Well and good. The specifics of this situation are illustrative of industrial grade malfeasance, though. It’s one thing to get caught out in bad weather, especially being in way back country.
Quite another to leave civilization with impending severe weather expected in the next 24 hours.
I’m inclined to agree with you whole heartedly. Forgive me if my previous post at it’s core contradicts this one. I carried up to 80 pounds which was back breaking work, for any and all contingencies. I also went as light as possible, sacrificing safety for less weight. I was never comfortable in such a posture, and regretted the decision almost immediately.
Some of the rescue communication devices offer an insurance plan for a nominal fee, intended to offset the rescue cost owed to the individual. I carried one of these devices, which acted as a constant reminder to weigh the outcome of my decisions so that I would not have to hit the rescue button.
I’ve had the trail disappear before my very eyes due to snow coverage, and I’ve lost the trail at 11,000’, requiring me to build an emergency shelter out of materials at hand, due to a bad decision to hike lightweight up Mt Whitney (14,508’) leaving my tent and sleeping bag behind.
The subject hikers were not in a life or death situation, as I understand the facts. They might have earned some slack if they were. Not sure how they made contact with their rescuers.