7. Progressive Failure and Tales of Woe
Not that we are trying to scare you, but - perhaps we are...
Keith Gale and his friend Tim Allen (the REAL Tim Allen) have a presentation, linked here, they call Progressive Failure.
JumpShare GDrive
Calvin and Hobbes demonstrate this concept visually.
JumpShare GDrive
Keith Gale and his friend Tim Allen (the REAL Tim Allen) have a presentation, linked here, they call Progressive Failure.
JumpShare GDrive
Calvin and Hobbes demonstrate this concept visually.
JumpShare GDrive
The slowly toppling chain of dominoes that can lead to disaster is a frightening notion, but warns us all to be aware of our limitations and those of others.
I personally subscribe to the theory that this failure is not inevitable, and recovery can be achieved - but only with planning and usually some luck. A sunny day and a warm rock can work wonders in any recovery process.
That having been said, here are two cautionary tales. The first is truly frightening. The second is part of an enduring legacy of courage and perseverance despite dreadful and deadly conditions.
Mount Hood Tragedy
Shackleton
Here are two entries from Wikipedia - the first about the legendary expedition leader (see in particular the section on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition) and for extra credit, a more detailed discussion of that fraught expedition.
Consider how Progressive Failure played a role in each of these adventures. Note that Shackleton lived to tell the tale, and return to the Antarctic.
I just finished the book Endurance, by Alfred Lansing, It was riveting, and portrayed a leader who gave up his goal, but would not give up on rescuing his team - and who was very lucky!!!
Favorite Anecdote: Shackleton was on his way to Antarctica, sailing out of Buenos Aires. Unknown to him, a few of his men had smuggled a stowaway on board, Perce Blackboro. When Shackleton found out, his fury knew no bounds. He confronted the shaken Blackboro. "If we run out of food and anyone has to be eaten, you will be first!"
Blackboro survived the journey, serving as assistant cook.
You should, at a minimum, know how to find Polaris in the winter sky, assuming it is visible, to help determine which direction is north.
The sun's position at dawn and dusk should get you close to east and west. During the winter this is also slightly south.
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i just finished another great read, called Island of the Lost; Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett. She details two groups of sailors shipwrecked on Auckland Island, south of New Zealand and Tasmania. Under dreadful conditions, one group survives and manages to rescue themselves by building a boat. The other group succumbed, for the most part, to Progressive Failure. Highly recommended!
I just finished the book Endurance, by Alfred Lansing, It was riveting, and portrayed a leader who gave up his goal, but would not give up on rescuing his team - and who was very lucky!!!
Favorite Anecdote: Shackleton was on his way to Antarctica, sailing out of Buenos Aires. Unknown to him, a few of his men had smuggled a stowaway on board, Perce Blackboro. When Shackleton found out, his fury knew no bounds. He confronted the shaken Blackboro. "If we run out of food and anyone has to be eaten, you will be first!"
Blackboro survived the journey, serving as assistant cook.
LOST!
Here are some important considerations when visibility is limited and your ability to determine your location is limited (or your GPS runs out of battery!) STOP!
You should, at a minimum, know how to find Polaris in the winter sky, assuming it is visible, to help determine which direction is north.
The sun's position at dawn and dusk should get you close to east and west. During the winter this is also slightly south.
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i just finished another great read, called Island of the Lost; Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett. She details two groups of sailors shipwrecked on Auckland Island, south of New Zealand and Tasmania. Under dreadful conditions, one group survives and manages to rescue themselves by building a boat. The other group succumbed, for the most part, to Progressive Failure. Highly recommended!
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