[pct-l] who pays? - was:Search for Censored

[Bill Burge]

Responding to Mark's question, which is a valid one, and which I  
believe was asked in a non-judgmental manner with regards to this  
situation...

I purchased the "rescue insurance" option on my SPoT.  I'm not sure  
how it would be used in this sort of situation because I don't know  
how you would request it of the insurance company.  I got mostly  
because it was for my Jeep and vehicle extraction can be quite costly  
(and the SAR teams draw the line at saving your vehicle!  ;-)

As for WHEN to push the button, I was thinking that there were a  
number of options, but then I realized that I was making MY decisions  
with the benefit of current weather reports, doppler radar, a comfy  
couch and a Tivo swaking in my ear.  So I tried to place myself in the  
a different situation (yes, _based_ on that of Censored but only  
because that was readily available/unwinding):

I'm cold.  I'm geared for _mostly_ other weather; and some of the  
OTHER weather rolls in.  My last weather report was days ago and THIS  
wasn't really a part of it.  A quick dusting of snow and the trail is  
obscured and the features of the landscape go "shades of grey" with  
snow and clouds making navigation confusing.  I'm pretty sure I'm off  
the trail or, at a minimum, I don't feel I can find my way.

I could "hunker down", but I'm not sure how long this is gonna last  
(remember, last report days before and was clear) and my gear and  
supplies are marginal for "waiting things out" if this is going to  
last for more than a day or two.  I have two people who joined me and  
they are of varying experience and commitment.  That is to say, I've  
been on the trail for a month and a half and weathered many things but  
they have been on the trail less than a week and are not yet  
accustomed to "rolling with the punches".

To reuse the line from Speed:

"Pop quiz hotshot...  Unknown snow storm, can't find the trail, and  
two friends who think they're gonna die (maybe one is already  
hypothermic) - what do you do?"

What would I do?  No clue.  I've been to the pistol range and am quite  
competent with a hand gun, but I'm never had to shoot at a target  
that's shooting AT ME.

BillB


On Jun 4, 2009, at 11:08 AM, Mark Liechty wrote:

> An hour ago there were messages about where Search and rescue was.
> Assuming any resources were deployed who is going to pay the bill?
> Seems very unfair that we can head off on the trail and then demand
> services on a whim without being responsible for the costs.
>
> Not saying who is on the hook but someone has to pay.   Not sure that
> someone should be my parents who are having their benefits and pay cut
> and taxes raised.   If we don't pay out of pocket for these things  
> then
> we ARE demanding others pay for our mistakes.
>
> Assume getting off the trail and calling 911 =  mistake.
>
> And, yes, I am very glad everyone was safe as this is the perfect
> scenario to discuss who pays for the mistake.  The hikers or my mom.
>
> Mark "Blankie" Liechty
> mlaccs @ mlaccs . com
>
>
>
> Postholer wrote:
>> Yep, she found her way back to the trail! Map:
>> http://tinyurl.com/qksqv9
>>
>>
>>
>
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