rescue

[ck1]

I'm curious what the group thinks about this issue...

Should someone have to pay, either a fine or % of cost, if they require rescue while in the backcountry?

250+ rescues a year at Grand Canyon...
numerous rescues @ Camelback...
lost hikers in the Sups...

Should people requiring the assistance of a rescue incur some of the expense for said rescue?
_________________
-Colin

"The Journey is the Destination"

[Daryl]

Ahh, someone else read backpacker magazine this month.

Forest Service (i.e. Grand Canyon) will charge you for a rescue if you did something stupid. If they determine you were not at fault it's no charge. Anywhere else in Arizona it's no charge.

I'd say no charge except for the people that do stuff that is stupid to the extreme like:
Heading out in the supes for the first time, in August, with no map, no water, and no knowledge of the trails, then assume the trail is a loop.
Rappeling off a cliff and running out of rope leaving yourself dangling on the end with no where to go.
Getting your truck stuck in the mud, after a night of drinking, and then leaving the truck trying to walk 12 miles home through the desert, in July, when you have diabetes and no water.
_________________

[evenstar]

What Daryl said.
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

[sam_hikes]

NPS at GC advertises you have to pay for any rescues but according to a few rangers they don't collect anymore. Not all rescues at the GC are done by NPS so others may be still charging.

A friend of a friend had to be rescued due to a broken leg on a GC Colorado River trip about 5 years ago--the pilot wanted to see their credit card b/4 taking off.

There have been a couple high profile rescues in the last couple of years at the GC--wonder if they got billed by the NPS? 1 GC rescue I recall was for a solo hiker who wasn't hurt but in simple terms overdue due to under estimating his EPIC TREK

[k9hiker]

I was just reading about this issue on a search and rescue site. Many of the SAR people are concerned if this becomes normal proceedure for their managing dept. people who need help wil be discouraged from calling until it's too late or from calling at all.

I agreee with Daryl that maybe there should be somekind of stupid rule or they should really encourage donations. I know that if I needed rescue, I'd be happy to write out a check to help the group if only as small token of my gratitude.
_________________
Jamie
Canine Hiking Club of AZ
www.mydog8az.com

[plummer150]

Sure. Your fault you were backpacking or hiking. Just the same with ambulance or fire company, you still have to pay them; at least here.
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"IRONMAN" cometh, hiketh, destroyeth

[mike t]

I think only if you request assistance. (or your contact at home sends in the marines)
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Mike T
---------------
less is more

[azhiker96]

I think folks should pay something for their rescue. That may help make folks plan ahead and then not need rescue. I bet it wouldn't be long before you could buy rescue insurance. (Maybe it's already available.?)

[mike]

[plummer150]

[overrocked]

Evenstar, good to know there is another Heinlein fan out there. Time enough for love has several examples of how people win the Darwin Award.
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Your life is dyed the color of your imagination

[k9hiker]

I think the families of peole who win Darwin awards should get money. Maybe this would be an insentive more more stupid people to go find a creative way to exit the planet. It could only help our species out in the long run. I would totally contribute to this fund.
_________________
Jamie
Canine Hiking Club of AZ
www.mydog8az.com