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Old 02-21-2010, 04:54 PM
 
Location: East Central Phoenix
8,042 posts, read 12,254,574 times
Reputation: 9831

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It's rather ironic that someone like me who usually calls for fewer laws and less government intervention would advocate a new law. However, we keep hearing about inexperienced hikers having to be rescued from various places. Most recently, there was a hiker who was stranded in the Prescott National Forest (after he walked too far away from his motorcycle and became lost). Quite often, there are reports about people having to be rescued from places like Camelback Mountain or Picacho Peak after not taking the necessary precautions.

We already have a "Stupid Motorist Law" that basically states if you drive through a flooded wash, unbridged crossing, etc., and become stranded, you pay for your own rescue. That has rightfully shifted the burden from the taxpayers to the person who is careless enough to think he/she can outrun a flood. The same kind of law should apply to hikers: if they're too inexperienced or incompetent to realize the dangers of climbing mountains, why should taxpayer money be used to subsidize having to search for them and carry them out???

The bottom line is: hiking is not a leisurely stroll through a park like some imagine it to be. It can be extremely dangerous and life threatening, especially in unfamiliar territory. Basically, you take the hike, you realize the risks, and you should pay for your own rescue should you become stranded or lost.
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Old 02-21-2010, 04:57 PM
 
Location: Eastern NC
20,868 posts, read 23,537,374 times
Reputation: 18814
Not only hiking but any outdoor activity should have laws like that.
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Old 02-21-2010, 08:10 PM
 
Location: Palmer, Alaska
894 posts, read 2,201,102 times
Reputation: 733
I strongly agree.
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Old 02-22-2010, 06:52 AM
 
42 posts, read 79,397 times
Reputation: 46
I agree entirely also. I was always taught that if you are hiking you should expect things to go wrong so that you can prepare accordingly. Having a nice new pair of hiking boots or backpack doesnt count for as much as what you have between your ears!
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Old 02-22-2010, 06:55 AM
 
Location: San Diego North County
4,803 posts, read 8,747,161 times
Reputation: 3022
I don't know...Ron White says that you can't fix stupid.
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Old 02-22-2010, 07:13 AM
 
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
17,531 posts, read 24,687,243 times
Reputation: 9980
But the stupid deserve to pay for their ownmistakes. How many times are they stuck on the side of a Mountain in 115 degree heat.
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Old 02-22-2010, 09:42 AM
 
Location: Baja Arizona
2,916 posts, read 8,346,834 times
Reputation: 1141
I believe that the "STUPID" we will always have with us... but do we need a law to cover every bit of stupidity that's out there? Not really. Personally, I'd prefer to have the smallest government possible.

However... even though I believe that there are plenty of responsible hikers and campers (etc) out there... climbing, walking, and sleeping all over Arizona with all manner of correct planning, synchronizing and good stuff, we will STILL always have that certain percentage of "stupid hikers" which do not EVER properly plan their hikes (or whatever outdoor activity).

These "stupids" will eventually need to be rescued from some mountaintop, desert terrain, mineshaft, or cave - and, yes... at the taxpayer's expense! Perhaps government could be expanded just enough to include some kind of "Stupid HIKER Law".



Now then... how about an addenDUMB to the current "Stupid Motorist" law (?) ... which will include being able to RESCUE Arizona's good and courteous drivers from those stupid HIGH-BEAM BLASTERS via a "DIM YOUR STUPID HEADLIGHTS" law?!
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Old 02-22-2010, 10:37 AM
 
Location: Verde Valley AZ
8,775 posts, read 11,901,361 times
Reputation: 11485
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZonyPony View Post
I believe that the "STUPID" we will always have with us... but do we need a law to cover every bit of stupidity that's out there? Not really. Personally, I'd prefer to have the smallest government possible.

However... even though I believe that there are plenty of responsible hikers and campers (etc) out there... climbing, walking, and sleeping all over Arizona with all manner of correct planning, synchronizing and good stuff, we will STILL always have that certain percentage of "stupid hikers" which do not EVER properly plan their hikes (or whatever outdoor activity).

These "stupids" will eventually need to be rescued from some mountaintop, desert terrain, mineshaft, or cave - and, yes... at the taxpayer's expense! Perhaps government could be expanded just enough to include some kind of "Stupid HIKER Law".



Now then... how about an addenDUMB to the current "Stupid Motorist" law (?) ... which will include being able to RESCUE Arizona's good and courteous drivers from those stupid HIGH-BEAM BLASTERS via a "DIM YOUR STUPID HEADLIGHTS" law?!
I really hate all these "protect us from ourselves" laws they have to come up with but with so little common sense in use these days, I guess it's inevitable. I was REALLY happy when they started charging idjits for getting stuck in flooded washes!
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Old 02-22-2010, 11:07 AM
 
Location: Baja Arizona
2,916 posts, read 8,346,834 times
Reputation: 1141
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat View Post
I really hate all these "protect us from ourselves" laws they have to come up with but with so little common sense in use these days, I guess it's inevitable. I was REALLY happy when they started charging idjits for getting stuck in flooded washes!
Yep! I guess we need to recover some of the loss somehow!
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Old 02-22-2010, 11:20 AM
 
1,632 posts, read 6,841,325 times
Reputation: 705
I remember the lost hiker who set a signal fire for rescuers and ended up burning a huge percentage of Arizona's pines a few years ago.
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