Unprepared for hiking trip? You could get the bill for a rescue.
The UnionLeader.com posted an article about four teens who were rescued after becoming lost while hiking Saddleback Mountain in New Hampshire. After finding themselves cold, wet, and lost in a swamp around 1am the teens called 911 from a cell phone and rescuers were able to pinpoint their location using GPS technology. According to rescue officials, the teens were woefully unprepared for the hike and as such, they should be responsible for paying rescue costs. Among the mistakes made by the teens:
- The group began their hike at 7pm with a single flashlight which ran out along the way.
- The teens carried no water with them for the hike.
- None of the hikers carried navigation equipment of any kind (map, compass, GPS, etc.)
- Improper attire: one teen was wearing a t-shirt while another wore a gray sweatshirt in the midst of hunting season.
It seems the only thing the hikers did right was to bring a cell phone along (and I’d guess they probably had four of those 
). In any event, the cell phone ultimately enabled their rescue and allowed them to return home relatively unharmed.
It may surprise some to hear that local government agencies are charging rescuees for the costs associated with emergency response but this is becoming more and more common these days. In this case it sounds as if the teens are being charged due to their own negligence; If the rescue had been in response to an accident perhaps the teens would have been given a freebie. In any event, this is just one more reason to be prepared when hiking outdoors - you won’t want to get stuck with your own rescue bill!
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