Clearly, it’s that time of year again.
Just like early in the spring, when bears are leaving their hibernation spots to feast on newly-greened vegetation in the valley bottoms, it’s time for a seasonal warning.
But in January, when bears remain snugly hibernating, this warning isn’t related to bruins. Rather, this warning is in respect to another of Mother Nature’s works – avalanches.
Virtually everywhere, the avalanche rating is high and three Albertans last week, two in Kananaskis Country’s Burstall Pass (see page 10), were killed when avalanches swept down on them.
Please, anyone with any plans at all to be in the backcountry, take heed.
As of Wednesday (Jan. 19), the avalanche danger rating in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks is high at virtually all elevations. As well, recent snow is listed as being extremely reactive to light triggers at all elevations (as in stepping in the wrong place).
The avalanche risk in K-Country is high for alpine and treeline areas and is expected to remain at considerable for a period of time. In the south Rockies region, risk is considerable in the alpine and in the south Columbia area of B.C., the risk is considerable.
Before heading out, please check avalanche reports at www.avalanche.ca
The language used in the reports should be enough to keep anybody from taking chances – Parks Canada strongly recommends the general public avoid areas where the avalanche danger rating is high or extreme. Any travel in these areas should be restricted to simple terrain or kept within the boundaries of a ski resort.
Further, a flight over the forecast area in good visibility showed evidence of a widespread natural avalanche cycle. Many of these avalanches propagated over large distances (up to one kilometre) and ran to the very end of the runout zones.
And again, people in the backcountry, and this includes snowmobilers, should take it upon themselves to be fully equipped with tranceivers and other emergency gear.
Do not be like the Calgary sledders stuck in the Crowsnest Pass last week who went out with little experience with snowmobiles and carried no emergency gear. They headed out in the evening, their sleds became stuck, they couldn’t dig them out and they were completely unprepared, equipment-wise, for an overnight stay.
Actions like the Calgary sledders are simply irresponsible and put the lives of rescuers at risk, as well as their own, by being naďve or negligent about safety issues.
Just like in summer, when it’s incumbent upon both front and backcountry users to be properly prepared for human-bear incidents, winter backcountry enthusiasts must take responsibility to ensuring their own safety as much as possible.
Do you really want the story of your life to end because you were ill-prepared for whatever recreational pursuit you were pursuing?
We think not.
Finally, have a thought to how a lack of preparedness could affect loved ones, not to mention rescue experts whose job it is to attempt to save or remove you from a natural disaster scene – or one you created yourself.
