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Why would anybody hike here?

A Vestigial Mote

Well-Known Member
Saw this on the news this morning. The question that came to my mind was, why would any American couple with the wife seven months pregnant go hiking in Afghanistan in a Taliban stronghold?:confused: Thoughts?

American Woman and Family Held for 5 Years in Afghanistan Freed From Militants
My thoughts are that it is sad we have to worry about simply "walking" in any particular part of the world. Who truly "owns" Afghanistan? Or the U.S.? Or even the molecules that make up your body? We only ever have any of it on loan, for a very brief time, and then we're gone. Perhaps these people were simply trying to walk in an interesting part of the world. Anyone who felt is was their right to stop them in that endeavor has strongly deluded themselves.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
My thoughts are that it is sad we have to worry about simply "walking" in any particular part of the world. Who truly "owns" Afghanistan? Or the U.S.? Or even the molecules that make up your body? We only ever have any of it on loan, for a very brief time, and then we're gone. Perhaps these people were simply trying to walk in an interesting part of the world. Anyone who felt is was their right to stop them in that endeavor has strongly deluded themselves.

But those "delusions" were armed with AK47 rifles. Personally if I want an interesting place to hike, Colorado is much safer and prettier than Afghanistan.
 

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
But those "delusions" were armed with AK47 rifles. Personally if I want an interesting place to hike, Colorado is much safer and prettier than Afghanistan.
We're not really seeing the family's side of the story so I can't comment on what compelled them specifically, but I've seen people intentionally challenge borders and comfort lines to remarkable success before. Swedish Woman Runs 1144 Miles Alone Through Iran Not as dangerous as armed insurgents, surely. But also considered to be more dangerous than Colorado by a good deal.
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
It's probably not as idiotic as I was when I walked a few miles on a 117 F. degree day where there's no shade to where David hid from Saul when I was still trying to recover from the flu. Not one of my more intelligent moves.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
My thoughts are that it is sad we have to worry about simply "walking" in any particular part of the world. Who truly "owns" Afghanistan? Or the U.S.? Or even the molecules that make up your body? We only ever have any of it on loan, for a very brief time, and then we're gone. Perhaps these people were simply trying to walk in an interesting part of the world. Anyone who felt is was their right to stop them in that endeavor has strongly deluded themselves.

I suppose it would largely hinge on awareness of where someone is actually walking. No one has any right to stop them from walking, but sometimes it happens just the same. That's the reality. Apart from that, some areas are also dangerous in terms of terrain and local wildlife. I remember a few years ago when a hiker got lost, so she wanted to set a signal fire to alert authorities to her location, and ended up starting a huge forest fire that burned thousands and thousands of acres.

No one would argue that she didn't have the right to go walking somewhere, but for Pete's sake, people should have some sort of plan depending on where they're going to walk. They should have awareness of the pitfalls, dangers, and risks they're taking if they decide to go walking in a particular area.
 

leibowde84

Veteran Member
My thoughts are that it is sad we have to worry about simply "walking" in any particular part of the world. Who truly "owns" Afghanistan? Or the U.S.? Or even the molecules that make up your body? We only ever have any of it on loan, for a very brief time, and then we're gone. Perhaps these people were simply trying to walk in an interesting part of the world. Anyone who felt is was their right to stop them in that endeavor has strongly deluded themselves.
Nevertheless, their stupidity is without question. It's true that the situation is sad in Afghanistan, but ignoring it and risking the lives of your family to "walk in an interesting part of the world" is almost criminal. And, they endangered the lives of those who had to rescue them. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Just because something is unjust, doesn't mean you can ignore it and risk the lives of others. They did something so stupid and selfish, they should be punished for it. But, I guess they already were.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
We're not really seeing the family's side of the story so I can't comment on what compelled them specifically, but I've seen people intentionally challenge borders and comfort lines to remarkable success before. Swedish Woman Runs 1144 Miles Alone Through Iran Not as dangerous as armed insurgents, surely. But also considered to be more dangerous than Colorado by a good deal.

If someone is going to go somewhere like that (North Korea is another example) where it is known you are not welcome and will be captured or killed if caught, there should be the understanding that you do so at your own risk and we are not risking someone else's life to come get you.
 
but I've seen people intentionally challenge borders and comfort lines to remarkable success before. Swedish Woman Runs 1144 Miles Alone Through Iran Not as dangerous as armed insurgents, surely. But also considered to be more dangerous than Colorado by a good deal.

It's not much of a comparison really. Outside of a few border areas Iran isn't really a dangerous country for a Swede.

The Iranian government isn't going to kidnap her, and the people of Iran are among the most secular in the region. The government is more extreme than most of the population, and anyway Shia extremists aren't really concerned with Westerners (outside of any involvement in local conflicts).
 

A Vestigial Mote

Well-Known Member
I suppose it would largely hinge on awareness of where someone is actually walking. No one has any right to stop them from walking, but sometimes it happens just the same. That's the reality. Apart from that, some areas are also dangerous in terms of terrain and local wildlife. I remember a few years ago when a hiker got lost, so she wanted to set a signal fire to alert authorities to her location, and ended up starting a huge forest fire that burned thousands and thousands of acres.

No one would argue that she didn't have the right to go walking somewhere, but for Pete's sake, people should have some sort of plan depending on where they're going to walk. They should have awareness of the pitfalls, dangers, and risks they're taking if they decide to go walking in a particular area.
I only said it was sad that we have to take these considerations of safety of areas into consideration, not that we shouldn't take such precautions.

My other comments were more to point out the futility of people laying claim to an area to the point that they feel the need to "defend" it against pregnant women. This says loads about the mentality of the captors. Not sure "deluded" alone actually does them justice.
 

SabahTheLoner

Master of the Art of Couch Potato Cuddles
Despite there being tourist-safe non-military zones, the Middle East is still struggling with extremists and it's a real threat at others can be kidnapped when traveling alone or in small groups. Although this is the same everywhere else with a real struggle of some nature. Travel isn't always 100% garenteed to be safe, but it should be considered that some places are currently less safe than others.
 

A Vestigial Mote

Well-Known Member
Nevertheless, their stupidity is without question. It's true that the situation is sad in Afghanistan, but ignoring it and risking the lives of your family to "walk in an interesting part of the world" is almost criminal. And, they endangered the lives of those who had to rescue them. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Just because something is unjust, doesn't mean you can ignore it and risk the lives of others. They did something so stupid and selfish, they should be punished for it. But, I guess they already were.
I don't deny it was a bad choice for a stroll - you wouldn't see me doing it.

And I actually didn't make any comments on the soundness of their choice. The only thing I pointed out is that those involved who believe it is their place to capture and detain a family - especially one containing a pregnant woman aren't necessarily of sound mind.

I don't recommend anyone go off into dangerous territory just for the heck of it - but at the same time, doesn't blaming those people for their choices detract from the real issue? Which, I feel, is that the particular residents of the country they were walking in who think it is okay to simply abduct harmless people without provocation are complete and utter morons, deserving of their own punishment.
 
Despite there being tourist-safe non-military zones, the Middle East is still struggling with extremists and it's a real threat at others can be kidnapped when traveling alone or in small groups. Although this is the same everywhere else with a real struggle of some nature. Travel isn't always 100% garenteed to be safe, but it should be considered that some places are currently less safe than others.

Afghanistan isn't in the Middle East.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Saw this on the news this morning. The question that came to my mind was, why would any American couple with the wife seven months pregnant go hiking in Afghanistan in a Taliban stronghold?:confused: Thoughts?

American Woman and Family Held for 5 Years in Afghanistan Freed From Militants

You make choices, for whatever your reasoning is and have to deal with the consequences of those choices.

You weigh the risks. There is always a risk of failure/catastrophe. Sometimes you feel you will beat the odds. Feelings, if I haven't mentioned this before, are not very reliable.

Anyway they survived, perhaps now they will write a book and make lots of money from it.

It's always easy to pass judgement when the results of an actions have come to pass. Prior however, there is always a bit of the unknown.
 

BSM1

What? Me worry?
Saw this on the news this morning. The question that came to my mind was, why would any American couple with the wife seven months pregnant go hiking in Afghanistan in a Taliban stronghold?:confused: Thoughts?

American Woman and Family Held for 5 Years in Afghanistan Freed From Militants

I wondered why they were there years ago when they were captured. Unless I overlooked it the article never explained this. If they were just "innocent (and pregnant) hikers" then they had to be the dumbest or the most unluckiest of us all.
 

SabahTheLoner

Master of the Art of Couch Potato Cuddles
Afghanistan isn't in the Middle East.

It's closer to Asia but culturally its influenced by Islam more than some of its neighbors. I guess that's what I was thinking about. I've heard that it was in Asia but most of those people also lump Israel and Turkey with Asia.
 
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