Social Faux Paw wrote:
Rojo is not gloating. What these guys do is just dumb and moronic especially with their no oxygen, no safety line, no back up decisions. They are just stupid.
Part of the criteria for qualifying for a Darwin Award is cluelessness. The person who keeps track of the award has maintained that daredevils who are killed in action don't qualify for a Darwin as presumably they have decided that the reward of the activity is worth the risk for them, personally.
I've done my share of mountaineering and read plenty of climbing books, as well. A disproportionate number of the top mountaineers are very intelligent, often possessing PhDs in specialties like math, physics and engineering. Most people who excel at climbing love problem-solving and challenging themselves. If you are pursuing ambitious goals, oftentimes it makes sense to cut corners on safety, such as not using or carrying a rope, as you can cover ground more quickly/efficiently and save energy. The downside is the increased risk, although being able to move quickly through dangerous areas can often mean less risk overall.
There is definitely a certain amount of idealism involved in the activity. You'll hear climbers say things like: "You can't truly appreciate the gift of being alive unless you occasionally look death in the face."