"Yup, lets make it back country only available to people with rescue insurance."

The problem is that many of the bozos don't learn. How many have you heard about that have been rescued more than once? Sometimes, the VERY NEXT DAY! Just what is it you think the world owes these guys?

You only speak of the cost to the so-called victim... almost like you're one of those who pull these bonehead stunts and expect to get pulled out of it for free. Volunteer or professional, what happens if a rescuer gets badly injured or killed trying to rescue some idiot? How much do you think it costs to care for a quadraplegic for the rest of his life? How about a funeral? How about supporting his little kids? Are the so-called victims going to ante-up then? No, they're not. They will just keep doing what they're doing, because they don't give a tinker's dam about anything but themselves.

There's just a lot of people who have short-range vision and long-range expectations... but only for themselves.

How about signs on the trails: "Be Stupid and Die". (Esp appropriate for NH.)

Sue