Tired From a Tough Hike? Rescuers Fear Yuppie 911

The New York Times ^

[Ge0ffrey]

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Last month two men and their teenage sons tackled one of the world's most unforgiving summertime hikes: the Grand Canyon's parched and searing Royal Arch Loop. Along with bedrolls and freeze-dried food, the inexperienced backpackers carried a personal locator beacon -- just in case.

In the span of three days, the group pushed the panic button three times, mobilizing helicopters for dangerous, lifesaving rescues inside the steep canyon walls.

What was that emergency? The water they had found to quench their thirst ''tasted salty.''

If they had not been toting the device that works like Onstar for hikers, ''we would have never attempted this hike,'' one of them said after the third rescue crew forced them to board their chopper. It's a growing problem facing the men and women who risk their lives when they believe others are in danger of losing theirs.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Give the the BAA surcharge.

[Mmogamer]

Charge ‘em.. might make them think twice.

[Yorlik803]

Yep. The cost of a Chopper, the SAR teams put on standby, the lives put at risk due to these bozos...
A half a mil should do nicely.....can we put that on the AMEX card???

[lastchance]

Anybody who figures they can always rely on technology to get them out of a life threatening situation is a fool. Always assume the worse can happen. Gadgets break down, gadgets get damaged, gadgets get lost. If you do not have the knowledge and skill to go it on your own should the bad shit happen. Then make alternate plans.

And I say this as someone who is not at all the hike the ridge sort of gal or even hike the bunny trail gal.

[hinckley buzzard]

Obama voters, all. Americans ain't what they used to be.

[Muzzle_em]

charge them A LOT! The device should come with a warning which spells out the fact that they WILL BE CHARGED for their rescue, so they should think twice about calling for help.

[Gorzaloon]

"In September, a hiker from Placer County was panning for gold in New York Canyon when he became dehydrated and used his rescue beacon to call for help."

Panning for gold.

Isn't that done in RIVERS and STREAMS?

What are rivers and streams made out of?

[Tijeras_Slim]

How are canyons usually made? What’s in the bottom of them? :)

[dusttoyou]

Obama voters, all. Americans ain’t what they used to be.

Obama voters, ain’t Americans. There fixed!

Note that “some” Americans are still able to survive in rough situations, probably many more than the lib/dems suspect.

[Peter Horry]

That’s easy, you deliver them to the entrance the first time (with a warning), take whatever legal actions are available after that.

[Fred Hayek]

From a Euphorian point of view: Well, if hiking is so dangerous, then hiking should be banned. Besides we don’t think humans should be in the wilderness disturbing the cute animals.

Euphorian: a term from Joe Soucheray defining liberals who think that everyone need to be protected from themselves to a maximum degree.

[fso301]

In September, a hiker from Placer County was panning for gold in New York Canyon when he became dehydrated and used his rescue beacon to call for help.

Dumb@ss must have run out of Evian.

[bgill]

Panning for gold. Isn't that done in RIVERS and STREAMS? What are rivers and streams made out of?

But, but drinking water comes in plastic bottles!!!

[Bad Jack Bauer]

But, but drinking water comes in plastic bottles!!!

Years ago I slaughtered a small goat and put him on a spit for a family barbeque. When it was deliciously done I asked my niece why she was not eating any. She said, "I am not eating any of that meat because it comes from a dead animal."

Having seen her eat meat before I said, "What about the meat you ate yesterday? Where do you think that came from?"

She said, "That comes from the store!"

"Where do you think they get it?"

"They make it there!"

[pmac]

Gotta love em, I laughed for ever upon reading this one

[Red in Blue PA]

Why in the world aren't they charged every dime?????

[bgill]

"I am not eating any of that meat because it comes from a dead animal."

I know a woman claims she's a vegetarian. She'll buy a pepperoni pizza and pick off the pepperonis. It ticks me off royally that she thinks throwing meat into the garbage is better than eating it. Poor pig. And let's not even reason with her that the pepperoni juice/fat gets all into the pizza she's eating. Oh, and then she didn't know that the white cubes in pork 'n beans were pork. Naw, they just put "pork" on the label for grins and giggles... sigh....

[patriot preacher]

Oh good grief.

[Richard Kimball]

How are canyons usually made? What’s in the bottom of them? :)

Dead hikers. What does that have to do with gold panning? ;0)

[Bad Jack Bauer]

I know a woman claims she's a vegetarian. She'll buy a pepperoni pizza and pick off the pepperonis.

I love to tease vegitarians that are all high and mighty about it. I tell them I prefer veal to beef because baby calves are cuter and taste better. Cabrito (baby goat) to adult goat for the same reason. I ask them if they ever had any baby seal. They always say no and I always tell them it is the best tasting meat in the world because it comes from the cutest animal in the world. Baby pandas and lion cubs must taste absolutely delicious!

[bgill]

lol

[Lurker]

If you dehydrate in Placer County you're beyond stupid. You can't swing a dead cat there without hitting fresh water.

[Plutarch]

I used one of these backpacking in Yosemite this summer. I’d send my wife I’m “okay” messages, so she could follow our progress. In the dark I pressed what I thought was the on/off, but instead hit the 911. I didn’t realize it for 20 minutes, then I hit OK repeatedly. We were located in a ranger patrolled campground, so luckily no one sent out a copter. It is real easy with the device we used to hit 911 by mistake.

[Moltke]

Dead hikers. What does that have to do with gold panning?

Now THAT made me laugh. Thanks.

I remember hiking the Bright Angel Trail when I was 14 or so. Had one of those two quart Coleman canteens for water. That was empty by the time I got down to the river. On the way back in the afternoon sun to the plateau and next potable water source I learned a lot about being really, really thirsty. Lesson learned.

[DPMD]

National government-run rescue insurance.

[hennie pennie]

"I know a woman claims she's a vegetarian. She'll buy a pepperoni pizza and pick off the pepperonis."

If she isn't deficient in Vitamin B-12, then she probably is very low on iron, and obviously doesn't have enough carnitine in her system, for which beef is the best source.

B-12, iron, and carnitine are needed for cognitive function. I know it's frustrating to you, but she probably simply isn't thinking straight -- and as the years go by her ability to reason will further deteriorate, as it sounds like she's done NO research whatsoever on vegetarianism, so she's likely to have a really unbalanced diet, and it will show up as her inability to think straight.

You may wonder, "WHAT was she thinking???" -- without realizing that she probably can't. :)

[Belasarius]

Sorry man. They were dry-panning. Google it.

[TASMANIANRED]

Slap them with a bill for services.

[bgill]

You may wonder, "WHAT was she thinking???" -- without realizing that she probably can't. :)

"Can't" is probably true but since she was little she's been a drama queen/hypochondriac/air head so who knows which came first.