What's With All The Rescues?

[pmeadco]

Keep government the hell out of our lives.

Then I suppose the answer is to keep doing what we are doing (volunteer SAR with government assistance, when available) and if people die, well, that's the cost of freedom.

[XterraRob]

We are smart enough and can think of solutions on our own.

This assumption is about as dangerous as believing the government is smart enough to run itself properly.

[highpilgrim]

Because they are....Keep government the hell out of our lives...RANT

What's the guberment ever done for us??????

[AyeYo]

A HUGE block for any sort of licensing fee would be that it's public land you shouldn't have to pay to enter just to hike. That's sort of covered with the idea of a Libertarian outcry. But, that's still a pretty huge right that wouldn't be pretty to lose, especially since the vast majority don't seem to be having a huge problem not needing SAR.

At least with hunting, it makes total sense since you're extracting a resource (dinner, yum!)

That's a good angle. Hadn't looked at it that way. Maybe it needs to be presented differently.

Maybe there isn't really an easy solution, but I can't see letting things just continue how they are. That will eventually lead to brash, knee-jerk reaction sometime down the line when things get bad enough - and knee-jerk policy is rarely good policy.

[CheapCigarMan]

[oldschoolczar]

I tend to agree with not bringing bureaucrats into this. I'm not a libertarian and tend to lean left, but the mountains kinda seem like our last bastion of independence and solitude besides maybe the open sea! I certainly don't want to have to deal with permits and I don't think hiring more government goons to handle all of this is the answer.

How about we promote CORSAR cards a bit more? Raise the price a bit.. I think most of us would be willing to pay $10-$20+. The measly $3 is less than a coffee and really seems almost pointless. Raise the price and sell more. Put signs at trailheads. Put disclaimers on the sign that state that those without a CORSAR card may be responsible for a portion of their rescue costs and hold people accountable to that. Take your chances if you will... that should make all the freedom-obsessed goons happy!

[derekesq]

I tend to agree with not bringing bureaucrats into this. I'm not a libertarian and tend to lean left, but the mountains kinda seem like our last bastion of independence and solitude besides maybe the open sea! I certainly don't want to have to deal with permits and I don't think hiring more government goons to handle all of this is the answer.

How about we promote CORSAR cards a bit more? Raise the price a bit.. I think most of us would be willing to pay $10-$20+. The measly $3 is less than a coffee and really seems almost pointless. Raise the price and sell more. Put signs at trailheads. Put disclaimers on the sign that state that those without a CORSAR card may be responsible for a portion of their rescue costs and hold people accountable to that. Take your chances if you will... that should make all the freedom-obsessed goons happy!

As a proud libertarian and "freedom-obsessed goon" I agree. Hard line to walk on the price to charge, but $3.00 is low. I think many outdoor retailers (REI especially) do a good job highlighting and educating outdoor activity risks and I think this site, as well as others also do so. There is a big difference between someone having a heart issue and needing medical help on the incline (Runners World recently had a good article on incidents of runners in prime condition having heart issues) and someone who needed "rescue" because they were too tired. But other than encouraging people to properly train, know and be aware of their condition and surroundings, not sure how you can stop the later.

[CheapCigarMan]

[bking14ers]

How about we promote CORSAR cards a bit more? Raise the price a bit.. I think most of us would be willing to pay $10-$20+. The measly $3 is less than a coffee and really seems almost pointless. Raise the price and sell more. Put signs at trailheads. Put disclaimers on the sign that state that those without a CORSAR card may be responsible for a portion of their rescue costs and hold people accountable to that.

$21 would equal buying one for myself and six others. (I don't know the stats but I would bet that most that call for help didn't purchase one.) Compassionate? I think it would be.
I never heard of CORSAR cards until I started reading this thread...so only a couple of weeks or so ago now.
To follow your lead....I would gladly volunteer to print a PDF of a CORSAR ad and print them off and distribute them. Ask REI to post them at peak seasons. Etc. Etc....

Just small beginning ideas that would grow if this community finds it worthy enough to support.

Proof that we don't always need to spend money on lobbyists and legislators to try to cure all of our ales for us.

Trying to prevent noobs from risking their lives out there is a big undertaking. Explaining to someone not from CO that the air is thin up there, that rocks fall, or scree is like marbles just doesn't quite register as it should. I had to experience it to go, "Oh, that's what you were trying to tell me." Sometimes you just have to touch it before you know what "Hot" means. There's a lot of "mountain jargon" on here that I am still picking up as I learn. Many times I'll be out and reflect back on one of these posts or trip reports and go, so now I know what that word means. You can print it or shout it but sometimes it's just not heard. Someone from Wisconsin, Mississippi, Ohio, just aren't gonna get it, no matter how much you scream at them, until they experience it. (Maybe we should vote for free socialized Mountain Guides) (That was a joke that I'm sure I'll regret saying) Neither the government nor us as a community can stop all future, what this community might call, unwarranted calls, but we might prevent some with ideas like the ones expressed above.

I'm a noob but I'll try not to be a foolish one. I am grateful and honored to learn from you, this community. Even if that means putting up with your brashness at times....Hahaha

Yo. This "Ohio" boy has one. I get one every year.

[justiner]

Put disclaimers on the sign that state that those without a CORSAR card may be responsible for a portion of their rescue costs and hold people accountable to that.

It's sounds like a small thing, but a COSAR card isn't insurance, but if you make it compulsory, it kinda then is. If not insurance, it's a license to hike. Doesn't that sound weird? Could you imagine being asked for your hiking license by a roving ranger?

The whole, "Get government outta my Wilderness" argument is really strange. Who designates and manages this Wilderness? The government. Who helps with many of the rescues with military equipment and highly skilled individuals? The government. Who maintains the roads to the trailhead? The government. Who fights the wild fires when they get out of control? The government. Who runs the National Parks? The government.

Speaking of the government, this administration wants to cut a ton of funding from programs like the NFS, and the Dept. of the Interior (National Parks). If you are in love with these things, you may want to tell your local constituents in The Government not to cut funds to these departments...

[oldschoolczar]

It's sounds like a small thing, but a COSAR card isn't insurance, but if you make it compulsory, it kinda then is. If not insurance, it's a license to hike. Doesn't that sound weird? Could you imagine being asked for your hiking license by a roving ranger?

Yes, but it would NOT be compulsory. It's up to the individual, which would keep the libertarians happy.

So yes, it'd basically be a form of optional insurance. Just an idea... I"m with the other guy and don't really see this as a huge problem anyway. Thank god for the volunteers who do this out of the kindness of their hearts.

When you go into the wilderness, it should be at your own risk. It is the WILDERNESS. It's nice to still have rugged places like this on our planet where we have to rely on ourselves. I have a feeling places like this won't exist for the next generation.. maybe before that sadly.

[CheapCigarMan]