The problem is, wilderness is killing way more folks than it used to, because of population growth, access, lack of knowledge, false confidence, failure to research conditions, failure to take maps and other necessities, no planning for emergencies e.g a headlamp, which can be life and death equipment even on an intended short hike). Accidents are so common, SAR is overextended, and the NPS now has armies of volunteers to head off folks who look like they might get into trouble (e.g. no water, inadequate footwear, dangerously exposed to heat or sun, no pack for a strenuous hike)…
In the “old days” (into the 1960’s in some places), it would take days (no roads) even to get to a mountain before you could climb it. There would be mule trains and basecamps, there was tried-and-true wisdom about what to carry (this is still true in historied clubs, but outside of those, folks are quite blasé IME) and what to wear. There were no guidebooks, incidentally (even well into the 1980’s in the Cascades where I hiked): you’d know the trails from more experienced members and took maps.