Beautiful backcountry abounds in the South Cariboo – perfect for winter recreation.
It does come with some peril, however.
A group of public safety agencies released some information recently about how British Columbians can stay safe outdoors during the winter season.
“Research looking at coroners' statistics shows an average of 10 persons die each year in B.C. while engaged in winter activities, such as skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling,” says Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner with the BC Coroners Service.
“Another 15 or more persons die each year from hypothermia or exposure to cold. These are numbers we all need to work together to reduce.”
On average, 14 people in Canada are killed in avalanches each year, based on data from the Canadian Avalanche Centre. Slightly more than half of those deaths are B.C. residents and about 40 per cent are snowmobilers.
The South Cariboo Search and Rescue avalanche team, headed by Shane Gunn, is planning a pre-season safety and avalanche review session at the South Cariboo Search and Rescue (SCSAR) Hall on Horse Lake Road in 100 Mile House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7.
On Jan. 18-19, the SCSAR will be hosting a Canadian Avalanche Association AST-1 course, which coincides with Avalanche Awareness Days 2014.
Gunn took an avalanche safety and skills course in Whistler organized by the Canadian Avalanche Centre. He hopes to help educate and train people – sledders and skiers – going out in the backcountry.
The course offers information on avalanche conditions, determining safe routes of travel, self rescue and companion rescue and how to use different types of equipment.
Gunn says three important safety issues are getting the training, having the right equipment and planning your trip according to conditions.
“Avalanche forecasting is a science. Everybody imagines these big long hills that we see up in the alpine, but even on smaller slopes you can still get circumstances when they'll slide and people can be caught in them.”
Gunn talks about a December 2007 avalanche that killed two men snowmobiling on Mica Mountain.
“That affected a lot of people locally. That had a big impact and started making people [more aware of the danger] of avalanches.”
For more information about the courses, visit local snowmobile dealerships in the area or contact Gunn at 250-945-9450.