[pct-l] who pays?

[Ellen Shopes]

Mark, I think you are a realistic pessimist!
Grand Canyon has, at times of budgetary shortages, billed for helicopter and 
rescue services.  This had a number of effects:
    1.  there were fewer 'rescues' because people didn't want to have to pay 
for the service
    2.  there were fewer helicopter accidents.  Sad to say, those who want 
to help the injured or ill hikers in the canyon do so at risk to everyones' 
lives.  Evacuations should (IMO) be reserved for those with truly 
life-threatening problems.
    3.  the backcountry was quieter without all those helicopters flying 
around.
    4.  Rangers took care of the sick and injured, instead of just shipping 
them on.  This is not to say that they don't still care, but that the ethic 
of 'emergency care' is to provide a few essential services and transport the 
individual.  Back in the 1980's, we often had a sick/injured person spending 
one or more days recovering from their problems enough to hike out on their 
own power.  Even if a person needed to get out, we were as likely to call 
for a litter and carry them as call a helicopter.
Elderly Ellen

>
> Just hoping that those on the trails of the USA quickly come to the same
> conclusion.  If you follow the daily stories on sacbee.com California is
> making some drastic decisions.  My guess is that they will not make the
> hard choices and instead will go bankrupt and wait to see what Obama
> does to fix the mess.
>
> At some point the solution to cost of hikers getting hurt and needing
> rescued is to close the trails and sell the property to pay for
> government spending in other places.
>
> If you think that is silly then look at the plans to sell Cal Expo (home
> of the State Fair) the LA Colosseum (Home of the 1906, 1984 Olympic
> games) and The Cow palace in SF (home of all kinds of Rodeo, horse and
> similar shows for over 100 years).     Each of these are used
> extensively and once gone will never be replaced.
>
> It is entirely possible that the class of 09 will be the last on the
> PCT.    At least the last that makes the hike in a LEGAL manner.
>
> Mark "Blankie" Liechty
> mlaccs @ mlaccs . com
>
>
>
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