Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Two Kiwi Climbers become the 1 in 4


K2 is the second highest mountain on the planet.  

It’s located on the border between Pakistan and China.  

Due to its technical difficulty coupled with adverse weather it is known as the mountaineer’s mountain. 
 
It's well-earned nick-name is 'The Savage Mountain'

Climbing K2 in mountaineering terms is well above (pun?) summiting Everest.  

K2 has a well-founded infamous reputation. 

One climber for every four who’ve succeeded in making the summit has died in the attempt.  

A father and son from New Zealand were killed on its slopes this week, swept away in an avalanche.  

What on earth could possess someone to ‘spin the roulette wheel of life’ knowing you have a 25 per cent chance of being killed?  

Hearing the distraught daughter/sister of the Kiwi climbers on last night news emphasised the impact such tragedies have on the family.  

But this was a tragedy that needn’t have happened.  

Both climbers knew the dangers but wanted to be the first father and son to get to the top.  

They accepted the odds and lost.  

As an outsider looking-in just how much sympathy can one give, given before they even attached a crampon they were fully aware they had a 1 in 2 chance one of them would perish?   

If these extreme adventurers want to risk their lives then I applaud their bravery. 

Just don’t expect me to feel genuine sympathy when things go pear-shaped.

Climbing dangerous man-killing mountains isn’t compulsory even for those at the cutting edge of the sport.   

Call me a cruel bastard but I can’t see the deaths of mountaineers on K2 to be construed as shocking or calamitous.  

In the cold hard daylight there was a 50 per cent chance one of them was going to die.  

It’s just part of the territory.   

I do feel for their families. 
  
 
   

 

Friday, July 12, 2013

When it comes to corruption Religions score highly in the N.Z public’s mind.


Transparency International has done a global survey on perceptions of corruption.  

The results for New Zealand are listed first and in brackets the Australian comparison.  

Look who came in at number four?  

The Corruption Perceptions Index also ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. 

New Zealand was first equal at the right end along with Denmark and Finland.  

1.Political Parties 46% (58%)

2.Media 43% (58%)

3.Business 36% (47%)

4.Religions 35% (44%)

5.Parliament 33% (36%)

6.Public service 25% (35%)

7.Police 24% (33%)

8.Judiciary 20% (28%)

9.NGOs 19% (23%)

10.Health services 17% (20%)

11.Education systems 16% (19%)

12.Military 11% (25%)
 
If you enjoy a laugh be sure to watch this Kiwi band video.