Sue, I do too. Although, I use my own personal hiking gear, and may have a hard time trusting someone elses, with the exception of community gear (ropes, litters, etc). Normally, if we are there for longer than one period (about 12 hours), the red cross, or volunteer folks from the local community will come out & feed us. Which is nice.
I was on the Molly Bish search team when she first disappeared. Then, when they found a couple of clues a year or so later, I was on THAT team. Her parents personally came out & thanked us each individually that day. That, to me, is what its all about. WE have an excellent PIO who talks with relatives, and let them know whats going on. The Bish's understood we were doing all we could. My heart goes out to them to this day.