To be fair I don't see how he could be charged with manslaughter or anything like that. The decedent was an adult with plenty of experience and I assume signed a waiver when he joined the hiking club. The lack of a permit might be the only thing that he could be charged with. But it will be something at least. Remember, Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion.

For a while there was a hiking group in spfd led by a highway patrol guy (who coincidentally got a guy wrongfully convicted of murder years ago). He would have these massive camping weekends to try and sell outdoor goods to yuppies and he'd pull the same stuff. I remember trying to hike another relatively unknown trail and I must've had to stop for 20 carloads of his group in a place that could handle 6 cars at best. I despise big groups on trails. Especially for profit. If someone wants to see the things and places I enjoy I think that's something one should share for free.