I have no illusions about any equipment requirements actually preventing anyone from attempting to power hike across Glacier National Park with nothing but tennis shoes and a jockstrap with a pack of Tic-Tacs stuffed into the waistband. National parks and forests are not, for the most part, surrounded by unclimbable fences and guard towers. Odds are you will be able to do it and get away with it. If you really want to do something stupid your facing a fine and a stern talking to, not a firing squad.

People likely to demand their right to do something egregiously stupid can still do it. The odd chance of getting caught and paying a fine is just part of the cost of doing business and part of the roguish attraction of being an outlaw, young, and stupid. The fine might be thought of as just removing some of the financial incentive to try to skate by with less equipment and shouldn't give anyone pause if they are dead set on doing it their way.

I definitely don't want to get into a situation where we have to compromise the humanity of the society by withholding help and rescue for people who fail to comply with an equipment list. In the abstract refusing rescue and assistance sounds like rough justice. But long term, when the event inevitably rolls around, it isn't worth it to the society and its view of itself as a just and generous people and withhold help to people in trouble. The standard is, and has to remain, that smart or dumb, well equipped or skating fast over thin ice, if you get into trouble we do everything possible to rescue you. It is who we are. It is how we roll.