This maybe to much Big Brother or Self Policing BUT;
What about a Hiker ID Card where a through or section hiker could get a photo ID card after submitting certain personal information and paying for a back ground check.
I’m a part time life guard at the local pool attached to a High School, and all employees of school need a drug and police back ground check. So I could prove that at least I don’t have a jail record.
Just thinking,
_Rocky65_