Should Risky Hikers Pay for Their Own Rescue? One Sheriff Thinks So
Every year, search and rescue teams in the wild areas around Mount St. Helens are called out to help people in trouble. Lately, the number of rescues has been climbing, and some of the emergencies have left local officials frustrated. Stories range from a young man who kayaked over a waterfall and suffered a spinal injury, to a woman who slid down a snowy slope and hit her head on a rock. Each of these rescues took hours and required teams to trek into remote, rugged terrain.
Now, the sheriff in Skamania County, Washington, is considering a new approach: making the most reckless adventurers pay for their rescue. The idea is to introduce a local law that would allow the county to bill people if they are found to have acted carelessly or ignored warnings, leading to a costly rescue operation.
Sheriff Summer Scheyer says the goal isn’t just about money—it’s about discouraging risky behavior that puts both hikers and rescuers in danger. “I need to find a creative way to deter the current behavior we are witnessing while attempting to recoup the financial burden placed on our county,” she explained. The plan is still in the works, but it’s already sparking debate.
Skamania County isn’t alone in facing these challenges. Other places, like parts of Utah and New Hampshire, have also looked at ways to hold hikers accountable. In New Hampshire, for example, people can buy a “Hike Safe Card” to help cover potential rescue costs, and those who ignore safety rules may be billed for their rescue if they don’t have one.
Not everyone supports the idea. Some search-and-rescue groups worry that charging for rescues could make people hesitate to call for help, leading to even more dangerous situations. Most rescues are handled by volunteers, and many missions are over quickly and cost little. Still, as more people head into the backcountry—sometimes unprepared or ignoring warnings—the question of who should pay when things go wrong is getting harder to ignore.
For now, the debate continues. Should thrill-seekers who take big risks be responsible for the cost of their own rescue? Or does the spirit of adventure come with a safety net for all, no matter the circumstances? Skamania County may soon have an answer.