I don't see this being any different than the state trooper at the bottom of a snowy mountain road that won't let you start up the hill unless you have a 4x4 and snow tires. SAR is expensive. Anything that takes the search out of search and rescue is money well spent. Anybody that thinks they are too good of an outdoorsman to get into trouble is an idiot. S%*t happens! People take a tumble and break a leg. Why should the taxpayer pay for their mistake when taking a little bit of personal responsibility (carrying a PLB) would greatly reduce the cost of saving their skin.

I'm sorry, this is not a big brother issue to me, but just plain common sense. If you are going to engage in extreme sports and expect government resources to pull your fat out of the fire when you get in trouble, then the government should be allowed to enforce reasonable steps to preserve its resources.

Craig.