Do mountain climbers who need rescue pay for any of the cost?

Question

I admit that I don't get mountain climbing. While I admire the courage, desire, and motivation of climbers, I've never understood the "risk-reward" part of it.

The real question is based on the fact that people climb moutains in the middle of winter and sometimes need rescue. Of course, we regularly rescue others who have put themselves in harms way (campers, boaters, etc.) But shouldn't people who want to climb mountains in the middle of winter take out some sort of insurance against the cost of rescue, or buy a license that includes such insurance?

Answer 1

The type of rescue you're referring to is the type that makes it into the news. Mountain rescue teams rescue more people from lower levels than higher ones and conduct more rescues in summer than in winter (I know, I've been rescuing people from mountains for 15 years).

As for whether they pay anything - it depends. In most countries and states there is no cost, in others there is a charge levied if rescued and in some places compulsory insurance is required before setting out.

Mountain rescue teams are staffed by unpiad volunteers, the equipment and operational costs are met from donations. If military, police, parks authority, national guard or other personnel are involved then there is a cost to the taxpayer. But... these people would still be employed and costing the tax payer money if they weren't called out. The main costs to the tax-payer are the cost of consumables such as fuel and the depreciation and maintenance of equipment.

Additionally, if non-civilian personnel weren't involved in real rescues they'd have to train by staging simulations which are more costly and are less effective in training personnel.

There are some rescues which involve a huge amount of resources and do cost a lot of money but the majority are conducted at no cost to the public or are beneficial to the public as a whole.

Some years ago (1995 I think) I looked into this in great detail in respect of mountain climbing in Scotland. There had been a particularly bad season in which something like 54 people had lost their lives. All the organisations involved in search and rescue operations agreed that it was beneficial to them and when all factors were taken into consideration there was a saving of several million pounds being made.

One of the problems with introducing some sort of compulsory charge or insurance is the cost involved in setting it up and administrating it. Then there's the problem of definition - what constitutes a mountain, what constitutes winter, when does something become dangerous. Is it more dangerous to be up a mountain then in a desert or down a cave. Should ladies and the elderly have to pay more? The list goes on.

If some sort of charge is imposed then those paying the charge have legal rights and entitlements. The rescue service is no longer voluntary but compulsory and has to attend whether they want to or not. Not only that but they would be required under law to perform to a given standard.

Further, if you impose charges on mountain climbers do you do the same with people who go caving, abseiling (rapelling), bungee jumping, sailing, kayaking - the list goes on and on.

Answer 2

Yes, all the people who willingly engage in dangerous things, hang gliding, mountain climbing, river rafting, parachuting, and dumb @ss things like that and then screw up and get hurt or stranded, should be made to pay the bill for all resources in saving their butts. Vehicle accidents happen and many other things happen like fires and stuff, but if you "purposely" but yourself in a position where you could be hurt , then pay up and this also includes race car and motorcycles drivers/ racing. Yes they might be public servants and they are there to help, but if you put yourself in a position where the chances of being hurt are high, then pay up.

Answer 3

I know if they are lost in Greenland they are charged. Rescue helicopters there cost somethinthousands of dollars per hour.

Answer 4

I assume they do.