I suspect the closure is subterfuge.
It seems likely that a manager made a bad judgment sending a ranger and an aide to help the hikers. The ranger and the aide may have also made bad judgments. The land managers and their employees try to cover up their mistakes. Their culture celebrates risk taking and a false belief they can do anything. That leads to bad judgment.
Blaming foolish hikers diverts attention from their failures.
I suspect this to be subterfuge because I have seen that happen multiple times. That is, unfortunately, not all they will do. They will do almost anything to protect their honor. They make misleading statements and worse to cover up their mistakes. Deny. Distract. Feign indignation. They even fiercely attack anyone who criticizes them - even government watchdogs like OSHA and inspector generals. Within these organizations, covering up mistakes and attacking critics is considered loyalty.
This is what I have seen.