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My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.
Aldous Huxley |
In New Hampshire, hikers who negligently cause themselves to become lost or injured - resulting in costly and dangerous rescues - may be billed for those rescue services. * The State of New Hampshire and U.S. Forest Service spend more than $260,000 annually on rescues. * Search and rescue of hikers in the White Mountains averages in the thousands per rescue. * Proper equipment for a winter hike or rescue mission costs as much as $4,000 per person. * Thousands of hours and personal equipment are provided by volunteers. The cost goes beyond the dollars and cents. Search and rescue involves professionals, such as New Hampshire Fish & Game and White Mountain National Forest personnel, as well as volunteers. These individuals put themselves at personal risk, sometimes in order to find a hiker who has behaved negligently. As an example of personal sacrifice, in 1982, volunteer Albert Dow, an experienced climber, lost his life in an avalanche while searching for overdue hikers. Remember, if you don't follow the Hiker Responsibility Code, you risk your own life and the lives of those with you - and you also put at risk the lives of those who would attempt to help you. You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared. |
Search and Rescue Is Costly
