With the recent tragedy on Mt. Hood in Oregon, the debate as to whether personal locator beacons should be required for all climbers has been revived. The issue was actually brought to the forefront back in 2007 when Oregon’s legislature introduced a bill that would require winter hikers to carry the beacons with them.

The original bill was a response to a very similar tragedy that occurred in 2007 where one climber was found dead and two others never found. Proponents of the bill say that the beacons would help search-and-rescue locate lost persons and reduce the risk and time spent rescuing them. On the other side of the argument, many believe that the requirement would give climbers a false sense of security and encourage them to risk more than they would if there was a slimmer chance of rescue.

If passed, locator beacons would be required on Mt. Hood, and available to rent for $5.

-via Sierra Blogging Post and LA Times Outposts