My heart goes out to everyone involved along with their loved ones. We often forget that with our Alaskan adventures, there will always be risks involved. We all try to limit our risks. Nobody wants to have tragic endings for our recreational or subsistence activities. Even when everything is well planned, events do not always play out as planned.
Alaska is rugged; we​ pride ourselves on being tough and independent. We take great hospitality as our trademark. Our lives depend on all of this to survive. Visitors and the complacent view our grand state as a playground. It can be, but it is also rugged and unforgiving. We can never forget to respect that same ruggedness that we love. We can make living and playing in Alaska worthwhile as long as we continue to respect our environment and our people. Go, hug your loved ones, and respect this amazing environment that we love.  If Alaska were a park or a zoo where everything is always perfectly safe, most of us would cry bitter tears.