Millions tracked the search for the Kim family, missing for 14 days after the Thanksgiving holiday. Like the little girl in the well, or any community search, we were elated when the family was found, and we worried when dad was not with them.
A couple of observations:
A man must take action. It's the hardest thing in the world for us to just sit and wait. Photograpers will tell you to let the "shot" come to you. Football linebackers will "read" or intuit that a play is developing in a certain way, and flow toward the action to make their tackle. But it's the hardest thing in the world to just sit and wait. On Saturday, a week after getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, all other options were gone. James had to make something happen or the unthinkable might occur. It is a move any of us would have made. Set out with flags and banners (clothes), and find help. It is what a man does. Provide, protect, and pursue. I'm so sorry that you lost your life, but it was for a great and noble cause. May your wife and daughters never forget your courage.
As more facts emerge, authorities and outdoorsmen will reflect on missed opportunities and the several mistakes that were made, both by the Kims and those on the search. In the meantime, let's mourn with the Kim family, and take good care of James' widow and orphans. He earned at least that much, and we owe that much as our Christian duty.
(from SFGate.com) FOURTEEN DAYS LOST - Mileage
Route of car traveled on logging road BLM 34-8-36: 21.3 miles
James Kim's hike out on road: 11.5 miles
James Kim's hike down Big Windy Creek ravine: 4.7 miles
Total miles walked by James Kim: 16.2 miles
Distance to Black Bar Lodge from car (straight line): 3 miles
San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com) coverage: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/10/MNGVOMT3NJ1.DTL&hw=Kim+stranded&sn=001&sc=1000
CNN's coverage: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/11/griffin.oregon/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
A couple of observations:
- I'm not sure I would have thought of burning the tires for heat, as they did. James Kim only left when they burned their last tire - the spare tire.
- Kim walked for 16 miles before succumbing to the damp cold.
- He may have died the same day his family was rescued, two days after he went for help.
A man must take action. It's the hardest thing in the world for us to just sit and wait. Photograpers will tell you to let the "shot" come to you. Football linebackers will "read" or intuit that a play is developing in a certain way, and flow toward the action to make their tackle. But it's the hardest thing in the world to just sit and wait. On Saturday, a week after getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, all other options were gone. James had to make something happen or the unthinkable might occur. It is a move any of us would have made. Set out with flags and banners (clothes), and find help. It is what a man does. Provide, protect, and pursue. I'm so sorry that you lost your life, but it was for a great and noble cause. May your wife and daughters never forget your courage.
As more facts emerge, authorities and outdoorsmen will reflect on missed opportunities and the several mistakes that were made, both by the Kims and those on the search. In the meantime, let's mourn with the Kim family, and take good care of James' widow and orphans. He earned at least that much, and we owe that much as our Christian duty.
(from SFGate.com) FOURTEEN DAYS LOST - Mileage
Route of car traveled on logging road BLM 34-8-36: 21.3 miles
James Kim's hike out on road: 11.5 miles
James Kim's hike down Big Windy Creek ravine: 4.7 miles
Total miles walked by James Kim: 16.2 miles
Distance to Black Bar Lodge from car (straight line): 3 miles
San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com) coverage: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/10/MNGVOMT3NJ1.DTL&hw=Kim+stranded&sn=001&sc=1000
CNN's coverage: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/11/griffin.oregon/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
