[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

So why do hikers get charged for a STARS rescue? I don't see a difference between somebody being an idiot on a mountain vs. being an idiot on water.

That's not always the case, and I think depends pretty heavily on what the people were doing. For example I'm pretty sure if you go skiing out of bounds you're in trouble as you've voilated a rule and will likely be on the hook for the rescue costs, but if you just get lost hiking in a national park the government foots the bill.