Re: [at-l] Today's Boston Globe

[Debbie_Smith@Millipore.com]

Wisperlight said:

<<if i do something careless i do not deserve to be rescued nor do i prolly have
the money.  they will be turned back by me if i am conscience. "No Thanks A$$
Hole" is all they here from me.  i never asked them to rescue me in the first
place.>>

(clip)

<<i have nothing good to say about new hampshire now.>>

That's too bad that you feel like that.  If you read the article again you'll
see that they are contemplating charging "hikers deemed reckless" not everyone
who needs rescue. They also talk about the increasing unpreparedness of hikers
they've seen.  I think it's a good idea.  If someone goes out prepared and
something happens that they need rescue, by all means that's what the teams are
there for.  However if someone goes out equipped with only a cell phone and the
clouds or night rolls in... I don't think they should assume someone will come
get them because they didn't prepare.  I know this is ongoing debate.

Lots of folks think they should be rescued no matter what - even if it's their
own ignorance that got them into trouble.  I just finished doing a research
paper on cell phone use in the backcountry (and it's corresponding by-products
like cell phone towers) and it's amazing what people call for help for!  People
call because they have a map & compass but don't know how to use them, because
they didn't bring any overnight gear but they are on a mountaintop and won't be
out by nightfall, because it's getting dark and they don't have flashlights...
one guy called because he was in Olympic Natl Park in the backcountry and was
going to be a day late for a meeting so he wanted a helicopter pickup!  It's
just amazing the stories I found.  And those people think the rescuers OWE it to
them to come get them.

Lots of times those rescuers are volunteers.  I'm glad they're there.  And if
some day I go out and have some accident and break my leg or have a tree fall on
me and need rescue, I sure want them to be there to come help me... instead of
having no volunteers because they got sick of going out on stupid calls for
unprepared people.  If charging people who are deemed reckless will make people
think twice before they pick up that phone to call for someone to come get them
I think that's good.  If someone really needs a rescue they shouldn't hesitate
to call (or if they're not conscious have someone else find them and call).  But
I think this is aimed at stopping the calls for rescue because someone ran out
of cigarettes or went out with no food or water for a 15 mile hike, or doesn't
want 'help' they want someone to come GET them and carry them out.  JMHO.

As for New Hampshire, well I wasn't too thrilled when they instituted the
parking permit system but they have SO many people using those trails they are
doing what they think they need to... I don't necessarily agree.  But just take
a drive by Lincoln Woods, or Pinkham Notch, or up on Rt. 2 north of Madison any
summer weekend and you'll see cars overflowing the parking lots and running down
the sides of the roads... just a little overcrowding.  Personally I now park at
friends houses and catch a ride to trailheads whenever possible.  But like Mags,
I cut my teeth on the Whites and they'll always be home.  I love New Hampshire.

Twilight
GA>ME '98


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