Requiring Communication Devices?
The ongoing discussion about requiring climbers in various locations to carry specific communication devices and climbers paying for rescue is discussed in a great article put out by the NorthWest Mountaineering Journal. Among other topics the article discusses common public perceptions about SAR, climber preparedness, risk compensation, charging for rescues, in addition to relevant SAR statistics. The Journal addresses many poignant questions including, "Should NPS mandate climbers to carry communication devices?" The findings, a resounding "No". Check out the entire article here.
I just saw 127 hours so I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I don’t think that the NPS really has the right to require climbers to carry devices, but it is a good idea if you are going alone. Anything could happen. I think the big thing is letting people know exactly where you are before you go.