You said -- "And, they are. I believe that's SOP."
Where do you get that idea. It's never been that way on Mt. Hood. We've got thousands going up there all the time. There are rapidly changing weather conditions and things like that happen quickly. I don't believe the people in Oregon want charges billed for all the various things that can happen around the state. You've got probably hundreds of thousands going out into the wilderness all the time (as most of the state is wide open and rugged in many places). My view of the feeling of the people is that anyone could go out and get into trouble (in any number of places) and that's just a public service for anyone (of the public) who happens to get into trouble at various times.
Now, Mt. Hood is a fairly well-known spot for many things. Even the common man on the street can go up to the top of Mt. Hood on a nice summer day (still glaciers up there, though) and come back down without hardly a problem. And they do. But, when the weather changes drastically and suddenly, people do get into trouble.
In other words, I think the public there (in Oregon) knows how easy it is to get into trouble in so many place in the state, that they don't want bills coming in for that kind of thing.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Did I SAY "on Mt Hood, hmm?
I was referring in general, to the previous posters generalization of charging rescuees for the cost of the helicopter, etc.