Editor's note: This updates with plans to use a helicopter to pull the trio out of the backcountry.
Winter's latest punch to the East caught three Appalachian Trail hikers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park unprepared and needing to be rescued by rangers, who called in a helicopter to lift the three out.
The three men from Gaffney, South Carolina, -- Shawn Hood, Steven White, and Jonathan Dobbins -- had set out from Fontana Dam on Thursday with plans for a ten-day hike. But last night they called rangers to say they were cold and wet and needed help as they were unable to walk and had no shelter.
Responding rangers were able to reach the trio -- all between the ages of 21 and 32 -- and brought dry clothing and tents.
"They are being treated for hypothermia and possible frostbite. All three are very weak and cannot walk," said Kent Cave, the park's supervisory ranger. "Plans have been made to extricate the hikers using a helicopter from the North Carolina Helicopter and Aquatic Rescue Team (HART) early this afternoon."
Overnight temperatures in the park were reported to be "in the single digits and winds gusting to 35 miles per hour made wind chills near 20 degrees below zero," the park reported. "Blowing snow created drifts up to two feet. Rescue efforts were hampered by weather, road, and trail conditions, as well as the remote, rugged location. The men were located some 5 miles from the nearest trailhead."
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And be certain you NEVER have an accident. Although I do have to agree that there may be times when the "victim" may really need to be billed.
There does seem to be a certain inconsistency when an ambulance company -- including those run by our tax-supported city or county fire departments -- may bill for ambulance services while SAR organizations may not. Not long ago one of my neighbors had a heart attack. Ambulance bill from the city fire department was over $600. When a family member needed ambulance services a couple of years ago in a city served by a volunteer fire and ambulance service it was over $1400. Happily, health insurance kicked in for both.
There are many places in the midwest where fire departments are actually fire companies in every sense of the word. Homeowners must subscribe for fire service every year. It's not terribly expensive, but because the fire service is not tax supported in those rural areas it's the only way the departments may support themselves. As you drive along roads there, you'll see what look like license plates attached to gate posts and mailbox posts. Those are the home's fire subscription identifier. If a fire department rolls up and there is no identifier on display, no hose hits the ground. But can you imagine the anguish of the officer in command who has to stand back and watch someone's home or barn burn?
I don't think I agree with that approach, but given the laws of the land there, what other options exist for the fire departments? Some folks in the fire service have taken to calling this the Tea Party Fire Brigade. Others claim it's simply wise use of taxpayer dollars to allow homeowners the freedom to choose.
Could or should we have Tea Party SAR teams?
Gee Rick, why am Im I not surprised that you confuse the expectation of personal responsiblity with a "total lack of compassion". Have you ever taken responsibility or have you always had someone pick up after you?
I've always been the one picking up others, but keep on guessing wrong.