A guy at REI saw my hiking boots and thought they were really old since most of the tread was worn off and they were scatched up. I told him they were only six months old and he about shit. He told me he goes hiking in his treaded toe sock looking things. Bascically a water shoe. Seems to be the new way of hiking and climbing to go in as little as possible and hope you don't need anything and the weather will stay sunny. I guess they figure if something should happen they can just call 911 or the other people who are prepared will help there moronic asses.
This whole needing SAR and pay costs should just be based on a case by case basis, as has been pointed out already. If someone knowingly goes into the outdoors, or climbs a big mountain in total disregard for everything, they should be billed. This is negligence under the definition of the law. A normal person does not wake up and decide to climb to the top of Mount Shasta in the same clothes they would wear to go running down the street. I have been on both sides of this issue, as some on here know by other postings. I don't want climbers and outdoors recreationist to be charged or further regulated. Or be required to carry beacons and cell phones. I'm very much against this. But when someone is so oblivious and/or ignorant and/or reckless, then they should be charged. These people are ruining things for the rest of us. They will make it to where the rest of us end up paying more, and/or will be further regulated. I believe there should be a fine for these sort of cases.
I climb mountains in winter time. Many people outside the climbing world would say this is reckless. Many inside the climbing world would know this is safe as long as the proper precautions and prepareation are taken. I would say anytime you climb a major peak you are putting yourself in an element of heightened danger. Some would say this is reckless. But like anything, you do things to mitigate the risk. You prepare for the potential accident. You gain experience and training. This makes the sport safe to those who take part in it. But when you just disregard all elements of safety, reccomendations, warning signs, then you are creating a potential hazardous situation for yourself and others.
This whole debate comes down to common sense. If you have to take the time to think about wether your doing the right or wrong thing, then you are likely wrong. I don't want to get into personal attacks and arguements with people on here. But I see this new wave of people out on the hills and it is a problem. I think it's great your capable of climbing a 14,000 foot mountain in your underwear, that's great. But when I pass these people carrying nothing with them, I immediately think they have absolutly no knowledge of anything related to being out there, and should not be on the mountain. There is so much unpredictability on a high mountain, especially along the West Coast. There is this thing called the Gulf of Alaska. Any slight variation in weather out there, to include wind direction, can produce violent, localized weather on these peaks. I have been caught in this several times when the forecasts and weather models showed only mild conditions. These mountains create their own weather. Just because you can get to the top of a mountain in running clothes, doesn't mean you will survive to get back down. Most major peaks here have warning signs and lists of things you should have, as well current mountain conditions.