Experts working on backcountry code of conduct
Posted December 14, 2013 11:13 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Safety experts are drafting a backcountry code of conduct as more people plan to head out of bounds and onto local mountains.
The plan is to have a standard code all across Canada.
Whistler Question editor Andrew Mitchell explains the panel consists of those from the search and rescue field, avalanche experts, and ski and snowmobile guides. “I think they want to get some signage up at the main entrances to the backcountry on Whistler and Blackcomb. Perhaps from there it can spread to other backcountry access spots as well. As you know, there’s tons of backcountry opportunities up and down the corridor. It’s just sort of a draft at this point.”
He adds the core of the discussion is the need for backcountry travellers to be equipped with self-rescue equipment and appropriate communication devices.
On average, 10 people die each year in BC while skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling, with 15 more dying of exposure.
Mitchell says on fresh powder days you can see lines of people hiking out-of-bounds. “Just a train of people heading into the backcountry. A lot of them have taken avalanche courses, a lot of them know the alpine responsibility code. Just for the numbers that are out there, they thought maybe it’s time to do a similar thing to the alpine responsibility code for the backcountry.”
