Very, very careless. I agree with you.

They made foolish choices and I hope that this story serves as a cautionary tale to others.

Someone commented on this story on Facebook with 2 words.......

brave idiot.

I think that pretty much covers it.

Don't be so harsh. There are many cases of maps showing roads without the note that they are open only in summer, and stupid GPS systems that don't know that, either.

Sushi, good point; I read it (above) as that they went "off-roading" - - - meaning intentionally doing so to have fun in the show off-road. Perhaps I misunderstood. If it was an accident that they were out there, I take back my "shaming".

Guess I don't understand this story. I don't know if they were planning to go off road but as I understand it they were actually on a road that wasn't supposed to be open (but was) and when they got stuck there was no cell reception. The wife was a marathoner and the husband just had surgery for a broken back so it seems that they did the most sensible thing in having her try to go for help. I don't think they would have been found otherwise. Yes, they were foolish in my estimation for being where they were in that weather with a child but feel they made the best choice they could for getting out of there. Im just glad there are ok.

In a way, this reminds me of people who refuse to vacate their homes in the path of natural disasters. Then, when their situation becomes dire enough, they beg for help from emergency personnel.

Here's a story from 9 years ago with a tragic ending. What decisions would you make?

sushipup.....I just posted when you did.....:0) THAT was a story that stood out to me.....I remember it well....

Little bug, and they keep their kids with them.

isnt that "child indangerment"?

Should be.

Yeah.....if you leave the child in the car...by themselves...they freeze to death.

Colorado mother leaves 2 year old in car after accident

what if the CO mom hit her head because of the accident and didn't fully realize her child was still in the car? That'd be awful. Almost worse than doing it on purpose? I'd be tormented. It's awful no matter why it happened.

No better word to use than fools.

The areas in and around numerous western national parks are dangerous. Fatalities are an annual event in many. Millions visit them every year while handfuls spend their last days there following incidents of bad luck or, more often, bad judgement. There's only so much that can be done to protect people from themselves.

I am in total agreement with all that Elmer said.

When I heard the story, I couldn't help but think what idiots they were. They were lucky they all survived.

I hope you guys never need help after having an accident. I find it hard to belittle people that love to live...

The first part that bothered me was that they were off road at the Grand Canyon. Are there any approved off road areas there?

(Not that I think there should be any recreational off road driving anywhere)

Why was he out bouncing around in a Jeep or S.U.V. right after back surgery?

Etc.

Speaking of those making foolish decisions placing themselves and others in distressful situations I was on the throne and in process at a restaurant one time and an old man came in to the Men's, starting yelling he needed to get into the stall.

Then another duffer came in, saw the situation and turned it into a duet.

The problem you see was that the first man had just had a surgery that reduced his ability to control his bowels.

So of course he goes out to a restaurant, and perhaps orders a big greasy meal as well.

The second guy in particular couldn't believe that I didn't come flying out of there the minute the stricken man started making a ruckus.

I guess I was just supposed to pull my pants right up and evacuate.

The stall as well as something else.

It wasn't an accident they got stuck in the snow. They got stuck in the snow because they didn't heed the warning that the main road is closed. If the main road is closed only an idiot would think they could get through using back roads. They were in a rental car. Fools.

Loving to live or having a zest for life's adventures isn't a free pass granting immunity to the world's obvious hazards, immortality or a standing excuse for doing stupid things.

A physician in my general area (whom I'd met before) was an outdoors-man, adventurer and experienced skier. About 10 days before Christmas, he was up in the Sierra skiing. I guess unable to resist the urge to go down a virgin slope, he and a friend hiked uphill (that's an accomplishment in itself) to do so. Problem was, the slope he chose to go down was closed and not yet cleared of unstable snow. He started down and, no surprise, triggered an avalanche. His body was found the next day buried under 10 feet of snow. Any experienced skier will tell you that it was a bonehead move, it's a shame he had to lose his life for not having more sense and self-control.

So, as for this family of three going off-roading in the snow near the Grand Canyon - they were lucky. Hopefully they realize it and will use better judgement in the future, but they may not. Not everyone learns from mistakes.

I'm amazed when people capable enough to be doctors do utterly careless stuff. Like molesting patients. Or dying in avalanches they themselves caused.

People who have successfully attained the high academic achievement needed for entry to health-related doctorate programs don't necessarily have anything other than school smarts. Many do but many also don't. Many I've met with little common sense have inflated views of their own competence in areas outside their technical/professional training and those are the ones who can really get themselves and others into trouble. I don't know if that description fits Barker or not, but it's a tragedy for his friends and family all the same.

Here's a link

Ski accident Dr. Thomas Barker

I'm thinking of ones who have founded and operated successful practices. Barker, according to your description was in addition an experienced skier. Yet, somehow...

The first thing that came to mind when I read the story was the fact they evidently hadn't checked to make sure the Grand Canyon was open before heading up there.