Boston Dad defends taking kids on 'Corridor of death'

[zwiebel]

France is still scandalized and reeling by US dad Patrick Sweeney of Cambridge, Mass. who took his two kids age 9 and 11 up on one of Europe's deadliest mountains, Mont Blanc, and nearly lost them to an avalanche in the 'corridor of death'.

It happened last month, but wasn't well known until Dad posted the footage his camera caught online.

The article's in French but the video is in English, with footage of the moment the children get swept down the mountain. They are both safe, no thanks to Papa.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-fr...s-alpinistes-sur-le-mont-blanc-scandalise.php

“The locals call it the ‘Couloir de Mort’, or the ‘Corridor of Death’,” said Sweeney. The family then heard a hissing noise.
“My daughter said, ‘Dad it sounds like snakes,’ and I said, ‘Shannon it’s a lot worse than snakes.’”
It was an avalanche.
“The snow was like cement,” said Sweeney.

English language article here, where dad shrugs off any criticism: ' “It’s a heck of a lot better than having them sit at home wasting time... '

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/14/cambridge-family-survives-avalanche-at-mont-blanc/

 

[katydid23]

I don't know. Maybe sitting home would be a good thing for awhile.

 

[GoBrewers]

“If they can learn this lesson of courage while they’re young, then I’ve done an awesome job as a father.”

I'm on his team, clearly the kids have training and handled a pretty crazy event. No one was injured, I don't see the issue.

 

[LaLaw2000]

This is the type of Dad that will think he is awesome until something fatal happens. He should live out all of his dreams by himself until the kids are older and understand the danger of some things.

MOO

 

[zwiebel]

'The mayor of a French Alpine town lodged a complaint on Monday (July 29th, last month) against a man whose attempt to climb Mont Blanc with his young children to set a world record almost proved fatal.'

'Peillex had already slammed the attempt as "a demonstration of pride pushed to the extreme, to the point of putting the life of his own children in danger and boasting about it on a popular television channel." '

Boston resident Patrick Sweeney had wanted his children to set the world record for the youngest kids ever to make the ascent. I doubt the complaint will go any further, unless Sweeney chooses to return to France.

http://www.thelocal.fr/20140729/french-mayor-mont-blanc-children

 

[zwiebel]

20 professional climbers have died on Mount Blanc so far this year. Here are a couple of stories:

Bodies of five climbers found
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/13/climbers-bodies-found-mont-blanc-france

Friend watched as climber slowly slipped to his death
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...lowly-slipped-to-his-death-on-Mont-Blanc.html

Here is a roundup of some of the worst accidents that have taken place over the past decade. it's by no means inclusive of all deaths:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20140818/ten-of-mont-blancs-deadliest-accidents