[magduf]

What they need is a "stupid hiker fee". Some states require hikers to buy a hiking pass, and the fees for this fund rescues, but if someone doesn't get the pass and needs to be rescued, they can be charged the entire cost of the rescue.

[jschwartzi]

They could do that and also require people get a card that says they're aware of the dangers and have a minimal set of equipment such as the 10 essentials to ensure that they can survive while they wait for search and rescue, which could be overnight in bad enough weather.

[randogogogo]

<squinty face>This sound an awful lot like insurance.</squinty face>

[magduf]

Basically, that's what it is. The park or local government is selling these "passes" which really amount to insurance, so that that government has the money to pay for rescues if they need to (or if rescuees don't/can't pay), and maybe also for other expenses involved in park upkeep. "Use fees" for public parks are not uncommon. Virginia State parks generally charge such fees for parking, for instance, as does Grand Canyon NP.