Years ago I knew a man who was a mountain climber, and when he had a son, he took him with on climbs. When they would summit the man told his son something like "look what you have done, you can now accomplish anything." I bet Lonnie Dupre has some of that "sense of accomplishment" in him.

He definitely does; Lonnie's done some pretty amazing things. I've never met him but caught an article in the Strib regarding his "One World Expedition," where he and Canadian Eric Larsen became the first people to paddle through the North Pole, in the summer. http://www.oneworldendeavors.com/expeditions/

The STRIB Terms of Use won't allow posting a web link, so I'll just say that if you do a little research on your own, you'd be surprised at just how much $$$ we spend every year on "failed attempt" rescues. It all comes down to rights and responsibilities, i.e., I have a RIGHT to climb a mountain during an incoming storm, however, YOU have a RESPONSIBILITY to rescue me. And hopefully YOU succeed, because if not, my family has a RIGHT to sue YOU. And guess who will win?

Oops, my bad about the link. No worries if it gets removed (hopefully the rest of my post stays). I haven't followed Lonnie since 2006 with the exception of his attempted climb last year but I believe he's been careful to not put himself in joepardy that requires rescuing. That's why he didn't go any further or risk anything more last year. I respect his thoughtful yet extreme adventures. He does what most people only dream about.

I can tell you this, rescue or not Its all about the planning. He is a world renowned arctic explorer with 25 years under his belt. He is one of the worlds best. One World Endeavors, look it up. Here are just a few of his accomplishments- Scott Pearlman Award, 2005 Rolex Award for Enterprise, 2004 Polartec Challenge Award, 2001 and 2000 Elected Fellow, National Explorers Club, 1996 Winter Olympics, Oslo, Norway, 1994 Soviet “Sportsman’s Medal” from Mikhail Gorbachev, 1989 NG Adventure - Best of Adventure, 2005