Even having beaurocrats checking your resume and gear is no safeguard. I've been into Katahdin five times in winter, each time subjected to the Mainiac Park guys prior to departure. We had no problem with that because it's a small price to pay for being in an unbelieveable place.
The last time in, however, we shared the cabin with a bunch of gumbys from down south who were hell bent for leather to get up the Cilley-Barber. After they got a pre-dawn start, we watched them crawl all day up the route and knew they wouldn't beat the dark. Long after nightfall, when one of the guy's girlfriend was freaking out, the Ranger arrived to recruit our help for a rescue as the weather had socked in and help from Millinocket was out of the question. We racked up and made plans to start up the peak just before first light.
Then, at 4:30 am, the guys staggered into the cabin exhausted after stumbling down the descent route with dying headlamps. Should they have been up there? Probably not. Were they in over their heads? Definately!!! Do they have an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives? Absolutely...
The skin of our teeth adventures can be the most sweet, assuming they end up OK and no one else is put at risk due to sheer stupidity. Accidents do happen, however, as being on any mountain can be a crap shoot. I've been on many rescues, and body recoveries as well, and have always offered to help because I would want someone else to do the same for me if the situation were reversed (so far, so good). If some inexperienced idiot gets in over their head, however, they should be prepared to deal with the consequences, be they financial or emotional.
It's great that we have the Mountain Rescue Squad to show the Forest Service that we can and will take care of our own and protect the right for anyone to choose their path in the Whites.
