France ask you 'are you sure?' or do off hand remarks about your skills he isn't being polite. You really to be sure about your path and your skills. If the beach have a red flag, you better know the area and the tides
  - Fatnino 4y ago
    Like foreign tourists getting right up close to bison as though they were sheep?
cryptonym 4y ago
This is not about rescue costs or solidarity. An insurance for this is quite cheap. This is about having fewer people up there and maybe more tax money locally. It's a trend among French mayors since tourists are back after 2yrs of covid. They want to get rid of the crowd while still benefiting from high-income tourism. In the end this is allowing only rich people to enjoy mountain / wild-life.
- turndown 4y ago
  Your boring theories only betray the fact you didn’t read the article at all.
- kennend3 4y ago
  Would it be fair to assume you did not read the article at all?
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

belter 4y ago

Sounds reasonable, and was probably triggered by events like these. It seems in some years, they had almost 100 deaths a year. "Mont Blanc deaths spark calls to end ‘free-for-all’"(2014): https://www.thelocal.fr/20140717/mont-blanc-climbing-alps-dangers/ https://www.thelocal.fr/20140717/mont-blanc-climbing-alps-da... "...With figures quoting up to 100 deaths each year in the entire Mont Blanc range, some consider it one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. But it's a reality that many see as entirely avoidable... ...It’s on the same list that includes going to Mont Saint Michel and getting a tan on one of France’s beaches and the whole thing reminds one of a large amusement park that goes by the name of Disneyland,” Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of the town of Saint-Gervais which sits at the foot of the mountain, told The Local. “Mont Blanc is sold like it’s a simple trek, but in reality it’s a high-altitude act of mountaineering...”" "French rescuers refuse to airlift Mont Blanc climber" (2014): https://www.thelocal.fr/20140709/mont-blanc-rescue-climber-alps/ https://www.thelocal.fr/20140709/mont-blanc-rescue-climber-a... "Fed up French officials refused to airlift a Polish climber off the slopes of Mont Blanc, when he called for help after deciding he didn't want to walk down. The local French mayor blasted 'ad hoc' alpinists for being like 'urban consumers'."

AlexandrB 4y ago
> "The French approach to risk is very different than the Anglo-Saxon attitude. They're attitude is 'go on, do what you want to do. But don't come running to us if you get in trouble,'" he said, noting Anglos are surprised by that because they assume they'd be barred from the climb if it was dangerous. I notice this too. North America has a "presumption of safety" that leads to some weird behaviour.
- hyperman1 4y ago
  In Greece, we saw a board next to a cliff: Great danger! Walk quickly. They meant it, as they always do over there. Even so, some English speaking tourist went right to the edge, as there were no fences so they presumed it safe
- orwin 4y ago
  Yeah, it's the same for swimming or sailing. If a port captain in France ask you 'are you sure?' or do off hand remarks about your skills he isn't being polite. You really to be sure about your path and your skills. If the beach have a red flag, you better know the area and the tides
- Fatnino 4y ago
  Like foreign tourists getting right up close to bison as though they were sheep?

cryptonym 4y ago

This is not about rescue costs or solidarity. An insurance for this is quite cheap. This is about having fewer people up there and maybe more tax money locally. It's a trend among French mayors since tourists are back after 2yrs of covid. They want to get rid of the crowd while still benefiting from high-income tourism. In the end this is allowing only rich people to enjoy mountain / wild-life.

turndown 4y ago
Your boring theories only betray the fact you didn’t read the article at all.
kennend3 4y ago
Would it be fair to assume you did not read the article at all?

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]