I remember Rosie O'Donnell pontificating on TV about the "millions" of dollars being spent on the search for the three climbers a few years ago. Disgusting. The only cost to the taxpayers was some overtime for the Hood River County Sheriff's Department and vehicle fuel. SAR personnel and the Civil Air Patrol are all volunteers. US military expense (mostly aircraft) is charged to training time, because the experience gained is far more realistic than simulated exercises.

More statistics than you'd ever want to know: State of Oregon SAR report for 2008

From this report, Portland Mountain Rescue put together these numbers for the amount of SAR incidents statewide last year:


Portland Moutain Rescue statement on mandatory beacon use and charging for rescues.
Mountain Rescue Association (national group) position statement on charging for rescue, after the New Hampshire incident.

This ought to give everyone enough to think about and discuss for a while!

If anyone has statistics at hand about the risk of driving to and from the trailhead (especially the "from," when you're tired), this thread would be a good place for them.