#MountainClimbing #Adventure #Outdoors #SafetyFirst
🏔️ Mountain climbing is a hobby that requires massive amounts of taxpayer dollars when things go wrong. Whether it’s a dramatic rescue mission or the need for ongoing maintenance of climbing infrastructures, the costs add up quickly. As a result, many taxpayers are left wondering if the thrill of mountain climbing is worth the financial burden. In this article, we’ll explore the costs and benefits of mountain climbing, as well as important safety considerations for those considering taking up this challenging pastime.
The Cost of Mountain Climbing Emergencies
When you think about the cost of mountain climbing, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the expenses associated with gear and travel. However, the true financial burden becomes apparent when things go wrong. Consider some of the following examples of taxpayer dollars coming to the rescue in mountain climbing emergencies:
Search and rescue missions: When climbers get stranded or injured on a mountain, it often falls to local law enforcement and emergency services to conduct a rescue mission. Helicopters, trained rescue personnel, and other resources are required, all of which come at a high cost to taxpayers.
Infrastructure maintenance: Beyond the immediate costs of emergency response, there are ongoing expenses associated with maintaining climbing routes, trails, and other mountain infrastructure. Taxpayer dollars are often used to fund these efforts in order to ensure the safety and accessibility of popular climbing destinations.
Environmental impact: Mountain climbing can also have environmental repercussions that require costly cleanup and restoration efforts. From litter and waste left behind by climbers to damage caused by excessive foot traffic, the environmental impact of mountain climbing can be a drain on taxpayer resources.
Promoting Safe Mountain Climbing Practices
Given the financial implications of mountain climbing emergencies, it’s essential for climbers to prioritize safety at all times. Here are some important considerations for those looking to take up this adventurous hobby:
Proper training and preparation: Before embarking on a mountain climbing expedition, it’s crucial to receive thorough training and education on climbing techniques, safety protocols, and emergency response procedures. This can help minimize the risk of accidents and the need for costly rescue missions.
Physical fitness and health: Climbing mountains requires a high level of physical fitness and endurance. It’s important to prioritize regular exercise and healthy living in order to prepare your body for the demands of mountain climbing.
Respect for the environment: In order to minimize the environmental impact of mountain climbing, climbers should adhere to Leave No Trace principles and take steps to minimize their footprint in natural settings. This includes properly disposing of waste, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife habitats.
Emergency preparedness: Despite taking all necessary precautions, accidents can still occur in mountain climbing. It’s essential to carry emergency supplies, such as first aid kits, communication devices, and navigation tools, in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Mountain Climbing
While the financial burden of mountain climbing emergencies is certainly a valid concern, it’s important to consider the many benefits of this exhilarating outdoor activity. Some of the advantages of mountain climbing include:
Physical and mental health benefits: Climbing mountains provides an excellent workout for both the body and mind. It’s a great way to build strength, endurance, and mental resilience while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Personal growth and achievement: Conquering a challenging mountain peak is a tremendous accomplishment that can boost self-confidence and provide a sense of fulfillment. The experience of overcoming obstacles in a natural setting can also foster personal growth and resilience.
Connection to nature: As urbanization continues to expand, many people feel a disconnect from the natural world. Mountain climbing offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty and serenity of mountainous landscapes, fostering a greater appreciation for the environment.
A sense of community: Mountain climbing often fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among climbers. Engaging in a shared adventure can create lasting bonds and friendships with like-minded individuals.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue mountain climbing as a hobby is a personal one that should be carefully weighed against the potential costs and benefits. While the financial burden of mountain climbing emergencies is a concern, it’s important to consider the many rewards that this adventurous pursuit has to offer. By prioritizing safety, environmental responsibility, and personal growth, climbers can help minimize the impact of their hobby on taxpayer dollars while maximizing the value of their experiences in the great outdoors.
In my state if you’re going to the mountains unprepared and need to be rescued, they also present you a bill.
The worst part is it doesn’t matter if you lived, so mountain climbers can die knowing that they’ll still be a pain in the ass for the taxpayers for leaving their corpses and gears on the mountain for the next guy to find out
So is nation building.
Hey does unprotected sex. Especially if you are already poor.
And car crashes on normal roads.
People hike the Niagara Gorge where I live, it’s not even a very treacherous hike, every summer there are multiple helicopter rescues for the most basic injuries, and search and rescues for people who thought it was a good idea to take a selfie near the rapids and slipped in.
Not completely true. In the US, the NPS and most state agencies will bill you for rescue services. The coast guard will too.
There are insurance policies you can buy to cover rescue service fees.
The avid mountain climbers I know have some degree of coverage. Like their satnav beacon service comes with a $x a month fee to cover rescues.
Most people with seafaring boats have or should consider having a policy.
Um, no. Personal recreation activities are billed accordingly.
No it isn’t, I pay for health insurance and mountain rescue insurance.
And even with a rescue or two it’s probably much cheaper overall for whoever is paying the bills than living a sedentary life and having worse health in late middle age as a result.
SAR operations are often (and should always be, imo) free to preventing people from delaying rescue calls out of fear of being charged. Can’t speak to the hospital side of things but i would guess that mountaineering and outdoor injuries only make up a very small part of hospital operations. Our local SAR is funded by corporations, individuals, and the emergency response management office
wait til you find out about cars and the fossil fuel industry
So does flying commercial airlines
How the fuck is this a shower thought lol has this sub turned literal ? Jus stuff u thought abt while in the shower ?
I got “rescued” while mountain climbing; the gubmint decided to evacuate the route I was doing and sent a chopper at taxpayers expense. Though, given how much tax I pay they should consider keeping me alive as a fucking investment.
Wait until I tell you about this billionaire who built a submarine…
not on everest its not.
I plan to die like a man or become fully native if I need rescue.
I feel like you hear regular hikers get lost and has to get rescued way more often than professional climbers.
I have no data to back this up, but I reckon if all smokers stopped smoking and started mountain climbing, that would save tax dollars in health benefits
not in my country (austria)
we have socialized healthcare and lots of mountains
yet, if you need a heli because you can’t get off the mountain it costs about 5000€
my brother and his friend needed it one time and they split the bill
people that are regularly in the mountains usually buy a special insurance for this though
It’s not that expensive, those workers aren’t paid per rescue attempt as far as I know so it costs money to have them there regardless, and helicopters burn a couple gallons an hour, which isn’t absurdly expensive. In Switzerland, rescue is not free, and costs a few thousand dollars. The vast majority of mountain climbers don’t need to be rescued, so per climber this cost is tiny compared to all the equipment they’ll need.
I‘m in the alps, come summer every day we have several helicopters taking tourist hikers down to the hospital who went upwards of 2000m via cable car wearing flipflops and twistend their ankle or just plain get lost somewhere off the trail.
So be considerate and don’t tell people where you’re going when headed for the outdoors
on the other hand leading sedentary lifestyle is so good for taxpayers 👍🏻
$700b a year to the military but getting upset about lifesaving services using up “your” precious tax dollars? Cool.
That’s why I don’t do it, my concern for taxpayer dollars. Also, fuck mountain climbing.
Not always, it can lead to public infrastructure as well.
Like rainbow road.
Rescue insurance is really cheap where I live. You can even get a policy for livestock. Never needed it myself but a friend used the service this summer and the saved his life in 40 minutes.
True, but I can say that if they’re mountaineering, they are in excellent shape. Their fitness level gives them a much better chance of not being a drain on our systems from poor lifestyle related health issues
Same for sailing/water sports… hobby aviation