this is the video about how the boys got down from Mt. Whitney on 10.21.10.

Good Video. How embarrassing must it have been for the 3 walkers who got rescued though especially when the rescue is now on Youtube for all the world to see.

Cool video, I'm thinking that if you take away the option of that kind of rescue, a group is likely to be more prepared or won't go at all. I'm not advocating to remove the rescue option though.

Nice video. The best helicopter operations are the undramatic ones. I'll bet the military chalked up the time as training.

"How embarrassing must it have been for the 3 walkers who got rescued though especially when the rescue is now on Youtube for all the world to see."

Not embarrassing enough!

One sleeping bag for the three of them, not enough cold-weather gear, and no/not enough firemaking materials. Doesn't it get cold in NEBRASKA, dorks? They'd better stay in the flatlands where they obviously belong.

Sue

I agree, but I think if you get yourself into a situation through any kind of incompetance or failure to prepare, rescue should come with an adjudicated price tag.

As a matter fact, that is the case in some rescues in the NPS (and perhaps other agencies as well). Cases where the victims were really, really dumb generate a bill. The decision to charge or not is made on a case by case basis.

Well, that was about the most interesting TV I've seen in 10 years. Can you believe those Park Service guys refused a ride down in that Chinook helicopter? I would have made my Gramma Mabel cook all of those guys a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings to get a ride in that helicopter from that spot.

Hey, NPS is tough! Of course, their helo may have been parked just downslope, complete with a steak dinner...

photos from the cockpit of the chinook helo that rescued the hikers are here.

video from the rescuee while rescuers approach is here.

at least he said thank you.