$5 device could prove priceless

Something's wrong when you hear about three hikers lost in the snow — and grimace.

I was worried about them. Relieved, too, when I heard that the hikers trapped on Mount Hood last weekend had been rescued with their dog. But I was more miffed that three seemingly intelligent people had ignored weather reports and their own limits and ventured onto the mountain. As they descended on Sunday in blowing snow, they fell down a steep, icy slope. What saved them? Searchers, bless them all, but, more importantly, an electronic locator the trio had rented for $5 at the base of the mountain.

That 5 bucks may have saved their lives, the dog's life and the good folks who went after them.

So why aren't locators required, like seat belts are for drivers and helmets are for motorcyclists in Oregon and Washington?

Earlier this week, Oregon lawmakers began debating a bill that would require climbers who intend to go above 10,000 feet on Mount Hood from November through March to carry locators.

The bill was introduced by state Rep. John Lim after three climbers died in December.

Why split hairs over elevation or season? The locators should be added to every gear list handed out to hikers in the Northwest. How hard would it be to add an 8-ounce locator in with a plan, a map, a compass, a pocketknife, waterproof matches, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a cellphone, batteries and rain gear?

Hard enough for the mountaineering community fighting Lim's bill. They say locators could change the nature of the sport and give climbers a false sense of security.

Gordon Janow, the director of programs for Alpine Ascents in Seattle, said locators should only be required in "prone" areas: Early season, or with new or high levels of snow.

"There are many climbers with a 'go light' attitude," Janow said.

Requiring that they carry a locator is like requiring that an Eagle Scout carry a lighter. It's insulting. Mountaineers pride themselves on their survival skills, Janow said.

"It's hard to get people to stop doing what they love, even if there are inherent dangers."

Also working against the bill is the fact that rescues are often conducted by volunteers.

"It costs taxpayers virtually nothing to mount these searches," said John Urquhart, spokesman for the King County Sheriff's Department.

Some have suggested charging a recovery fee to those who get lost. Denali National Park in Alaska charges a $250 nonrefundable climbing fee, in case a rescue is required.

But King County is against that, Urquhart said, because people would be less inclined to ask for help, and families would do the searching.

"We don't want to search for the whole damn family," he said.

And we will continue to search here, 12 months of the year, he said. It's the price we pay for living amid such beauty.

I better get used to it, he said. After all, "people don't go out intending to get lost."

True. But just in case, it might be good if there's a better way to find you.

Nicole Brodeur's column appears Tuesday and Friday. Reach her at 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com.

She came close on Mount Baker.