May is my least favorite month in Colorado. We are teased into believing spring is here and summer will soon follow.

But May is mercurial. Seventy-degree temperatures are often followed by cold rain or snow and can turn a pleasant hike into a muddy, wet slog. For that reason, shorts and tennis shoes are often bad choices for May hikes.

In April, there were several rescues in Summit County on a popular Colorado peak. Had hikers made better equipment choices or chosen better routes, Search and Rescue might not have had to pull them out of dicey conditions.

We are so fortunate to have SARS volunteers across our state. I have a nephew leading a team in Gunnison. He says he loves it — even when he’s called out in the middle of the night. But he gets frustrated when poor judgment forces his team members into potentially dangerous situations.

Some states, including Colorado, have the ability to bill for careless behavior. Maine, Idaho, Oregon and Utah all allow authorities to charge for rescues under certain conditions.

Choose to bushwhack rather than follow a trail? Decide not to bring foul-weather gear, water or snacks? Require a helicopter rescue because you chose to proceed rather than return to the trailhead? You might be fined, and why not?

When senseless actions require resources and potentially put rescuers at risk, shouldn’t there be accountability?

Such laws are rarely enforced. New Hampshire, the home of the region’s highest peak (Mount Washington) is the exception. In New Hampshire, rescues due to negligence can cost $1,000 or more based on the cost of the rescue.

SARS volunteers generally oppose the idea of fines. They prefer for people to call for help without fear of penalty before the situation escalates and becomes even more dangerous for all involved. They would be grateful for better wayfinding signs along popular trails. And they appreciate public donations.

One way to support them is to buy a Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue Card.

We all can help SARS when we encounter a poorly prepared visitor or new resident on a trail. Casual, friendly advice about deteriorating weather or tough terrain ahead can prevent a hiker from becoming the next rescue mission. And let them know the hiking generally improves in June.

Susan Davies is the former executive director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition.