Reader comments
Rescuers get hikers 'out of a pickle'

send 'em a bill | 12:56 a.m. June 24, 2008

I'm glad they made it out safely. Now make sure they pay for the cost of their rescue, and everything will be fine. They'll certainly go better prepared next time!

ditto on the bill sending | 7:52 a.m. June 24, 2008

Glad you guys made it out safely, but now it's work-release time to pay off the debt paid by the selfless and courageous search and rescue crews.

Kudos to all for a happy outcome.

Johnny Utah # 9 | 8:18 a.m. June 24, 2008

Re: send 'em a bill | 12:56 a.m

Maybe they should have ran their credit before they made the rescue attempt? c'mon, have some compassion.

Sounds like they went very prepared, more prepared than most hikers I have seen. I'm sure an expert hiker like yourself has never made a navigational mistake? Stuff happens beyond our control, and sometimes requires aid from others.

I sure hope you never get lost in the mountains, with your attitude, you may not get rescued.

I'm glad you made out ok boys.

Comments continue below

mom | 10:53 a.m. June 24, 2008

We pay taxes to pay for rescues like this. Let's be a little more compassionate.

Prepared? | 11:21 a.m. June 24, 2008

A sandwich and gallon water is prepared? Doggie food is prepared? How about some climbing equipment and some experience?

These "adults" got themselves into a mess and should have to pay the costs it took to get them out.

julie | 1:15 p.m. June 24, 2008

Just relax people, do you pay the fireman who puts out the fire in the accidental house fire? They didn't go out and try to get lost. The brave people who sign up to rescue I'm sure didn't go into it thinking "I will only do this if the people I find pay me back."

Re: Prepared? | 11:21 a.m | 1:17 p.m. June 24, 2008

Yes, prepared enough to survive the night in the mountains. Are you going to carry ropes, crampons, an ice axe and a weeks worth of food on a day hike in the summer? No. It's impossible to be prepared for everything. You gain experience by going through things like this. It could happen to anybody.

Navigation Error? | 1:18 p.m. June 24, 2008

A hiker that respects the mountain won't stray from established trails.

I think they should pay for the rescue as well. Very irresponsible of "adults" to find themselves in a mess like this.

Gratitude | 2:11 p.m. June 24, 2008

I'm Taylor's aunt, and I live several states away in Texas. I'm thankful for those who helped him and his friends get rescued, and glad my brother was able to hug his son at the end of this big ordeal. It could have been worse, and I'm sure each of the young men learned from this. Thank you to the rescue team, as Taylor means the world to me.

Who is responsible? | 2:27 p.m. June 24, 2008

Is there are charge for search and rescue? I agree they should be held responsible for their rescue. If I got a flat tire on the freeway and was unable to get help from anyone but a professional...I would indeed be billed for a tow truck. I think it is frustrating to people when we hear of well intentioned escapades leading to worry, expense, and potential harm to both the inexperienced thrill seekers and the expert rescue teams. I think the boys and the father should be embarrassed, not celebrated. This time they were spared any major consequence for poor decision making skills...next time they may not be so blessed.

Anonymous | 2:54 p.m. June 24, 2008

Being responsible is important in all areas of one's life. I hope these young men learn something from this lesson. 1. Do not stray from established trails, in life and on a hike. 2. Be prepared for all eventualities. 3. Be sure to always say thank you and strive to improve in all things.

Gratitude | 4:21 p.m. June 24, 2008

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the manner in which this unfortunate accident was handled by the SL County Sheriff's Department and the selfless volunteers.
They're professionalism and attention to detail was very impressive indeed. The outcome of a terrible situation like this could have been dramatically different without them. So thank you!
We can all feel safer when we visit the outdoors here in northern Utah with men and women like these ready to step in and help if our situation becomes dire.

Utah Adventurer | 5:21 p.m. June 24, 2008

Re: Anonymous | 2:54 p.m

I really hope people do not listen to your post.

"1. Do not stray from established trails, in life and on a hike."

How would we ever discover anything new? Nobody would have ever climbed Everest.

Ex-SAR member | 7:21 p.m. June 24, 2008

Re: Billing for rescues

As an Ex Search and Rescue member (volunteer), I'd have to say that billing folks like these for rescue is a bad idea. Yes, they made a few mistakes. Yes, they were somewhat underprepared (but better than many I've gone looking for). But, when the trip went bad, they did the right thing. Once they realized they made a mistake, they holed up and called for help.

If people think they're going to be billed for a rescue, they tend not to call for help (thinking they can get themselves out of trouble). Here, the likely result of that would have been a serious accident or death.

Now, if they go back and repeat their mistake again and need a second rescue, thn you might have reason to think about a penalty...

P.S. Utah Adventurer is right. How do you think the "trails" got there in the first place?

Ditto, Gratitude | 12:43 p.m. June 25, 2008

Thank you, Ex-SAR Member, for your wise and kind words. I, too, am intensely grateful that my cousin Taylor made it out ok. It's a sad thing to see that so many of you are calling for these young men to pay for a rescue that shouldn't have happened, but did anyway. You can't always be prepared for incidents like these, so I am simply thankful for the brave SAR teams that perform such selfless service to complete strangers.

Taxes and Volunteers | 3:30 p.m. June 28, 2008

Yes, thank goodness that my tax dollars go towards social services like this and that there are people like SAR who volunteer and give back to our community. So many programs like this are being cut because we don't like to pay taxes. As we are in a time of change...for those of us who appreciate, use or want these programs...know who you are voting for come November. I hope these young men and thier families realize this and are willing to proundly pay taxes and pay the favor forward to others in need.

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