Hikers rescued from Appalachian Trail - Maryville Daily Times

[WhiteBlaze]

WLOS

Hikers rescued from Appalachian Trail Maryville Daily Times The North Carolina Helicopter and Aquatic Rescue Team has airlifted the three stranded South Carolina hikers trapped overnight on the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The three were taken to Asheville's Mission Hospital early ... Smokies rangers reach three Gaffney hikers stranded in snowSpartanburg Herald Journal Appalachian Trail hikers stranded in snow rescuedKnoxville News Sentinel Rangers reach hikers stranded on Appalachian TrailWSOC Charlotte all 62 news articles »

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[squeezebox]

Does anyone know if these 3 were charged for the cost of the rescue ?

[Mountain Dog]

of course they were charged, its called TAXES and fines.

[tiptoe]

You really have to wonder how many times this has to happen before people THINK before they head up a mounntain in winter with no shelter and cotton clothing.

[Tipi Walter]

Wow. They had the right tools for the job but then OOPS the job changed. "Supposed to rain" so says the Wee'tards(weathermen)and they believed him. The news woman said it "called for rain so they didn't pack any cold weather gear." And who brings a propane torch????

The worst of all? Bailing and calling for help. But wait! You still had 8 or 9 days to go!!

[hikerboy57]

this is an old story

[4eyedbuzzard]

Does anyone know if these 3 were charged for the cost of the rescue ?

Probably not as typically National Park Service does NOT fine or bill for S&R performed in National Parks using their own personnel and services, or personnel and services they request from other sources. Can they be fined/billed/subject to civil action? Yes. Likely? No.
Rescues in a National Forest are a whole different animal though as they often operate S&R under memorandums of understanding with state and local agencies who often can legally bill/fine. Typically the Forest Service (Dept. of Agriculture) doesn't have the staffing levels the Park Service (Dept. of Interior) does in the larger parks, and has a different overall mission as it applies to the lands they oversee.

[Feral Bill]

I expect the SAR folks would rather bail out fools than have people not call for help because they might have to pay, and end up dead. Otherwise, they would probably not be in the SAR game.

[4eyedbuzzard]

I expect the SAR folks would rather bail out fools than have people not call for help because they might have to pay, and end up dead. Otherwise, they would probably not be in the SAR game.

That is the consensus opinion by National Park Service, Coast Guard, and others.

[HooKooDooKu]

We've already got a 13 page discussion on this old new over here.