A recent regulation issued by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region requires outdoor adventurers to foot the bill for outdoor emergency rescue and the cost could be as high as 30,000 yuan ($4,698) per hour if rescuers use a helicopter, news site cnr.cn reported on Friday.
But Li Kefeng, deputy head of Xinjiang Bluesky Rescue Team, said the high expenses are unaffordable for many, suggesting the cost be shared by exploration or adventure teams, the government and activity organizers.
