"I find it impossible to believe that evey resource used in looking for these guys was at no cost to the taxpayers."
You're being deliberately deaf to what I'm saying.
For the last time:
The mountain rescue teams that go up on the mountain with crampons and ropes and ice axes and rescue gear are volunteer *mountaineers* who belong to 501(c)3 mountain rescure organizations such as Portland Mountain Rescue and the Crag Rats.
They are volunteers, not public servants. They do not accept payment or charge for their services (which is why they have 501(c)3 status).
Helicopter pilots are not "mountain rescue". The Hood River sheriff's office is not "mountain rescue". National Guard units performing support activities are not "mountain rescue".
The people on the ground, with gear and experience and determination, are "mountain rescue". The 70 guys on the mountain yesterday were "mountain rescue". Anyone with a red jacket that says "RESCUE" is "mountain rescue".
"Mountain rescue" does not cost the taxpayer one penny.
You can (and probably should) direct your efforts at completely defunding all SAR activities (e.g., military, local law enforcement). I wish you success.
Then you'll have nothing to say as mountain rescue activities continue unabated as they always have, with private funding and volunteer effort.