leadership

It seems to be every year that the news covers a rescue of scouts, a rescue that appears to be one that could have been avoided. The article that Ken links to raises some questions;
1) Why did the boys have to strip to undergarments? Were they not wearing synthetic garments that provided warmth even when wet? Did they take extra layers?
2) Did the adults consult a weather forecast?, fail to head warnings for adverse weather? In January, a forecast for 40% rain would concern me for precip at altitude. Was it a Weather Channel forecast? (notoriously bad in mountains)
3) Was the group forced to rely on a fire for heat? A fire for heat in wet, mountainous, winter terrain is not optimal (though better than nothing I suppose)

World class survival training cannot replace simple judgement.