Growing urbanization of the wilderness (Score 2, Insightful)

I spend a lot of my free time climbing and walking in the mountains. Call me an old fart, but I get outdoors to get away from the trappings of modern life. I often leave my cellphone at home, or in the car at the trail-head. I like to know that I need to be as self-reliant as possible while out in the wilderness.

The problem with a system like this, funded by taxpayers, where the rescue chopper is also funded by taxpayers, is that sooner or later some over-zealous legislator will get the idea that since this system reduces the cost and risk of rescues, it should be compulsory. Then they realize that it's actually quite expensive, and wilderness users should pay for it. Bang goes the wilderness experience. You might as well go to Disneyworld.

There is a growing trend towards cluelessness amongst outdoor users. Self reliance is a thing of the past. Hurt your ankle? Call a rescue! The fact that your hurt ankle is costing others money (unless you have rescue insurance), and putting others at risk, and impinging on other wilderness users doesn't seem to matter. Self rescue is an option. I was involved in a self-rescue, where the girl who was with us hopped for 10 miles over very rough terrain after smashing her heel. It was hell, but it is possible (and it's a good story).

You can buy so much cool gear for hiking/camping/climbing, people seem to think that you can buy safety, when the only thing that really helps there is knowledge.