I am skeptical about the need for winch use in this case, but I believe AKSAR has nailed an important consideration - justifying the capability.

This applies to more than just helos and their winches. It is also a consideration for rescue organizations (and their wenches). If the outfit is called insufficiently, members lose interest and acquire other priorities. Regular exercise is good for organizations, as well as individuals....

Every request for assistance should be treated as an emergency, with prompt response, but I think that in this case, response by a ground team would have been fine.

I am reasonably familiar with the back country in question, and it is pretty mellow terrain. In fact, I am genuinely puzzled as to how the victim became disoriented. It is summer here in SoCal - temps are moderate and there are no storms of any consequence. But thank heaven he did not light a signal fire......

I agree that helos are wonderful tools, but they do have their hazards. The only SAR-related memorial service I have ever attended was for a pilot and copilot who crashed while returning to base from their last mission of the day. They had just dropped off two of our group.....