Tired from a tough hike? Rescuers fear Yuppie 911 (hikers abusing personal locator beacon)

Idaho Statesman ^ | 10/25/09 | TRACIE CONE

[Caipirabob]

FRESNO, Calif. — Last month two men and their teenage sons tackled one of the world's most unforgiving summertime hikes: the Grand Canyon's parched and searing Royal Arch Loop. Along with bedrolls and freeze-dried food, the inexperienced backpackers carried a personal locator beacon - just in case.

In the span of three days, the group pushed the panic button three times, mobilizing helicopters for dangerous, lifesaving rescues inside the steep canyon walls.

What was that emergency? The water they had found to quench their thirst "tasted salty."

[Caipirabob]

Per the article: If they had not been toting the device that works like Onstar for hikers, "we would have never attempted this hike," one of them said after the third rescue crew forced them to board their chopper.

This really pisses me off. It's a great tool, but for use as a last resort when you can't hoof it out on your own. We had an experience recently where we went on a hike that was perhaps challenging for me but brutal for some of our party. I ended up carrying someone up a mountain trying to beat sunset. We beat the twilight by 5 minutes, lesson learned and even then it would have been ok. I carry EVERYTHING and we even set up a camp for them to rest at one point.

At any rate, when you need rescue a device like this is indispensible. However they should have been forced to leave and pay all costs of the rescue on the first use of the device.

Anyway, thought a lot of our folks here would want to share my "mental face-slap" for these folks.

Cheers!

[Red in Blue PA]

Pathetic.

These people should find another hobby besides hiking, or take shorter hikes (but that would take common sense!)

Oh, and CHARGE THEM with the costs!

[cc2k]

If you are interested in this, You might find the replies on these other threads interesting as well:

• Tired from a hike? Rescuers fear Yuppie 911 (crybabies multiply)
• Tired from a tough hike? Rescuers fear Yuppie 911
• Tired From a Tough Hike? Rescuers Fear Yuppie 911

---

From the desk of cc2k:

Candidates I support: Doug Hoffman for Congress, NY 23rd (PayPal), David Harmer for Congress, CA 10th (website for info). Please, spread the word about these important special elections on November 3, 209: New York’s 23rd congressional district and California’s 10th congressional district.

[Doogle]

we should find their names and post them here....so in the future anyone doing a search would find the story....*devilishly rolling hands*....

[mbynack]

My dad use to say that four wheel drive allowed people to get stuck in more inaccessible places. It sounds like this is the latest version.

[6SJ7]

One evening the fathers-and-sons team activated their beacon when they ran out of water.

Rescuers, who did not know the nature of the call, could not launch the helicopter until morning. When the rescuers arrived, the group had found a stream and declined help.

That night, they activated the emergency beacon again. This time the Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter, which has night vision capabilities, launched into emergency mode.

When rescuers found them, the hikers were worried they might become dehydrated because the water they found tasted salty. They declined an evacuation, and the crew left water.

The following morning the group called for help again.

Aaaarrrgh! These hikers have zero consideration for the risk to the rescue team. The world apparently exists to serve them.

[SampleMan]

At any rate, when you need rescue a device like this is indispensible. However they should have been forced to leave and pay all costs of the rescue on the first use of the device.

Indeed!

[Condor51]

Tired from a tough hike? Rescuers fear Yuppie 911

I hate Yuppies.
IMO they should all be rounded up, their Volvos and Birkenstocks confiscated, and be forced to watch Cubs games 24/7/365.

If it doesn't kill em, at least it may cure em. (/s)

[Caipirabob]

DOH! Guilty...I didn’t do a search on this...Caffeine deprivation...

[Sgt_Schultze]

Obama voters

[garyhope]

“Obama voters”

You got that right. LOL

[Le Chien Rouge]

I am an experienced backpacker.

Once, I was on a solo overnight hike to Cold Mountain NC.

After I reached the top(10-12 miles from trailhead) and set up camp, I was approached by a 4 some of yuppies who were out of water, did not have a water purification system with them or any canteens yet had 4 bottle of wine with cheese!!!

[Condor51]

*** After I reached the top(10-12 miles from trailhead) and set up camp, I was approached by a 4 some of yuppies who were out of water, did not have a water purification system with them or any canteens yet had 4 bottle of wine with cheese!!! ***

You should have killed them and threw their worthless bodies into a ravine for the critters to feed on.

Just kidding. But I'd REALLY be ticked!

[Thrownatbirth]

I could open a store with all the abandoned yuppie gear I’ve seen along the trails on Spruce Knob, WV.

[Focault's Pendulum]

I am an experienced backpacker. Once, I was on a solo overnight hike to Cold Mountain NC. After I reached the top(10-12 miles from trailhead) and set up camp, I was approached by a 4 some of yuppies who were out of water, did not have a water purification system with them or any canteens yet had 4 bottle of wine with cheese!!!

Same here.

I was soloing a section of the AT when I came across a younger gent talking to his wife on a cell phone. It seems she was having a baby!.

He wanted to know if I had the Ranger Station phone# so they could pick him up. I told him, "you walked in, walk back out"! he was about 3 miles from the trailhead! A ninety minute stroll at best.

WTF was he doing hiking while his wife was expecting!!!