[Seahawk]

I have always divided risks into two categories: calculated and those taken in ignorance.

I have taken many calculated risks in my life and a few (ok, many) in ignorance. While I am accomplished in some areas of adventure, I am painfully reticent to engage in others. When I was young a lot of the guys I ran rivers with were climbers, very good climbers. I got to the point where I was comfortable rock hopping, then bigger climbs on belay but when pressed to try riskier climbing, I deferred, not my deal.

Plan for failure, learn for your mistakes...never kayak alone, know the river or scout each rapid, bring the right gear for success and trouble, etc.

Then expect to be wrong.

I admire the family of this young woman and have hopefully passed on some of her same tenacity to my children.