Hi Rob and list,
Great question, why do it? "Because it's there", as spoken by British climber George Mallory in 1924 when he was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest. It's kind of funny you ask now. I just had a phone conversation a couple days ago with Mike. We both enjoy the thrill of the chase, the excitement of the unknown and experiencing different cultures. The risk is always there but is part of the "drive" that keeps us going. I am single, without children, so I can take these risks without worrying.
One of my most "adventurous" trips was to Kenya right before the deadline when the US was to invade Iraq, see 'Meteorite Magazine' August 2003 article I wrote, when Dave Marsocci, myself and others went there to search out desert regions for the allusive black stones we crave . If you do not have the magazine, I will be happy to email you the article (out of copies, sorry). (Be sure to subscribe if not already there, at http://www.meteor.co.nz/ )
Other "fun" expeditions are in the Moroccan/Algerian border, or "disputed zone" as coined by both sides, Egypt,, etc, Those and others I have written about, or plan to... a side note, here is my article of my recent treasure hunting of Spanish gold after the hurricanes here in Florida http://atocha1622.com/GregHupe.htm
Take care all and happy hunting whatever you pursue,
Greg
----- Original Message ----- From: "Matson, Robert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Michael Farmer '" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 1:22 AM
Subject: RE: [meteorite-list] Morocco new fall news.
Hi Mike and List,
Hello everyone, I have just arrived back in Tucson after one of the most difficult and dangerous trips I have ever done. I was in Morocco for the last week to investigate the new fall and a new Pallasite. Everything that could have gone wrong on this trip, did, so I left Morocco very quickly and returned home. <snip>
Quite the harrowing story! Thanks for sharing it with the list. Your experience should give people pause -- a moment to step back and evaluate life's priorities. We all love meteorites, but it's important to maintain some perspective. Space rocks are not worth incarceration, let alone injury or death. When I read about your experiences, as well as some others that have appeared in just the last year on the pages of Meteorite Magazine, I wonder why you (and they) risk it. Of course, I realize everyone has a risk vs. reward threshold, and there is certainly a thrill aspect to just barely avoiding a really bad situation.
If Morocco and the western Sahara in general were the only "games" in town, I could understand the appeal. But if meteorites are the true end-goal, then it seems to me that anyone living in the U.S. has the advantage of deserts in their own backyard. Why risk life and limb (and foreign food/water intestinal distress ;-) when there are plenty of meteorites waiting to be found in your own home state, or its desert neighbors?
Which segues into an ironic thought that occurred to me earlier this year: many people have wondered when and where the next "NWA" is going to occur. Perhaps it's quietly already happening in the western US.
--Rob ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
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