When you are trapped on a mountain...

[emperor_black]

...and get resuced by 10 rescuers, a chopper, ambulance and what not...who takes care of the bill? Is it all tax-payers money or do you get slapped with a $200,000 bill?

[Newc]

Why, you going on a trip?

[Argos]

Depends on who rescues you and why you were up there. If say, a fire department chopper rescued you with some volunteers you probably wouldn't be responsible for that. But some air ambulances are private and will bill you like a regular ambulance. And if you're up there because you were doing something stupid that you shouldn't have been like trespassing or skiing in a illegal zone, you can be charged for public services like a fire department rescue.

[jackson1]

...and get resuced by 10 rescuers, a chopper, ambulance and what not...who takes care of the bill?

Discovery Channel, if you sell them the rights.

[Special-K]

They charge you ...
You make better a resuirance for that

[GodOfRhythm]

Yeah, it really depends on the country and state. Usually there are funds you can enroll in, for very cheap, which will cover all of your costs if you ever need to be rescued.

[fett]

I feel very strongly about this. If the climbers have some sort of rescue fund that's great. But, is these people choose to go climb a mountain and put themselves in danger and then need to be rescued, they should pay for every penny that the taxpayers had to fork over to pluck their asses out.

[buzzsaww]

Why? Costs have already been projected, budgeted and taxed for. The salaries, fuel, equipment etc... If they need more money they ask for it during the next fiscal period. Why should they get paid twice?

I feel very strongly about this. If the climbers have some sort of rescue fund that's great. But, is these people choose to go climb a mountain and put themselves in danger and then need to be rescued, they should pay for every penny that the taxpayers had to fork over to pluck their asses out.

[fett]

Because, mountain climbing is an exotic sport practiced by a few people. If they are going to play, they need to pay.

[Rsmacker]

I think more of you nice American folk should come over to Wales, a quaint English town, then go exploring Snowdonia (a theme park) in your finest Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sneakers, with your massive cameras*.
Remember to tell your Mountain Rescue Team that you have better helicopters and bigger mountains back home.
You can then get to experience FREE helicopter bungee-jumping!!!!! (Tip: Bring Nikon camera, their neckstraps last the longest)


If you go out on a mountain unprepared, you should get bummed for the cost of a rescue. If you are the victim of an accident, or circumstance, well, it's a service, be more careful next time.


* Ah yes, dumb cliches make the world go round, no matter how inaccurate they are!

[buzzsaww]

that's a cop out

Because, mountain climbing is an exotic sport practiced by a few people. If they are going to play, they need to pay.

[fett]

No, it's not. Two guys decide to climb a snowcovered mountain. We have some good ones here in Washington. They get stranded or worse. To save these guys numerous people risk their lives. Helicopters; search and rescue; airlifts and thousands and thousands of dollars. The rescue people fight the same awful weather and conditions that our two climbers got caught up in. It's not like climbing Everest. One slip there and that's it. Here, they get stuck and get rescued if they haven't frozen to death. When you parachute and things go wrong, it's just a matter of clean-up. When climbers get stuck on a mountain, 50 people and all that equipment are needed. They should pay for the rescue.

[sk8boardbob2]

I'm pretty sure if it's at a national park and the park rangers have to rescue you you don't have to pay for it. Their thinking was that someone in danger who might not thinks they can't afford to call for help wouldn't and might get injured or die because of that.

[fett]

What? We are not talking about a hiker that slips and falls on a trail in a park. And not skiers that stay inbounds. These climbers are self-centered idiots, as far as I am concerned. If they want to climb a mountain, that's fine. Let them post a $100,000 bond before they set out to play "King of the Hill"

[emperor_black]

yes, I am talking about big time rescues...choppers, sniffing dogs and all that. These over-confident mountaineers who get trapped in bad weather 14000 ft. up the mountain.