At first I was going to side more with john's "they shouldn't HAVE to but they should be somewhat responsible".. presuming they aren't dead. I don't quite agree with burdening the deceased family with debts as that would be excessive.

Although this is reasonable, i'm not sure if it's the same as seat belts or helmets

 

care to explain how it is different?

 

Yes if they did that right now, but if law were passed that made recoupment the responsibility of the climber(s) and their families there would be no excuse. They could fight it in court if they chose to and that would set precedent.

It would also make it the responsibility of each climber to either accept that they or their family may have the burden of cost if something were to happen and they can weight the thought of if they want that cost to be the burden of their wife, kid, mother or father etc. This would cause the family to also urge them to carry the thing because they wouldn't want the cost of rescue or recovery on their heads along with a dead loved one or hospital bills.

 

Yes, but again, you have to think realisticly about these things. Climber dies, leaves sweet little housewife as a widow with their three little toddler children. State goes after this poor defenseless woman for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Seriously, something like that would never fly.

 

Sure would make him think long and hard about carrying that transciever wouldn't it?

Like I said, if you love your family don't stick em with the bill...if you don't give a shit then do as you like. They know the risk plain and simple and got caught on the wrong side of it.

These guys up there right now, spring will come and other hikers will find their bodies. At that point they can just drop em over the side of the snow field and sled them to the bottom to be collected. Forget searching for their dumb asses

 

How about if they refuse to carry a beacon, then nobody bothers to search for them. If they're that idiotic, fuck 'em.

 

The only logical argument I can think of is people don't want to wear beacons so they can't be illegally traced. Wireless security is a big issue especially to those who like their privacy. Do these beacons have to be 'activated' or are they always on?

 

Personal freedom, and personal responsibility.

You can't force someone to. And you shouldn't be able to force someone to wear a seatbelt.

If they don't want to, it's their own retarded decision.

What happened to being able to make your own decision?

 

I disagree with seatbelts, I think that should be a mandatory law because YOU not wearing a seatbelt can directly harm others.

 

so can not wearing a condom. financially and mentally.

Should the government mandate you wrap your willie?

Or maybe people should just take responsibility for their actions?