*** New Hampshire May Fine Reckless Hikers *** From: Simpson, Jr, Joe B. To: Subject: FW: NH Says It May Fine Reckless Hikers Date: December 29, 1999 21:41 Wednesday December 29 10:08 PM ET NH Says It May Fine Reckless Hikers By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press Writer NORTH CONWAY, N.H. (AP) - Hikers who head into New Hampshire's mountains unprepared often pay for their mistakes by getting lost. Now they may have to pay to be found. State Fish and Game officials on Wednesday launched an effort to warn hikers about the dangers of hiking without taking proper precautions, and to bill them if they must be rescued. ``This is to prevent unprepared individuals from being the cause of life-threatening rescues,'' Fish and Game Col. Ron Alie said. The warnings include signs with checklists for what people need while hiking, from sweaters, mittens and compasses in the summer to snowshoes, extra food and ice axes in the winter. Others warn people to turn back unless they are in good physical condition and well-equipped. One sign designed for Mount Washington reads: ``Stop. The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure even in the summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad.'' The average rescue of a lost hiker costs New Hampshire $3,000. Annually, the state spends $130,000 on such rescues. The new policy, which re-emphasizes existing laws, does not allow the state to recoup its costs. Instead, any fines collected will be given to the New Hampshire Outdoor Council, a private, nonprofit organization that gives grants to private volunteer rescue groups. It can cost up to $4,000 to equip a volunteer rescuer. Peter Crane, who heads the council, said getting fine money is secondary to educating hikers about the possible dangers of venturing into the wilderness in rough weather. ``The ideal outcome is that there's not an extra penny coming in,'' Crane said. For decades, authorities have considered making it easier to charge people for reckless hiking. Some high-profile rescues have led to calls for careless hikers to be held accountable. Volunteer rescuer Albert Dow was killed in an avalanche in January 1982 while trying to help two ice-climbers who were stranded on Mount Washington for four days. More recently, Rejean Gauthier, 47, was rescued near Mount Eisenhower last January. He forged into a blinding snowstorm and lost the trail, then dialed 911 on his cell phone. When the weather improved, he called back to say he no longer needed help. The next day, he called again. He still wasn't out of the mountains, but he was out of food and he wanted to be rescued. Despite such cases, authorities said the only person who has been fined for his rescue was a man who was drunk on Mount Moriah in 1989.