Wow! Regardless of the circumstances of how they got lost out there, I find it nauseating to think that they're asking for donations for a bill they don't even know if they'll get. So irresponsibility is being followed with irresponsibility, and others are supposed to support them for it? This really is starting to seem like it's headed for a book deal and a round of the talk show circuit. I agree with the poster who chided them on the donation site: Take up a collection for the rescuer who was hurt.
What a joke to attempt to profit from their mistakes and other efforts (and in at least one case suffering). Next they'll be comparing themselves to the hiker in UT (or wherever) who cut his arm off to survive.
Haha. Heres part of the comment I sent to teh forest service last summer regarding the new planning for cnf: I also contend that hikers and equestrians are not necessarily better trail and forest stewards. It is my experience that often when I park at, say, Holy Jim trailhead, most of the “hikers” I see are obviously only going the half mile to the falls; its possible that if mountain bikers were excluded the upper reaches of the trails would get quickly overgrown (and then people will blaze their own trails). Also many of these “hikers” that I see in this area are not really out there to enjoy and respect nature but are just out there to get drunk/smoke(possibly start wildfires)/, get high, party,litter, etc. and really have no clue about wilderness ettiquette and stewardship. On the other hand, most of the mountain bikers I know are passionate about protecting and maintaining the national forest and its trail system, venture further in than hikers and can function as extra eyes and ears, and can get out faster if any kind of emergency issue needs to be reported. Not that Im opposed to hiking, I love hiking as much as riding. But the sierra clubs idea that all "hikers" walk on water and all mtbers are hooligans is just false. A big pet peeve of mine is all the cigarette butts at TOTW from all the young hipsters in their skinny jeans parking up there to "watch the sunset" while trying to get some action from the girl he brought with him, smoking cigs right next to the "no smoking or open fires in park" sign and in the middle of a landscape that only a complete fool does not realize is a F*&%ing tinderbox. Instead of banning one user group or another from the trails, can we just ban idiots? OK, rant and thread derail over.
I guess they will end up being spokesman for schools or charity work. In the diving world, there is a Agency/org for all divers benefit. They are called (DAN) Divers Alert Network. Covers Decompression chambers, Air lift's and allow you to call for any questions related to dive and medicine. Good idea. Dont see it, do i use the search engine on the Link ?
I just heard on the news today that taxpayers will be on the hook for paying for the entire cost of the sesrch and rescue. Lets remember this next time the county trys to bill a mtbiker for a search and rescue.
I do LOTS of hiking and have never hiked with anybody smoking. However, I have MTBed with Smokey and he smoked cigs on the trail. Usually at the top of climbs. my anecdotal evidence trumps yours.
Might be a topic for a separate thread, but I've seen numerous posts over the years here detailing circumstances where a person will or will not be billed for search and medevac costs. The short version as I recall it is that in CA, if you're not someplace you weren't supposed to be (ie: poaching/trespassing) and doing something you weren't supposed to be doing, then you generally don't get a bill. This may vary by county and state, and I'm sure there are others here who can provide details. Point is, there are a lot of different circumstances which may determine who foots the bill.
BTP, Thats because youre a hiker, not a "hiker"! I was pretty much sarcastically referring to people like the lost couple who just have no idea what theyre doing, and are referred to as "hikers" just because theyre on foot instead of on a bike or horse or whatever. Not serious hikers/outdoorsmen. Sorry if it came across differently.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/holy-jim-falls-trail-trabuco-canyon some humorous reading given the recent events....
Parts of 911 audio and parts of interview with kyndall jack. http://abcnews.go.com/m/video?id=18912438
