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one of the parties spent three nights in a tent with a fire going and none of them required hospitalization, so I think there was more than luck involved there
Agreed. I think these people deserve a little credit. There was more than luck involved based on what I've read so far.

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Just because SAR goes looking for you doesn't mean you're lost; and just because they find you doesn't mean you needed to be rescued.
Agreed. Very true.

Were the people that refused rescue even out beyond what was in their "trip plan"? I ask because I know for a fact that when I leave on a trip I tell my wife if she hasn't heard from me by a certain time/day then to call the calvalry and believe me she wouldn't think of calling them before that time/day reguardless of weather because there would be a 99.9% chance that we would just be wasting SAR resources that could be used for someone that really needs them. I stay out in all kinds of bad weather... intentionally.... and she is well aware of this. Now ofcourse if I don't report in when I say I will then that's another story. That's when she would "blow the rescue whistle". Hasn't happened yet though (knocking on wood). <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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